The two boys braked, then wheeled around and stopped. They peered at the sign. ‘This looks interesting.’ ‘Do you think there is a castle down there?’ as he read what it said. ‘Could be.’ ‘Well, it doesn’t say that we are not allowed to go along that drive, does it?’
So they started to bike while looking around the long winding road. It was pretty overgrown, and there seemed no-one around. But then, what a vista! The two of them stopped… dead.
‘What is it?’ ‘Certainly not an old castle.’
They dropped their bikes, then walked around the imposing round building. Just then, a large door opened from the inside, and a man appeared, and smiled. ‘Do come in, you’ll like this, I’m sure.’ He pointed up. The two of them looked up. For a moment they said nothing, but then they both said: ‘Wow, a wonderful observatory – how cool!’
That tatty lace was once so pretty. It covered those tall windows, and the light would shine brightly in the early evening. The sun still smiles, but there’s no-one to see it here in this house.
Then the house was a home.
The walls and the doors were painted in rich and bold colours. The garden was glorious with many exotic flowers, bushes and vegetables. And beyond, those magnificent trees would often seem to sing.
But that was a long time ago.
Would you see a ghost sometimes? Would you hear a strange knock in the night? Maybe? Maybe not.
~~~~~
Thanks to Rochelle for hosting Friday Fictioneers Genre: Historical Fiction Word Count: 100
The red-headed woman had responded to Monsieur Bourbon, although not quite so enthusiastically as she quickly kissed his cheeks two times, then righted her beret, while those two gargoyles looked on, as they wondered whether they might have a go as well.
However, Monsieur Bourbon had other plans as he spied those small satchels around their chests, as he looked and wondered as he said: ‘do tell what’s in there, since you two have been on a bit of a jaunt, am I right?’
The two gargoyles then mention those beautiful gems as they were about to remove them, but meanwhile the red-headed woman peered out from the shop window, while Monsieur Bourbon turned the sign from ‘open’ to ‘closed’, as he said: ‘let’s go into the backroom.’
‘Ah ha, diamonds,’ smiled Monsieur Bourbon, as he took his loupe and gently fixed it into his eye socket, as he began to analyse those gemstones and there were many of them to look at.
The red-headed woman began to pace, and soon, since it was taking such a long time, she started to march around, even though it was a rather small backroom, but the two gargoyles continued to watch the magnificent Monsieur – mesmerising – they both felt.
Then Monsieur Bourbon removed his loupe and said: ‘they’re not real, none of them… they are synthetic,’ – the red-headed woman said, ‘you mean they’re just junk and no real value?’ as she put up her head and jutted out her chin with grumpiness.
dear mother nature, enjoy this place see this lovely honeysuckle it is a wildlife hotel there’s bees and ladybirds the scent is gorgeous it’s nectar-rich how happy it is ahh
she smiles with little animals like dormice and squirrels it’s a wonderful world and now a celebration sun is above the equator since twice a year it’s the equinox
‘Well, this is a stroke of luck,’ muttered the red-headed woman to the two gargoyles, ‘see that Inspector Clouseau, he’s still walking around that busy boulevard, still walking briskly along, while swinging his truncheon happily, and taking no notice about anything at all, and that’s perfect, don’t you think,’ as she grinned.
‘Still,’ said the red-headed woman, ‘we’re not quite there yet, but I do remember exactly where that small shop is, and I’m sure he’ll still be there, also I’ll never forget his name, Monsieur Bourbon, so let’s get moving, as the two gargoyles agreed, while they continued to hold their small satchels very tightly.
Meanwhile, Mr Cushing and The Old One had commandeered the large kitchen – Francis had poked his head around the door to say, ‘be my guest, I’m sure you are both great cooks… sorry, I mean chefs.’
Mr Cushing had explained that he had bought some sirloin from the excellent butcher, ‘looks good, doesn’t it,’ while The Old One said, ‘hmm, very nice and bloody,’ as his fangs appeared for a moment, but then he said, ‘of course, we need to cook this, and nicely.’
‘Okay, let’s get to business,’ said Mr Cushing, ‘we’ll cube the beef since we have been hankering to make some delicious curry – not too hot but really creamy.
Meantime, the red-headed woman pushed open the tingly bell in that shop; Monsieur Bourbon was right next to the door, he cupped her face in his hands and then kissed her forehead.
I looked around a bit, then stared at that sign. It said in capital letters, from top to bottom. So it seems to be in the right place. And meaning me?
But where is this place? It’s dry. It’s warm. Yes, there’s some bushes. Yes, there’s a mountain quite close. But? BUT?
Just whoa down. And sit down. At least it’s a handy sign to relax there. Just closing my eyes. Ah… Bliss.
~~~
Image credit: NIR HIMI @Unsplash
This image showsa sign with arrows pointing in different directions. The message on the arrows say:- “You are exactly where you need to be.” In the background, one can see mountains and a few bushes.
The two boys had been wandering around that farm. ‘It’s very muddy, but we’ve got our wellies on.’ ‘I wonder whether there’s anyone around?
Suddenly a big tractor started to rev up. The two boys glanced over there, then waved. It seemed that whoever was driving hadn’t seen them. ‘Come on, we’ll run past that tractor.’ ‘Oh yes, and look at that trailer.’
The two of them started to run across the sticky mud, while the tractor stopped. An arm appeared from the cabin, and waved down to the two boys. ‘Want a lift?’ as a voice shouted to them.
The two of them grinned. ‘Hop in then,’ as the voice pointed to the trailer. The two of them jumped into the trailer, as the driver started to drive that tractor.
And how lucky they were. They were given some free spuds as they were dropped off by the village.