Readers' Stories New Age Tiscali

I am a Building Surveyor and in the twenty or so years I have been in this profession I have been in numerous properties where tragedies have occurred but usually I am aware of the events that preceded my visit, (fires, floods, the occasional murder etc.) and been able to take a deep breath and get on with the job.

In 1982 I was asked to look at a row of terraced shops. Three of the units had been knocked through to create one large shop but the first floors and attics had been neglected and my job was to assess the feasibility of turning the upper floors into flats. I called late one afternoon to have a quick look around in order to get an idea of the equipment I would need to carry out a full survey.

I had a wander around the first floors then proceeded to the attics. The left and centre attics were easily accessible via their original staircases and gave no cause for concern. I was surprised however to find that the stairs to the right attic had been boarded over creating a steeply sloping ramp which was extremely difficult to climb without ladders. Being much fitter than I am now I managed to clamber up the slope and entered the attic.

I was shocked to find that the room was fully furnished and decorated in a style that I would guess from old photos dated back to the 1920's. There were also many very old confectionery jars and biscuit tins in the room which would suggest the nature of the of the business of the shop many years ago.

As this strange sight was registering the room seemed to be getting colder, and goose bumps were appearing on my arms and I had a sensation I had never before experienced. I was definately not alone and I was being watched. It's fair to say that I left a very quicky! and thinking back I seem to remember sliding down the boarded over stairs on my backside.

I also decided that when I returned to carry out the full survey I would take someone with me. A mate of mine who I will refer to as Jim for the purpose of this exercise offered to help me out.

Jim had a reputation of being a "hard case" and without wishing to sound disrespectful was a bit of a know-it-all, loudmouthed character. I didn't mention my experience to him for fear of making myself look a bit of an idiot because if he knew then within days the rest of the world would have been informed!