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I’m not lying.’
     
    Mr Allen was looking very cross and began to remonstrate with Diana once again. Matron held up a hand to forestall him.
     
    ‘And just who were David and Lorna then?’ she asked in a softer tone, keeping her restraining hand on Mr Allen’s arm.
     
    ‘They live here.’
     
    ‘Live here do they?’ she queried, raising her eyebrows.
     
    ‘Yes. David said his father is the Headmaster here, and Lorna is his little sister. I met them yesterday before lunch. They showed me around the garden and the glade in the jungle, down by where the monkeys live…’ her voice trailed away as Matron and Mr Allen exchanged looks.
     
    ‘What else happened, my dear?’
     
    ‘When we climbed in we heard yelling and shooting and then screaming. It was dreadful! David and Lorna were frightened, we all were. We waited until it all became quiet and then I climbed out. I left them in there.’ Diana’s eyes began to fill with tears. ‘We heard a lot of people being killed.’
     
    ‘Come and sit down, my dear.’ Taking Diana by the arm, Matron led her over to a nearby settee. ‘Now I’m going to tell you a story. Not a very nice one I’m afraid, but true nonetheless. Do you think you can be brave enough to listen?’
     
    With everything that Diana had heard that day she thought nothing could be worse as she nodded her yes.
     
    ‘What happened today actually occurred for real on February 15 th 1942. Have you heard about the Fall of Singapore to the Japanese army during World War Two? The Japanese invaded and the British army was defeated. David and Lorna lived here with their parents. Their father was a diplomat, but unfortunately diplomatic immunity didn’t save either him or his wife, the children’s mother. They, together with all their staff and servants were killed by the invading Japanese. David and Lorna did hide behind the mirror. Sadly, they were never found until some weeks later. Maybe it was fortunate, I don’t know, but it was terrible what happened to their mother and father. The children died in there. They are said to sometimes roam the house and grounds, especially around this time of year, February 15 th . A few people have seen them, not many I may add. You must have triggered something, maybe formed a bond with them that allowed them to trust you. Up until now, no one has experienced quite as much as you have. You must be a very perceptive person, my dear.’
     
    Trembling, Diana thought of David and Lorna. How happy they had been before venturing behind the mirror. ‘What about the jungle they led me into?’
     
    Matron shook her head. ‘It no longer exists. It was all cut down long ago. The jungle was where the family were originally buried, before the Anglican Church removed their remains to a proper burial ground.’
     
    ‘Oh. And the talcum powder?’
     
    Mr Allen looked confused.
     
    ‘Diana means the other night, Mr Allen. You’re too new to know this yourself yet. The talc on the beds and the sleepwear at the bottom of the fire escape has appeared a few times before. It’s the first time it’s happened since I’ve been here though. I believe it must be one of David’s little pranks.
     
    As Diana looked away, she swore she heard Lorna’s childish laughter and David’s gruffer voice echoing down the years.
     
     
     
     
     
    1 st July 2011. The Bamboo Mirror by Faith Mortimer
     

 
     
     
    The Cast Party
    by Faith Mortimer
     
    ‘It looks wonderful on you, Madam,’ the sales assistant said, giving the dress Linda was wearing a final tweak. ‘I think that shade of green is gorgeous, don’t you?’
    ‘Yes, it’s fab. How much did you say it was again?’
    ‘With a twenty per cent discount I can make it one hundred and fifty pounds. The quality is very good and I don’t think the style will date. I can see you getting a lot of wear out of this purchase.’
    Linda rapidly did some sums in her head. As an assistant stage manager, she thought her salary