Rosemary Timperley (1920-1988) wrote novels, screen plays, and short stories. She is probably best known for her ghost stories which are frequently anthologized.

“Harry” is one of her best ghost stories. The story follows Mrs. James, who adopts a baby girl named Christine. At age five, Christine begins talking to an imaginary friend named Harry, whom she describes as her red-haired brother. Mrs. James becomes increasingly concerned as Christine develops a Cockney accent and insists Harry is real. Despite reassurances from the family doctor, Mrs. James’s anxiety grows, especially when Christine refuses to start school for fear of being separated from Harry.

Imaginary friends are, of course, frequent features of ghost stories. There is something inherently unsettling after all in the whole concept of a child talking to and interacting with something adults cannot see or believe in.

Years ago when I was living in Michigan, a friend of mine told me to ask their daughter about her new imaginary friends. I did. She preceded to tell me then that her friends were a mother, a boy, and girl that had come to live in their house with her because they were scared because their father had burned their house down! To say I had goosebumps is an understatement. It was hard not to start looking into the shadows of room to see if I could see who was lurking there.

“Harry” is one of the best of the “Imaginary Friend” genre of Horror, if not the best. It is frequently anthologized has been used in a number of television shows over the years.

I re-read “Harry” in an excellent anthology of Ghost Stories compiled by Roald Dahl. I recommend the story and the anthology very much.

Enjoy!