A ghost story for Christmas by JOHN HOWARD MARY and Jack were in their early 20s. Although they had been married for 18 months, they had seen little of each other due to the war.

When Jack returned, a friend took him to the spot in the city where Mary had died in that Christmas air raid.

It had been 60 years ago and he still loved Mary. He never married again or even had a girlfriend -- but he did once pinch Ada Chadwick's bottom.

Every Christmas Eve he had gone to the place of Mary's death and waited. Around 10 o'clock, for a short period, he felt the warmth of her presence and knew that she was with him.

Here he was again, another late Christmas Eve afternoon. It was raining hard and the lights were reflecting in the wet.

The hustle and bustle of homeward bound shoppers and the noise of car horns and gridlocked traffic created a scene of chaotic impatience. At 9.45 he was in the quiet street. It had stopped raining now and one or two people had passed and wished each other a Happy Christmas. Ten minutes later, for the first time in 60 years, the presence he was expecting didn't arrive. After a few minutes he smiled to himself and mused: "Hmm, looks like I've either been stood up or she's playing hard to get and there's not much I can do about that."

Then there was a moment of panic as he wondered if she'd got someone else.

His attention was attracted by the sound of footsteps. He knew those hurrying footsteps. It was Mary. Even in his excitement, he couldn't help but wonder what she was wearing, and then realised that she was still in the dress of the '40s.

They stood and gazed at each other; he in his early 80s, she still a beautiful 21-year-old. Mary was the first to speak: "Hello Jack, love. Happy Christmas."

He couldn't take the smile off his face and said: "It's the first time in 60 years that you've been late. I was beginning to think you'd got someone else." "Why should I get someone else," she said, "when you've been faithful to me all this time. You didn't re-marry and I can forgive you for pinching Ada Chadwick's bottom."

"Blimey," he thought. "What else does she know? I'd better be careful what I'm thinking!"

They both laughed when Mary continued with: "I know Doreen Ormerod was lining herself up for you but I put a stop to her game." They were still smiling when after a moment or two she said: "You look tired love. Let's sit on these steps for a while."

While sitting there, a group of noisy girls came by, probably in their late teens and heading for a party. One of them stopped and asked if they were all right. Jack thanked her and assured her that they were. Mary and Jack sat a little longer and then she said: "If you're ready now love, I think it's time we were going."

A few hours later, the same group of girls returning from their party found Jack slumped on the steps. Dot called an ambulance. The paramedics said he was dead.

"An old lady was with him a few hours ago," Dot told them. "I asked if they were all right. She didn't speak but she had a wonderful smile with a face full of freckles and more wrinkles than a walnut."

Looking at Jack she said: "Doesn't he look peaceful and happy; as if he's wishing everyone a Merry Christmas."