THE GHOSTLIGHTS.

 THE GHOSTLIGHTS

GRAINNE MURPHY

Ghostlights are likened to the twinkly lights as around a fairy e.g. Peter Pan. Tis said they could signify a missing one if they are seen at night, through a window.  The Irish are cultural mystics. Martin deceased, is mostly  referred to by his widow Ethel as ‘MartinGodBlessHim’ and she also constantly exclaims idioms such as ‘Jesus on the cross’.  

It is Easter in a very Catholic community. There is a Madonna statue which moves, (physically) apparently,  thus attracting tourists to the small village and the family guesthouse. The village has a lake and a popular walking track.   Our heroine Ethel with a barely secret drinking problem has two daughters, one grandson and a seemingly sensible male family.  Though presumed barely literate, the quietly spoken teenage grandson is something of a godsend.

The guesthouse needs rebranding after a guest is found dead in the lake by their guesthouse which is managed ably by one daughter. No more bnb it will go upmarket as a guesthouse and hopefully attract a more literary clientele.

Read of the resolutions of the sisterly rivalry, the drinking problem and what to do with the unidentified stranger in their lake. This endearing family drama matter of factly accepts the church’s social role in their small community rather than admitting belief in all its doctrines. Suicide has a stigma and the community has a non believer to bury.

That is their dilemma.

A charming story.