THe Lady in White - That's life Magazine Issue 22

When my son Allan was three, my husband Mick and I moved to a townhouse. Allan's bedroom was at the top of the stairs, the only room available. "Theses stairs are steep" Mich said. "I hope Allan doesn't fall down them" "Ill watch him, don't worry" I replied.

One night, while Mick was working late, Allan was sleeping with our chihuahua Tuppy lying on the foot of his bed. After checking on them, I went downstairs to watch a movie. Then I heard a soft growling coming from Allans room. "Tuppy come here" I called, worried she would wake Allan. The growling turned into a frenzied barking. I got up to see waht was going on, but just as I reached the stairs, my legs froze. The barking increased. Has someone broken into allan's room? I wondered, alarmed. "Allan! come down here to mummy" I cried. Why wouldn't my legs move? "I can't mummy" Allan called back "this lady won't let me". A shiver ran down my spine. I tried to take a step, but something held me back. Tuppy's barking was now sounding more strangled. "Allan" I called again. "Come down this instant" "The lady in white won't let me! She's sitting on my bed" he cried. Then Tuppy came out of the room. She backed away from the door, her eyes fixed on something. Her little body shaking all over. She cowered down, then an icy blast came over me. For a second, I saw a woman dressed in white in front of me. The she passed right through me and was gone. Suddenly, the hallway was so cold I could see my frosty breath. Allan came out of his room - suddenly I was released. I dashed up to him. "Why didn't you come down to mummy?" I cried, hugging him. "I couldn't" Allan sobbed. "The lady said I had to stay in bed. She held my hand and said not to be scared" Tuppy sat quietly now. I checked Allan's room out. Nothing had changed. The window was shut fast. I've always wondered if that woman was Allan's guardian angel, stopping him from falling down the stairs. But what - or who - was holding me?