Ghost Knight

Plot

The novel (written in first person) starts with Jon Whitcroft, one of the protagonists, reaching the train station. He is tearfully bid by his mother, and his mother's boyfriend gives him an encouraging pat, for which he "nearly shoved him onto the tracks". Jon describes his hatred for his mother's boyfriend, whom he calls "The Beard". He explains his countless attempts to get rid of The Beard, but in vain.

While on train for his boarding school to Salisbury, he spends his time cutting and gluing notes from newspapers, in order to frighten The Beard, but disposes them in the end, knowing his mother would favor The Beard even more than ever if she saw the notes.

When he reaches Salisbury, he is greeted by his house wardens, Edward and Alma Popplewell. They take him to the boarding house, where they put him in a three-bed room. He meets his new roommates, Angus Mulroney and Stuart Crenshaw, better known throughout the novel as Angus and Stu. The next day, he goes to his new school, which he finds, quite to his disappointment, is not too bad.

On his sixth night, his troubles begin. Jon tries to sleep, but suddenly hears the snorting of horses. He goes over to the window, wondering what it might be. There he sees three riders on horses - all transparent, with dark bruises, and burned out eye holes. He is surprised by Stu, who suddenly appears beside him. By the time Jon looks out of his window again, the ghosts and their horses have disappeared. Jon also discovers, that only he can see the ghosts and nobody else notices them.

The next evening, while all the students are being taken back to the boarding house by their history teacher Mr. Rifkin, also called Bonapart by the students, the ghosts reappear, with another 4th One along with the original three. They chase Jon, who runs in fear. At last, when he tires down, he goes to the Cathedral walls which make him feel safe. He falls down tired and helpless. The ghosts reach him, but soon leave him, warning that they would return for him, calling him "Hartgill". "Hartgill" is the maiden name of Jon Mother, and how the ghosts come to know about this surprises Jon. Mr. Rifkin reaches Jon, only to see him cry. Jon tries to tell Rifkin about the Ghosts, but nobody believes him. Rifkin takes him back to the boarding house, along with the other students.

The next morning, Jon has to make up a story that other people would believe. He tells his friends that he did not actually see any ghosts and was just making that up, to fool Rifkin. The students believe him and start to regard him as a hero.

Characters

Jon Whitcroft- The main protagonist. He is the son of Margaret Whitcroft (née Hartgill). His father died when he was four. He is sent to a boarding school, which his late father had attended. Jon initially hates his mother's boyfriend, while his two unnamed sisters and their dog Larry like The Beard. He is best friends with Ella, and is Longespee's squire.

Ella Littlejohn- Jon's best friend. She lives with her grandmother, and is well versed about ghosts. She guides Jon in the novel and helps him solve his problems. She is named after Ella Wigram.

William Longespee- The ghost knight. He aids Jon in defeating Lord Stourton's ghost. He brands Jon with a lion's crest, letting the boy call him any time. He makes Jon his squire.

Lord Stourton- The main antagonist. He haunts Jon because he is the descendant of the Hartgill's. Stourton is finally sent to hell after the combined forces of Jon and Longespee defeat him.

Zelda Littlejohn- Ella's grandmother. She is described to look very ancient, like an owl. She is a believer of ghosts, and has met them also. She takes care of Ella when her parents are away, and is shown to care for her when she is kidnapped by Lord Stourton's minions.

Matthew Littlejohn- Zelda's son, Ella's uncle and The Beard. He is a dentist, who keeps a beard for hiding a scar, which he shaves in the end. He is warm and friendly with Jon, who initially doesn't return the feelings. It is Jon who convinces his uncertain mother to marry Matthew, showing that the frostiness between them had melted to an extent. He helps Jon and Zelda rescue Ella from Lord Stourton's servants, and aides the children further while they retrieve Longespee's heart.

Margaret Whitcroft (née Hartgill)- Jon's mother. She falls in love with The Beard, much to the disgust of her son. She is a very caring mother, and also loves Jon a lot. She is convinced by Jon in the end to marry The Beard when she is skeptical.