Carla Underwood was in a troubled relationship and felt completely at a loss. She didn’t know what to do. But when she saw a photo of herself at a bar, she decided to leave her partner for good.

When one woman found herself in a relationship that wasn’t working out, she wasn’t sure what she should do. So, she sought the advice of her family. However, it wasn’t until she saw a picture of herself that she decided enough was enough.

Carla Underwood comes from the town of Quedgeley in Gloucestershire, England. She works as a care assistant at a local nursing home. And in her spare time she explores her passion for music, photography and art.

When she wasn’t busy working or expressing herself, Underwood spent time with her long-term boyfriend. The couple had been together for six years. But by August 2017 their relationship had taken a turn for the worse.

And things soon became so fractious between Underwood and her partner that she felt the need to vent. People often say that a trouble shared is a trouble halved. So, the then 34-year-old headed to a bar with her mom and stepdad to discuss her relationship problems.

While there, her parents no doubt worked hard to lift Underwood’s spirits. They even took photographs of their troubled daughter posing in a hat. Underwood, however, was far too preoccupied to smile for the camera.

“At the time of the picture, I was feeling lost,” she said in an interview with the Daily Mail. “I was in a six-year relationship, I asked in my head if I should move on and to give me a sign. I was with my mum and stepdad. He does these re-enactments and had this hat, so we decided to try it on for a photograph.”

At the time, Underwood didn’t think much of the picture – after all she had a lot on her mind. When she saw the photo at a later date, though, it bowled her over. That’s because it appeared to have captured a ghostly face passing behind Underwood in the bar.

“I didn’t see the picture until later when I was at my mum’s, and I saw the face in it. I wanted a big sign but I wasn’t expecting that at all. It blew me away,” Underwood explained. “I know it was a sign, I needed that sign and I listened to it – I would say it’s a spirit.”

The reason the figure shocked Underwood was because it bore a striking resemblance to one of her deceased relatives. And when she showed the picture to her brother – medium Lee Underwood – he couldn’t help but notice how much the face looked like their late grandmother.

“My brother was saying he thought it was my nan. The hair looks the same as hers in the picture,” Underwood said. Despite never knowing her grandmother, Underwood felt comforted by the prospect that she was still around.

Underwood’s grandmother was named Irene Wilkins. As Wilkins passed away in 1982, however, the care worker had no memory of her. “Sadly I never knew her, she died when I was a baby from pneumonia,” Underwood explained.

“I feel grateful and a bit more reassured knowing there’s someone there watching over me,” Underwood added. “It makes me feel like I’m being looked after.” With her grandmother by her side, the care worker felt empowered to take control of her unhappy relationship.

Underwood saw the appearance of her gran in the photograph as an undoubtable sign. So, she decided to put an end to her six-year relationship in favor of a fresh start. With her grandmother watching over her, she felt sure that everything would work out in the end.

Believing the photograph was evidence that our loved ones never leave us, Underwood shared the snap on social media. And the spooky image soon caused a stir online. Plenty of people tried to come up with a rational explanation for the seemingly paranormal occurrence.

But to Underwood it was perfectly clear what had caused the strange apparition. There was no doubt in her mind that it was the spirit of her deceased grandmother. “There was nobody stood behind me in the bar when the photo was taken,” she claimed.

“I don’t know what I’d say to people who would challenge it. You’ve got to experience something to believe,” Underwood added. “I keep the picture and look at it often. Some people will probably be freaked out by it, but I’m not anymore.”

Underwood said that the image gave her further indication that she, like many others in her family, had the medium gift. “I’m from a family of mediums,” she explained. “I’ve always seen stuff when I was growing up but only realized it was anything until later on.”

“I’ve been to a few medium readings, I just feel drawn to it,” Underwood continued. “I’ve always been a believer, I’m a very spiritual person. I use tarot cards, and what they have said always comes true.”

She added that she used to find the experience of seeing spirits a frightening one. However, she learned to embrace her gift and now sees the positives. And Underwood added that others could take comfort in the idea we all have guardian angels watching over us from above.

“It was different when I was a kid, as I used to find it all scary,” she explained. “I’m a bit more at ease with it all now, I find it to be quite therapeutic and healing. I think if you are feeling lost, spirits will come through to help you.”