The Mistress in Black by Rosemary Timperley

Rosemary Timperley was born in 1920 in North London and died in November 1988. Her father was an architect and her mother a teacher. Timperley went to her local girls school and became a teacher herself.
She taught English and History in a state school. Her pupils said she was a very dramatic figure (she ran the drama club) and wore long swirling black dresses with long drop or hoop earrings.
In 33 years, she published 66 novels and several hundred short stories. However, her ghost stories are the ones that people remember the most. She also put together a number of collections of ghost stories
She was editor of various editions of the Pan Ghost Book, including the 5th. This story The Mistress In Black was taken from that book published 1969.
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[@nancynickerson4341]

Thank you Tony. I'm enjoying your stories as I come off citalopram. So far so good.

[@carolynlewis9008]

Good for you!!! Each day gets better! It’s no easy task

[@jennamarie966]

I did the exact same thing coming off opiates several years ago. Putting your mind somewhere else does wonders and, eventually, every day gets easier. Best decision I've ever made. I hope it all goes wonderfully and you feel better soon!

[@gillianhill3196]

Me too. I was on a high dose - 40mg . Just got down to 20mg. Good luck.

[@maryeckel9682]

I hope you're doing well!

[@annicoyne2983]

Here's a confession... I don't normally have an interest in ghost stories... It is only your narration that has me following them, & I am gradually working out which writers appeal to me, this seems to be one I like. So more to be grateful for you.

[@barbarella6279]

I love your readings, you have such a beautiful voice and you really work with the text, never allowing the listener to lose focus or drift away. That is a gift, thank you for sharing it with us 🫂🥰 Much love /Maria

[@stevenmiller2427]

Outstanding reading and story 👏.

[@ClassicGhost]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@soundsilence2604]

Post-story chatter is like taking a flight from London to New York via Sydney, but I enjoy it as much as the stories themselves. 😉

[@martiwilliams4592]

Enjoy this tale so much, still one of my favorites,Tony, also this time. Thanks very much.

[@jodyharnish9104]

This story is a heartbreaker! The ending was a pleasant surprise, though.

[@martiwilliams4592]

Fantastic narration making one of my favorite stories even more vivid,. Thank you, Tony. Very much appreciated.

[@jenniferlevine5406]

Love this story! This is my second listening. I must read more of her work, it sounds very intriguing. Quite a character. Thank you for the chat afterwards, I always love that too!

[@rosiemcnaughton9933]

Excellent! I've never heard or read this one. Thanks!

[@donaldmccleary9015]

As always, great story and narration, Tony. I find so many good stories through your channel I never would find otherwise. Thank you!!

[@karans3307]

Shades of the Sixth Sense. Even down to some of the phrases. Wonder if M. Night read this? Thanks for the stories.

[@violetfemme411]

A personal favorite, made even more interesting by your perspective and experience. I always enjoy your rambles, and feel you have no need to apologize for them. Maybe my own ADD is sympathetic 😊💜

[@ClassicGhost]

I suspect that's right. Mental rambling is a way of life

[@jeanmccauley2951]

Thank you Tony for another brilliant story. I'm undergoing intense chemotherapy and listening to your stories helps me unwind and relax when lying in bed at night.

[@ClassicGhost]

Any story you’d like me to do for you ?

[@billhuitson5208]

I can’t imagine how hard that must be for you Jean, my very best wishes to you. And thanks Tony for your kind offer.

[@PumaLyn]

Thinking of and praying for you, Ms. McCauley. Hope all is well. 🙏🏾

[@matthbhhh2439]

You’re really great Tony. Really great and I appreciate your selections and narrations immensely. Listen nightly. I began my audiobook nights bc of insomnia. Started with Hugh Fraser’s Agatha Christie, then Greg Wagland’s Holmes account via Magpie Audio, then Bitesized Audio via Simon, then The French Whisperer, and now you. Needless to say, you’re in excellent company in my opinion, sincerely. Thank you for your work and this blessed channel. All my support.

[@mariameere5807]

Omg I can’t believe this I lost my business and I now rent place’s out but mostly giving private lessons of yoga 🧘‍♀️ as an instructor! But I started then reading books and since I was a young kid in New York, ( I am Irish American but in my imagination I was always 1920s English and had a London flat, and a place in the countryside like one of the villages that Agatha Christie wrote about! And I was one of the beautiful glamorous women not the old dear’s!) Anyway, we came back to Ireland when I was 8 and I had been obsessed with London, where I now live and have done since I was 16! I had been reading big huge Agatha Christie novels since I could barely read! Then when I lost everything and had to take time off I was too depressed to read and then I discovered my first audio book habit, ( I call it that cos it became an addiction ) and that was mostly Huge FRaser’s reading Agatha and I was too depressed to even pick up a book but the idea of being read to, I adored it and then I discovered here, on this channel the lovely images of the Victorian up to 1940s even 50s England and my other obsession was the paranormal since seeing a ghost as a child in New York and my grandmother was the same way! Called it the gift/curse depending on her mood!! So then I had entertainment for when I couldn’t sleep when covid made me poor!! So then I discovered all the other channels you did which are all quite similar, yet unique and wonderful in their own but it’s exactly those channels! The only one I didn’t know about I can’t see your comment but if this is wrong I will edit this but it’s a French something or other! The French whisperer! Even magpie audio I was listening to and discovered Sherlock Holmes for the first time! I have now listened to all the stories on there… but I have lots that I love to re listen to and I fell asleep during some so I can still see what happens in the end! However these channels really helped me to get out of my low mood which was really, really a good thing as I am not good with depression but who is!?! However generally speaking I am always very up!! Probably one of the annoying bubbly they call it overhere which is now more my home than anywhere else in the world and I have lived in a lot of cities but nothing comes close to London! It’s so clean and the architecture in the centre of London is awe inspiring and the history is palpable! You can feel it! Feeling good is my definition of success cos if you’re not happy then what’s the point of chasing your dreams as looking outside yourself to fill a void that can easily be filled from within, well it makes you feel miserable! So I don’t know why I am telling you this but it’s mainly just because of the exact same channels that you mentioned in practically the same order except I started listening to this one after Agatha and then all the other’s! Also it’s the middle of the night and I am listening to the last bit of this video as I generally listen to it all and I have learned so much about the authors of the period on this channel and I love bite sized audio too! Anyway this is way too long a reply! Forgive me! Blessings!🙏

[@billhuitson5208]

Thanks for that lovely insight x

[@Laura-tp8wz]

Thanks 😊

[@lesleykaygosson315]

I liked this story. You read it beautifully. ❤️

[@KaylaHackett-z8r]

Wow. I have been searching for the perfect person to fall asleep to! The only downfall is I'm too invested in the stories. I work at a preschool so this story was great to listen to.

[@DanHunterSportsWriter]

Fuckinelll Tony! That story has just wrecked me! The last scene, Jesus. I'm supposed to be a tough guy from the North East and I've got tears in my eyes!! Seriously though, what an excellent story. Definitely one of the more cinematic of your pods. This would make a cracking Christmas ghost story on the beeb, if they still those. Great stuff mate!

[@ClassicGhost]

Glad it made you cry (in a good way )

[@DanHunterSportsWriter]

@@ClassicGhost I've actually just finished your reading of Harry by the same author. Again, excellent, and very sad. I think if she was around today she'd be writing for television.

[@Laura-tp8wz]

Thanks

[@normaemanuel4975]

How yummy! Thank you ! This is perfect for crunching numbers!

[@penelopewilliamson145]

Thanks!

[@ClassicGhost]

Thank Penelope. Much appreciated.

[@ireneanderson7699]

As always, I love your readings! On a side note, I can sympathize that mental health care workers are treated as punching bags in the view of other professions. I am an optometric vision therapist in the US. I have seen so many patients who have lingering brain injury symptoms from working in mental health; being hit, tossed, and secondary injuries from the initial attack. It's concerning. Admin never seemed all that concerned in any of the cases.

[@ClassicGhost]

No. "it's just part of the job" they say.

[@javedsultan4830]

very very nice narration. thank you

[@Raven-qj8xk]

Excellent story! Am enjoying your post narration info/analysis and personal anecdotes as much as the stories! The lady patient with the knife story made me laugh out loud because of your delivery! Judo nursing auxiliary is an absolute star!

[@edf777]

Thanks Tony

[@elaineparker6171]

Gave me the shivers! You're right..women ghosts are usually in black .or even white. From being small it's always been the archetypal woman in black ghost that's frightened me. Thanks Tony

[@murtazaarif6507]

This story reminds me of my own school and favourite teacher I was fond off in the 70's and 80's. I could picture the interiors. The amazing thing is tbat emotions really do form into ghostly figures it seems because I have seen it with others. The ending was very sweet and emotional. This story somewhat helped me deal with my own emotions related to my school and teacher. Like her sign of approval for me. I am sure you would have been a really good teacher too Tony.

[@Miniver765]

I really enjoy the stories Tony. Thank you!

[@amandalee215]

Great story thank you Tony

[@angelaroberts2803]

Really interesting story and your commentary after Tony.

[@tmaz3654]

Thanks, great story, like her work Toni

[@meese9140]

I love a good workplace ghost story! We should all write some of our own based on our own jobs. “A Haunted Janitor’s Closet” “The Thing from the Lumber Aisle” “The Ghostly Uber Passenger” etc

[@ropeburnsrussell]

What a great story! Thankyou.

[@mentak2593]

Omg you make an excellent point! If they go after a cop it doesn’t matter how “mentally unstable “ they are, consequences will come. But assaults against healthcare workers are just dismissed. Truly disturbing. I do care about mentally ill people, but it isn’t a free-for-all that exempts one from negative consequences.

[@beckymartin1810]

Such a treat, thank you Tony!

[@blixten2928]

Beautifully told!! And interesting stories of professionalism, love and hate. Still a much-loved teacher, still good at what she does, but turns to arson.... weird people make hungry ghosts! (To misquote James.)

[@larauch13]

Great story. Great reading. Thank you.

[@jacquelinetaylor9447]

Relistening to this great story! Thank you for sharing your God given talent, your voice, with us all!!! Your sense of humor is infectious and I can relate to the tale of you almost being gutted by the patient & the Copper and the Hoover, lol! 😂

[@michaelhegarty5372]

Excellent story. Thanks Tony

[@feralbluee]

so sensitively read and good acting. a!beautiful story and a lovely ending. it was amazing that the one teacher was so understanding (and thus the author). most people are deaf to different emotions or feelings others have. 🌹🌱

[@thegreencat9947]

This is what I do...waiting for Monday night. Quite satisfactory.

[@alfredthorne4315]

I have always loved this story ever since I discovered it in the Virago book of ghost stories.

[@kathyevans3251]

It was an intriguing story.Thank you for it.I have to check out more of her writings

[@jamesfranklin5541]

What an *excellent story Tony! And, as always, impeccably read.

[@johnwhelan9663]

One can date a story by any hint of lesbian awareness. The moment "unnatural passions" were mentioned, I thought "1960s". And I was right (1969).

[@blixten2928]

Wow, I would have thought much earlier. Just goes to show how much slower progress is than one can ever suspect (and how much faster regression can happen, but that's another story). Thanks for the comment!

[@victoriadiesattheend.8478]

I do the same thing!!! The LACK of mention when it is quite obvious can also be a time marker.😊

[@darrylhunt1]

Great stuff Tony, thank you.

[@ainemoroney9965]

I love your last comment promising yourself not to let other people's opinions hold you back - when that was exactly what was keeping the dead teacher at the school. Nicely done 😊

[@ClassicGhost]

But do I mean it, a Aine, is e sin an rud is tabhactaigh.

[@PumaLyn]

@@ClassicGhost I understand exactly what you mean. 🤝

[@code-52]

Possible the curtains and window represent being trapped between the past and future. She can see out the window, but can't move beyond it.

[@ClassicGhost]

I like that

[@rosemariebenintend6771]

The healthcare support staff STILL have no human rights. There are a million rules to "protect" the patients/residents, but the ONLY rule for staff is that you can be slapped, punched, kicked, fondled, and staff's only recourse is to "be kind and RESPECTFUL" and take it. They cannot "restrain" even violent patients. The patients DID need to be protected, but now, they're allowed to act like vicious animals--without ANY restraint to PROTECT STAFF. It's SICK.

[@Vandal_Savage]

That's mostly because instead of being put in prison where they belong, criminals are being put in psychiatric hospitals....

[@suitov]

Symbolism to the curtains, you say? If this were my GCSE English lesson, I'd put up my hand and say symbolism for concealment and revelation, and/or the fact that Timperley had a liking for dramatics and the stage. I was surprised at the queer twist. I only know from reading one or two boarding school memoirs and some fiction (Mallory Towers kids rise up), but it seemed to be a known thing in such times for younger students to get a "pash" on an older student of their own sex, and it didn't necessarily mean anything beyond the innocent. Although I'm quite sure in many cases it did!

[@Elder-Witch299]

Thank you ,Tony, I enjoyed this poignant story. In your ramble when you said about it being a "queer" story, you reminded me of the old film, The Pride of Miss Jean Brody. If I remember rightly at least one of her girls were in love with her, and it had the same poignant feeling to me. As well as being a paramedic in later life, I was a police officer when I was younger. ( I had a blue light addiction 😆) Back then we would never have ignored assaults on other services. We were all solidly together back then. Things must have changed for the worse. You were having a right ramble on this one...but never stop.

[@tzaph67]

If you liked the film, you should give the book “The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie” a go. It’s only a novella so not too overwhelming if you’re not a regular reader. It’s really excellent!

[@gillrippingale1173]

Loved it! Thanks! Beautifully read of course, but that really goes without saying. Your walk sounded nice - I think you have it warmer further north at the moment. Still really cold in the East Mids..but today I heard a Woodpecker in a tree in the meadow beyond my garden fence, so that was nice ☺

[@ClassicGhost]

It's cold here right now

[@jonesychatswrestling4841]

Tony any story recomendations for sunday night to fall asleep too ?, I like stuff like MR James thirteen thanks

[@Thomas-wn7cl]

👍

[@Story-Voracious66]

So many things I agree on here and would love to comment on. But time is short; yours and mine, so I will just say that I get irate about not being able to get an Americano anywhere here! On a bad day I will order a whole breakfast with an caffe americano, soy milk warm on the side, then cancel it all when they say "we don't do Americanism.". Oh and a great ghost story about thin ice is 'If she bends she breaks', Sorry can't recall the author. Thanks Tony, enjoy time with your great grand puppies.

[@blixten2928]

Just a question - isn't an Americano just black coffee?

[@Story-Voracious66]

Yes, that's my point! How hard could it be to make a macchiato with the milk seperate? Or a little milk in a long black? Where I am it's usually 3 quarters burnt milk (re-frothed 3 times), in a powdered chocolate spattered cappuccino!

[@Story-Voracious66]

Oh... and I hate autocorrect, because I can't edit my comments on this old tech! I'm now going to make a French press coffee and stop being such a "B"

[@blixten2928]

@@Story-Voracious66 Now that sounds awful. I hate that powdered chocolate on top too. It's often sweet - and sugar and coffee don't mix. A little milk and a long black sounds just perfect to me.

[@ruthwalton3457]

My friend on a secure ward , they brought people to her frequently several big burley policemen would bring someone to put in the secure ward and just shove them through the door . My friend five foot nothing, had to deal with them on her own after the police had wound them up even more than they had been to start with🥺

[@cawiltu]

Sooo scary

[@ClassicGhost]

It’s a great story

[@tzaph67]

I didn’t realise you were a bit of a birder, that’s cool! The world is indeed mysterious and wonderful, but there are plenty of idiots set on destroying Nature and it’s okay to get agitated about them imho! Thanks for the story - I hadn’t heard of Rosemary Timperley before.

[@tuomasronnberg5244]

"...public schools, which are private." Only in English 😄

[@norayoder3189]

❤🎉😊

[@ropeburnsrussell]

Any progress on the cat situation? I've been hoping your friend will relent.( I've adopted a second moggie,a black and white female). When you're next in the states you are welcome to meet her. I think your rambling is contagious!

[@ClassicGhost]

No, I haven't seen Lucifer for ages. I must go out and look for him

[@CrowSkeleton]

Oof. The 20th century, when even a 10-year-old with a teacher crush has to be dead by the end of the story if she experiences a moment of the most innocent queer joy.

[@victoriadiesattheend.8478]

you nailed it

[@ann-mariepaliukenas19]

Hello 😊

[@edf777]

Hi.ann.marie

[@thurayya8905]

In California, you need to have a year of post degree work to earn your teaching credential, so that's what I did in the 80's. After two teaching credentials, and some time in hell, I decided that teaching wasn't for me. Too much time was devoted to keeping the kids in line and trying to maintain discipline when there weren't any consequences. I ended up doing office work instead.

[@ClassicGhost]

That's why I quit teaching. Got my qualfication, did a year and that was enough. I loved the subject but I hated having to discipline kids all the time.

[@evelanpatton]

Curtains=bed sheets combusted her whole world…(?) Love your commentary. And btw: saying your opinion about someone being “pretty” is acceptable contribution in a discussion of an author, as far as I’m concerned; to be “upset” at another human finding another person of ANY sex attractive is behaviorally abNORMAL & surely is some sort of projected self-centered dis-ease within themselves. We are meaning making machines, to be upset that another person makes meaning is to live without peace, or compassion, or love & they need some therapy, because opinions are like Arse-holes, everyone has them & you do not need to agree. If the opinionated be a bother, you must be very opinionated yourself, & anti-social if THAT is what gets in the way of you successfully, peacefully, calmly getting along with others, you must be CHOOSING a very LIMITED environment in which to engage with the world & missing out on diversity of relationship. Anyway, all that’s blubber to say, “ BE YOURSELF! We are adult enough to hear your opinions, & if someone isn’t then they can a) direct their attention elsewhere or b) obnoxious enough to judge your opinion by THEIR OPINION. Really, it’s very silly. If your shell breaks every time a step is taken you’ll be a slimy mess before you ever mature into a fully integrated personality. Personally my opinion, of course.

[@arecane2000]

Unnatural poisson, ze kissing feesh ""Buss, Buss, Buss!" Eh joke een pour teste, so Franch "Hon, hon, hon!"

[@ClassicGhost]

I think Unnatural Poisson was a band on the Ghost Box label, no?

[@arecane2000]

@@ClassicGhost But why ah was it ah banned? And ah how you put a label on a ghost ah box? Unless...they're into that? Luigi! Musica! "Buss! Buss!, Hon! Hon!, Buss! Buss!..."

[@kaf890890]

I think someone said it was controversial to have a man read a story with a woman narrator… Not in my book (no pun intended!)

[@ClassicGhost]

Yes people have told me that

[@kaf890890]

@@ClassicGhost Silly people

[@juliadia007]

Why assume a child who has a crush on an older woman/role model is neglected at home? Maybe you assume this from your professional experience?

[@StalinLovsMsmZioglowfagz]

What? Why ask that? It’s true that in my fourth grade class ALL of us boys had a crush on our teacher, until she shed her Miss, and became a Mrs., but I’m sure loads of people don’t experience the same thing, or anything like it. They’ve got to reckon there’s something. And darker things.

[@StalinLovsMsmZioglowfagz]

Now that I’ve heard the entire thing it’s pretty obvious isn’t it? He said so because she wrote that she didn’t love her parents in the letter. You don’t have to not love your parents to have a crush on a teacher, and you wouldn’t feel that way unless they weren’t good parents- in SOME way. Perhaps neglect, perhaps far worse. Cheers

[@ClassicGhost]

firstly of course this is a story. My experience is that everyone craves love and attention. I don't think that is controversial in fact. When it is denied at home, let's say, it would be natural to seek it elsewhere. But as my good friend SLFCFM+ says we all had crushes on our favourite teachers. At least we both did. I'm now embarrassed about the poetry I used to write to my English teacher and stick it under her windscreen wiper. I blush even to remember it and hope she forgives me.

[@StalinLovsMsmZioglowfagz]

@@ClassicGhost If we have no innocence to mourn, we will surely be jaded and empty husks.

[@Vandal_Savage]

@@ClassicGhost lucky buggers, all my teachers were mingers...

[@tzaph67]

I’m happy to spread the word but you don’t need to grow. Remember it’s quality not quantity!

[@ClassicGhost]

But...

[@2msvalkyrie529]

Nice narration. Unfortunately the story is dull , tedious and plodding. Complete absence of style and originality .

[@mariameere5807]

Wow 🤩 wow 🤩 ! Thank you so much for today I think I saw another notification at yoga, on a nicotine break from my vape 💨 steam and nicotine which is like caffeine and coffee and coke and tea have that addiction and nicotine is a natural antidepressant! Yea it’s addictive but that makes it much more enjoyable and fun! Anyway I don’t know if I imagined it cos yoga makes you high, especially kundalini awakening yoga! If you aren’t meditating or prepared vibrationally it still works, but bloody hell…. bringing on a kundalini awakening if not prepared for it makes you look like you have stuck your toe in an electric ⚡️ socket! Don’t know if that’s how you spell it…… anyway sorry hun for talking too much but I am flying in my mind while at the same time floating on a cloud feeling euphoria and ecstasy, yet calm and serene…. I can’t explain… it’s ineffable! All I need now is your soothing voice taking me into another dimension, time traveling to this timeless reality and life is good 👍Thank heaven for Tony Walker and his aweamazingly awe inspiring channel! Blessings, Marie!🙏✨🌸💜🤍💜🌸 🫶✨🌟💛🌟✨🫶

[@evelanpatton]

You have a small township following you now. What a vision taking seed to tree with long tentacle branches. Well deserved. “Faithless Dog”…perfectly 🧠🫀🫁🗣️pointed. I DO enjoy a shuffling , re-listen. Often the endings especially make me smile! Especially, like the bits about those random things we thinking folk think about… like over the willow branches; I’ve saved our wisteria vines to make DREAM catchers & to pad the wilderness trail on my mom’s property. 🌲🦌🌳🐿️🍀🐇🍄 I DO apologize for being a bit of a “wordy”/chatty American who likes to put a few words up; though, I heard it helps your YT channel, so I oblige myself as a 🪭📬. 🦉🕸️🙊🫀🎉📮👻📚.

[@ClassicGhost]

+Evelan Patton black-eyed, he knows my name. that’s my Jasper

[@francesburden84]

Thanks!

[@ClassicGhost]

Sorry I didn't thank you immediately. Thank you very much!