m
  (1924 ± 2003) was an author of

childrens¶ books. Born in Worthing, West

Sussex, in England, her family moved to Devizes
in Wiltshire when she was aged 10. She then
studied at the Oxford School of Arts.

She was married to author Leon Garfield, with

whom she adopted a daughter, named Jane
after Jane Austen. They met during World War II,
when Vivien was an ambulance driver. Her first
book was ð



 which
was followed by ð
 
 
 and
others.

(From 
 

Ê WERTYUIOP¶ by Vivien Alcock is about a young
graduate, Lucy Beck who has just finished her ÊO¶
levels at Belmont Secretarial College. Being a slow
typist, her principal has no confidence that she will
find a job.
Fortunately, she is offered a job by Mr. Ross, the
Manager of Ross and Bannister¶s. On her first day in
office, as she sets down to work, she encounters
peculiar incidents . Later, she discovers the ghost of
Miss Broome, a previous long-time secretary, who
now haunts her typewriter.
Towards the end of the story, Lucy gets rid of the
spirit, which is adamant in holding on to her position
as the company¶s secretary. She communicates with
ÊMiss Broome¶ through the typewriter and suggests
that Mr. Bannister who has passed away needs her
service Êup there¶ and bids her farewell.
Lucy Beck graduates from the Belmont Secretarial College with a lonely ÊO¶ level.
Lucy is such a slow typist that the principal worries that she may not get a job.
Lucy lives with her mother and uncle. She wants a job to overcome her poverty
and also to get away from her uncle. She goes for her first interview at Ross and
Bannister¶s and is immediately accepted as a secretary by Mr. Ross.
She rushes home to tell her mother who is surprised to hear the news.

Lucy arrives early on her first day at work. She meets Harry Darke who explains
her job description. Lucy sets down to work alone in the office. She types her first
letter and being a touch-typist, she does not look at the letter as she types.
When she finally glances at the uncompleted letter, she is shocked to find
WERTYUIOPs repeated all over in the letter. Lucy attempts to type anew. This
time extraordinary words appear in the letter. She tears out the letter and tries to
type on a new sheet again.

The typewriter takes over and types a threat to her.

Lucy decides to stay and take on the typewriter. She discovers the existence of
MISS BROOME who claims to be the rightful secretary of the office.
The typewriter goes berserk with WERTYUIOPs typed all over the letter. Each
time the unwanted capitals appear, Lucy swipes them with correcting fluid. She
finally finishes her letter.

Mr. Ross comes into the office and finds some letters to be signed. He enquires
if there is any problem with the typewriter.

The next morning, Harry Darke is surprised to see Lucy back to work. Lucy asks
about Miss Broome. She thinks of her Uncle when Harry Darke explains about
Miss Broome. Lucy is adamant to stay on and fight for her job.

Lucy goes to work the next day and communicates with Miss Broome via the
typewriter. She tell Miss Broome about Mr. Bannister¶s passing and persuades her
that her services are needed more where he is now. The spirit relents and Lucy
bids her goodbye.
Lucy Beck graduates from the Belmont Secretarial College
with a lonely ÊO¶ level. Lucy was such a slow typist that the
Principal worried that she would not find a job. Lucy lives with
her mother and uncle. She wants a job because she does
not want to be poor anymore and she wants to leave the
house and get away from her uncle. Goes for an interview at
Ross and Bannister¶s and is immediately accepted as a
secretary.
Lucy arrives early on her first day at work. She meets
Harry Darke who explains her job description.

Lucy sets down to work alone in the office. She types her
first letter and being a touch-typist, she does not look at
the letter as she types.

When she finally glances at the uncompleted letter, she is

shocked to find WERTYUIOPs repeated all over in the
letter.

Lucy attempts to type anew. This time extraordinary

words appear in the letter. She tears out the letter and
tries to type on a new sheet again.
The typewriter takes over and types a threat to her.

Lucy decides to stay and take on the typewriter. She discovers the
existence of MISS BROOME who claims to be the rightful secretary
of the office. Lucy challenges the ghost.
The typewriter goes berserk with WERTYUIOPs typed all
over the letter. Each time the unwanted capitals appear,
Lucy swipes them with correcting fluid to cover them. She
finally finishes typing her letter.
Mr. Ross comes into the office and finds some letters to be
signed. He enquires if there is any problem with the
typewriter.
The next morning, Harry Darke is surprised to see Lucy
back to work. Lucy asks about Miss Broome. She thinks of
her Uncle when Harry Darke explains about Miss Broome.
Lucy is adamant to stay on and fight for her job.
Lucy goes to work the next day and communicates with
Miss Broome via the typewriter. She tell Miss Broome
about Mr. Bannister¶s passing and persuades her that her
services are needed more where he is now.

The spirit relents and Lucy bids her goodbye

Do not judge a book by its cover. Do not judge a person by
his/her physical appearance or qualification.

When we really want something , we should persevere

Problems can be solved effectively through thoughtful

actions and compassion
ð


 

 
 
 
 




   (the choice of words used in the story)

use of vocabulary to create eerie, paranormal atmosphere «ð

  
 

  
  


 


     

simple vocabulary; short dialogues;

lots of exclamation marks (!) to show emotion; different fonts to indicate typed
messages ± e.g. capital letters to indicate Miss Broome¶s anger in her typed
message; use of italics (
 to show emphasis
!  
The story has many interesting similes e.g  


 
  

 


 !
 

 
 



     
 

 "   
 





 

 
#



 
 etc.
0 
e.g. ^ $
  
  
     %
 ^ $
   

 .; mouse-colored
 
The word imitates and echoes the sounds it tries to describe e.g. 

 , etc.
  
e.g. 
  (the elderly lady);    
 
  (who would be
dismissed from the job)
¢
e.g. ±grey hair -   
 

ÿ
ð
! !!¢ÿ