Holiday Let
We left our rucksacks on the porch, kicked off our hiking boots and headed for the kitchen. Tentacles of mould had crept from plates and pans. The whole place reeked of something dank and unfamiliar.
But worse was to come at bedtime.
Tucked up in each bed, a skeleton.
#hero
Ben's eyes opened and he remembered where he was. He leant on his elbow and gazed at her face... neck... chest.
'Christ!'
He swiped at it, dived on to the floor and whacked it with his shoe.
A hero.
Julie woke. 'Boris!'
Ben stepped over the mangled tarantula as he left.
Before I knew it, he had bowled up the windscreen and over the top. Eyes brimming, we didn't move for a moment, then, on boneless legs, we went to look.
'Ohmygod!' she shrieked. 'You've killed my husband.'
She'd warned me he'd want revenge if ever he found out about us...
#hunt and #curious
It was a hunt unlike any seen before in the village - burning torches and curious charms strewn for protection.
Frenzied barking warned them: danger was close.
I skittered onto the church roof for a better view, stroking my long fingers.
'Woof!'
And smiled.
#happiness and #exsanguinate
Edith's happiness is hard to hide as George clanks back from the coalhouse with the metal bucket. The crystal is out - decanter, two glasses. After a toast, they quaff.
Edith smooths her face.
'This red - 'Exsanguinate'? - is doing wonders for my wrinkles!'
#Halloween
'Such a windy Halloween,' they say.
The bare oak seems alive, its arms conducting as a thousand fingers play an autumn piano.
What they don't see are the spirits, throwing leaves and, as far away from the ground as they can get, gathering in the branches to celebrate.