Tuesday Special: Cheryl Rees-Price

CHERYL REES-PRICE

www.cherylreesprice.weebly.com/

Do you believe in ghosts?
     It started as a nightmare, an unknown soldier, glimpses of a buried past. Then a death and the nightmares turn into hauntings. It’s time for secrets to be told.
     Alice is an ordinary woman, a good career, handsome husband and a comfortable home. But her life is suddenly thrown into turmoil when she begins to experience terrifying nightmares of a young soldier. These dreams set in motion a chain of events that irrevocably change her life.

     Life was idyllic for Alice Harper, a good career, handsome successful husband and an apartment on the Upper East Side of Manhattan. But her life is suddenly thrown into turmoil when she begins to experience terrifying nightmares of a young soldier. These dreams set in motion a chain of events that irrevocably change her life forever.
     The nightmares precede the sudden death of Alice’s beloved father and when her husband fails to comfort her she finds solace in the arms of his brother.
     As the nightmares intensify and merge with reality Alice begins to sustain physical injury and sees the ghostly figure of the soldier in her waking hours.
     Fearing for her sanity Alice must find the identity of the soldier and the link that draws them together.  Her search takes her from New York to a sleepy village in Wales. Here she meets a cantankerous old man who holds the key to unlocking a sixty year old tragedy which will save Alice from a similar fate.
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Chapter 1
     Alice Harper stood shivering in her nightdress, her cold hands rubbing her bare arms doing little to eradicate the chill that ran through her body. Turning around, she scanned her surroundings. She stood in a wide, dimly lit corridor that stretched beyond her line of vision. Large windows blackened by the night sky ran along one side of the corridor. The only light came from the dusty wall lamps that emitted a low buzzing sound as they struggled to illuminate the vast area. She had no recollection of how she came to be standing in this place, barefoot and alone.
     Wrapping her arms protectively around her body, she took tentative steps forward, the dusty grime from the worn floor gathered on the soles of her feet. As she walked, old picture frames housing anonymous portraits glared eerily at her. She averted her eyes from their gazes and quickened her pace. She needed to find a door, some way out. The lights flicked menacingly, and she stopped. Panic coursed through her veins as the light faded and oppressive darkness closed in.
     Alice groped around, the sound of her fear ringing in her ears, as each quivering breath and rapid heartbeat magnified in the silence. Her fingers met with the cold damp wall, and she flinched. She reached out again and, placing her hand against the wall, walked blindly on, using it as a guide.
     Outside, the moon escaped its captive clouds, allowing silver light to seep through the windows, bedecking the floor with patches of light. Alice moved into the moonlight, taking comfort from the pale glow, then hurried to the next window. She continued moving in and out of the light as she willed the moon to lend its light long enough for her to find her way.
     A glimpse of a shadow creeping across the moonlit floor made her freeze. She stayed in the shadows, watching until she could make out the silhouette of a man gliding silently along the corridor, until he faded in the distance.
     This person could help, she thought. She ran toward the figure, her bare feet stinging as they pounded the cold hard floor. As she drew nearer, her legs became unnaturally heavy. She slowed, her chest heaving as she dragged herself forward.
     Closer now, Alice could see that the figure was a tall man dressed in uniform. He took long strides, oblivious of her attempt to reach him. She pushed on, desperate to catch him. The stranger slowed his pace enough to allow her to gain on him. As she reached out to touch him, he stopped. She came to an abrupt halt to avoid crashing into the back of the stranger.
     The soldier stood motionless before her, shoulders straight and back ridged, the seconds slipped away while Alice, so close, couldn’t speak or move her hands to touch him. Her legs shook, threatening to crumple beneath her. He turned and fixed a piercing stare down on her face. She forced herself to look up into the face of the handsome young soldier, who towered over her petite frame. His uniform was buttoned up to the collar and his cap, tilted to one side, revealed a crop of dark hair. Alice saw no malice in his eyes, only sadness. He continued to stare, his expression softening as recognition reflected in his ink-blue eyes.


About Cheryl
     Cheryl Rees-Price was born in Cardiff and moved as a Young child to a small ex-mining village on the edge of the Black Mountains, South Wales, where she still lives with her husband, daughters and two cats.  After leaving school she worked as a legal clerk for several years before leaving to raise her two daughters.
 Cheryl returned to education, studying philosophy, sociology and accountancy whilst working as a part time book keeper. She now works as a finance director for a company that delivers project management and accounting services and sits on the board of a local circus company.
     In her spare time Cheryl indulges in her passion for writing, the success of writing plays for local performances gave her the confidence to write her first novel. Her other hobbies include walking and gardening which free her mind to develop plots and create colourful characters.