Why does Thomas always do this to himself? Falling in love with a woman he cannot have? First it was Isabelle, a love that put him in his grave. Then it was Alison, a woman he will never be able to be with, but he must see everyday, as he is confined to Button House and its property as a spirit until the day he finally moves on like Mary and countless others have done.

Alas, it is not up to him. There’s no telling when or if that time will ever come. His heart has given him a reprieve, albeit in a very cruel way. His feelings for Alison have been halted, for it is the woman staying in the gate house that has now caught his eye and his heart.

What is he to do? She cannot see or hear him, isn’t aware he even exists. So he just admires her from afar, resigned to the knowledge that she will soon leave and his heart will go back to aimlessly pining for Alison once more. Alison, who can see and hear him, but who he cannot be with, for they cannot touch and she doesn’t feel the same, even if they could.

And then he heard his name uttered from her lips. How could it be? His interest got the best of him and he appeared next to Alison, an intrigued look on his face. Once Alison was alone, he turned to her. “Did I hear correctly? Was it my name that came up in your conversation just now?”