Trick or traitor

Monday 28 October

“Hello Mr.Raven,” I said. He squawked back, looking round trying to find something to eat for his breakfast. Those ravens always notice me. It is my custom to go for my daily walk before 9am when things start to get busier round here. I saw one of the ravens sitting on a bench by the chapel and I said hello. Everyone else ignores me. The ravens don’t.

I have lived here for a long time now. I don’t think I could live anywhere else in London. There is a great view of Tower Bridge. It is very handy for St Paul’s and for lots of other places but of course I never go outside the walls. I don’t mind all the visitors. I enjoy watching them.

Just a few days now till Halloween. People say that Halloween has got too commercialized in recent years but I don’t agree. It is a time for fun and obviously a very special day for me. Actually I consider it to be more important than Christmas. I have more fun at Halloween than I do at Christmas. Much more fun. This year I shall dress up in my special Halloween outfit and celebrate this wonderful day.

When I go on my daily walk I always pop in to see the Crown Jewels just to check they are still there! Only joking. Of course they are there. The security here is very tight. There is no way that anyone could steal the Crown Jewels.

Tuesday 29 October

Today it was raining. The ravens were all in their cages keeping dry. They don’t like the rain. It doesn’t bother me. I went for my walk as usual.

I like going to the souvenir shops to see what new souvenirs they have on sale. Some of the T-shirts are really good in my opinion. I wish I could buy one of the fridge magnets only there is no point as I don’t have a fridge.

Of course in a couple of weeks we will have our commemorations for Remembrance Sunday. I can remember the Second World War. People used to complain about the food rationing but it didn’t bother me at all. The noise of the bombing used to drive me mad. I don’t miss those days at all. We had lots of damage here but so did Buckingham Palace and the Houses of Parliament. Not to mention St Paul’s.

I enjoy watching all the visitors going round. Nowadays lots of people take selfies. You see them wandering round and then stopping to take their selfies. It makes me chuckle. Why are they taking photos of themselves when there so many wonderful things around to photograph? They could just stay at home and take selfies of themselves.

Wednesday 30 October

One more day to go. I like to call this Halloween Eve, like Christmas Eve. I’m getting my costume ready for the big day.

I popped into the chapel this morning. I like to say a prayer for the Royal Family. I think the King is doing a good job. He reminds me of his grandfather. I sometimes come in during the services as I like the music. I just sit quietly at the back.

A funny thing happened with one of the ravens this morning. I was strolling along near the White Tower having my morning walk – I had gone out a bit later this morning and the place was full of visitors wandering round and enjoying themselves - and I saw that one of the ravens was about to peck a young child on the hand. This little girl had got too close to him and was starting to annoy him. I felt sorry for the family so I looked at the raven and shook my head very firmly. I didn’t think that he would take any notice of me but he stepped back a couple of places and then flew away. Amazing!

This is a wonderful place to call home. Just think of all the history that has happened here. Anne Boleyn had her head chopped off. Richard III had the two young princes murdered. Guy Fawkes was kept here and tortured.

Thursday 31 October

Today has been a wonderful day. You see Halloween is the only day of the whole year when people can actually see me. So I have spent the whole day walking round scaring people, making them jump and burst into tears. Lovely! One little girl got so upset when she saw me that she wouldn’t stop crying and her parents had to take her home. So I’ve not lost the knack. I can still do it.

To be honest there is one thing that does ever so slightly annoy me – the fact that I’m the only real ghost here. You may not believe me but the other ghosts are just actors dressed up to look like ghosts. They do their best but they are not very realistic. For example, I like to walk round with my head under my arm. That makes the guests jump, particularly the children. The other so-called ghosts walk round making their funny wailing noises. I suppose they are doing their best.

When I first became a ghost – and it is a long time ago - it took me a lot of time to get used to it. I wasn’t expecting to be executed. I never dreamt they would say off with his head. Now I have got the hang of it. I like making people jump. That’s what Halloween is all about. For the first 100 years I was sad that I had been executed but now I have got over it and I just enjoy it and make the best of things.

Another Halloween over. Only 364 days till the next one!

They said I was a traitor but I’ve shown that I’m not. My execution was a miscarriage of justice. I love the Royal Family. I love the Crown Jewels. I love the ravens. This is my home.