Adult runners up collect.., p.1
Adult Runners-Up Collection 2024, page 1
Runners-Up Collection
Oxfordshire Libraries’
eBook Short Story Competition
2024
Adult category
Contents
Knock & Run by C L Bason
The Seamstress of Ham by Phil Blunden
Cassandra by Simon Lawton-Smith
The Golden Thread by Jennifer Taylor
The Swallow’s Song by Francesca Teal
A Vast Ignorance by Ashley Walker
Knock & Run
by C L Bason
Bob Ashley lived alone. Not that he was in any way lonely, with three sons, two daughters and a motley collection of lively, grandad loving grandchildren to Skype with, he was not lonely. He did sometimes miss June, and also Jess, the grey marl sheepdog who came to live with him when June died.
It was the kids going home from school that started it really, mischievous little louts. They would rattle Bob’s lion mask door knocker and run away home, laughing. So, Bob set up a camera and audio system to cover the front door.
“I can see you.” he said hollowly the next time they did it; the surprise stopped them in their tracks. It went quiet for a while then. When the Nottingham knockers came round, he could tell them. “I do not buy at the door,” in suitably stern tones.
John, the youngest son was the last to get married, the love of his life was one of the Howlet girls. You could always tell the Howlet’s by the flame-gold colour of their hair. Ruth was no different, she and John had been at school together, gone off in separate directions, come home for Christmas. Kissed under the mistletoe and that was it. They had set up house and jobs together in Winchester, then, after seven years decided it was time to get married.
So here was Bob, his house full of John and his friends from Winchester.
“Where are we all going to wash, dad?”
“Thought of that, John, have set up the caravan shower. Mrs Andrews next door has made her ground floor shower room available. John, you cannot be nervous, can you?”
“Dad, I have never been so scared in my life. I do hope Ruth is all right. This is a big commitment.” John took a deep breath, “Also we have decided that we want to go to Australia, we already have jobs lined up.”
“Good for you son, something I always wanted to do but never got round to it. You can tell me all about it later, you are making a bit of a hash of your tie, here, let me help you.”
It was a memorably beautiful wedding. Ruth was a radiant bride John cried a little when he saw her coming down the aisle with a trail of mixed Howlet and Ashley children as bridesmaids and pageboys. They walked to the reception in the village hall, partied until the wee small hours. Then the bride and groom stayed the night in the guest room, over the pub. Almost everyone was up the next morning to wave them off with a rattle of tins strung to the back of the old Volvo Estate, laden with presents. There was no honeymoon, within a month they were on their way to Australia, leaving Bob and Paul Howlet (Ruth’s dad) to clear the flat in Winchester, sell the old car and hand back the flat keys to the letting agent. When Bob got home, there was a letter from the DVLA about renewing his driving licence prior to his 70 th birthday.
The next excitement was the birth of Sarah’s (Bob’s youngest daughter) son, William. The family, except for John & Ruth, gathered for the christening and Bob was invited to be godparent alongside Sarah and his sin-in-law, Mathew. Bob made a ride on tractor, not for the new son but for the older brother, it was a bit too big to go into the back of the family car, so Mathew borrowed a trailer and came back to collect it at the beginning of the summer holiday.
The 70 th birthday party was a total surprise; the whole village must have been in on the secret. A good day, a very good day.
The knocker rattled. Bob looked at his ‘phone to see who it was, there was a little lad there a frozen expression on his face, ready to run as soon as he heard footsteps in the hall. Probably up for a dare, thought Bob.
“Can’t you pull a better face than that?” asked Bob. The lad looked round, then up to the camera, his mouth opened, realisation, then he quickly stuck his tongue out at the camera. “Oh, very good, I’m coming now.” The lad took off.
After that they would come, knock the knocker and gurn at the camera.
“Not good enough,” said Bob. “Need to try harder.”
At Halloween the kids stood on the step with their wickedly painted faces.
“Now that is dead scary,” said Bob, he had set up some carved pumpkins in the hall, with colour change Christmas lights inside.
“Now I dare you to look through the letter box.” They took it in turns, and universally decided that his was the spookiest house of all.
Being something of a whiz with electrics, Bob’s Christmas display was, as ever, outstanding. It was tinged with sadness, this would have been their 40 th wedding anniversary, June had loved the little lighting up ceremony which also celebrated their wedding day. Christmas this year was with Mathew and Sarah, William was really growing well. Bob looked after the boys for an afternoon.
“We have decided to get married dad,” announced Sarah. “We have been to the register office and signed the paperwork; will you stay on until January the 4 th and be our witness?”
“With the greatest of pleasure, are you inviting any other members of the family? I would be more than happy to arrange it.”
Sarah bit her lip, “Can’t afford it dad.”
“OK love, I understand.” Nevertheless, Bob rang Paul and asked if Mary, his wife, would pop round to his home and find a certain special box and send it.
On Christmas day he peeled potatoes, skinned sprouts, diced carrots, made gravy and bread sauce and kept the boys entertained while Sarah cooked lunch, which was voted excellent and followed by a slow, sated walk in the park.
So, the box arrived.
“Sarah, I thought you would like to wear this, something borrowed you know. Mum’s wedding veil. We were married in a registry office and she wore a veil.”
“Oh dad, thank you so much.”
“Then I can walk you in and it will be special and romantic.”
He got back home in time to start the great decorations pack away. Family birthdays came and went; suddenly it was Halloween again, this time he put the pumpkin heads in the front window to glower over the garden. He enjoyed Skyping with the grandchildren who had turned into vampires and ghosts and witchy creatures. This year he was by the front door when the little monsters knocked the knocker, ready to distribute home-made Halloween iced flapjack faces and gingerbread men.
Bob went to the Howlets firework and bonfire display, nearly lost a tooth biting an apple on a string which reminded him that it was time for the dentist. He also decided to renew his passport, one day he would go and visit John and Ruth in Australia. Odd that, he could have sworn that Ruth had been radiant with pregnancy when she got married. She had had that certain sort of look about her, like June always had. He went to the churchyard to talk to June. Update her; tell her about the new lights he was going to put up for Christmas.
Christmas was with eldest son Simon and his partner Dave. They didn’t believe in cooking over Christmas and swept Bob off to a hotel in the Cotswolds to enjoy a child free three days before heading up to London, taking in the lights, staying at another Hotel, taking in a show. Taking time to visit Dave’s sister and mum in Battersea. Simon was sure that Bob would like another dog, so took him to the dog’s home. Not a success, Bob said he would think about it. Then all of them going down to the Embankment to watch the fireworks and cheer the New Year in. Bob enjoyed that immensely but was very glad to be home again. Mary Howlet had put the post on the hall table. There were Thank you messages from polite grandchildren.
The Summer holidays loomed and there was a flat package from Australia, just as he was about to open it the knocker rattled and there was Mary.
“You have one as well, go on open it, open it,” she bubbled with excitement.
Bob needed no further prompting, ‘ John and Ruth Ashley are proud to announce the arrival of twin boys. Rob and Paul. ’ There was a framed picture of the proud mum and dad with a duo of puckered pink faced babies.
“I am so happy for them, so happy, after, well, go on read the letter. Oh, I cannot wait or I will burst. Ruth bought a lucky dip on the Australia Lottery; they won nearly 50,000 dollars.
They say we can go and visit them; they will pay for us to go out and visit.”
“It’s a good thing that I have applied to renew my passport then.”
“Passport!” Mary’s face fell, “We don’t have passports.”
“Don’t worry, I ‘ll help you fill in the forms.”
“Bob you are an angel, oh I must tell Betty and Chloe and Clare and oh everyone, bye Bob,”
She almost bounced away.
“I wonder when she will realise, she has odd shoes on,” mused Bob closing the door.
Bob joined some of the family for a week by the sea, in a rented cottage. He was still thinking about another dog but the beaches were not dog friendly at this time of year. At the beginning of the Autumn term, Paul and Mary had still not had their passports back. The evenings started to draw in. Bob had fitted light approach sensors by the side gate and something kept crossing the path and setting it off, a cat probably. One evening, he happened to putting the bin out and he saw her. A small pointy nose and a ball of laid-back prickles being pushed along by incredible long hind legs. Mrs T. he call
“I didn’t know you’ve got a cat, Bob.”
“Not a cat Chloe, a hedgehog.”
He set up a low-level camera and watched her come to feed at the saucer tucked under the edge of the wood-pile.
The pumpkins in the veg patch were particularly good. The hedgehog visits became fewer as the nights became frostier. Mary and Paul’s passports eventually arrived. Bob was sitting in the kitchen carving the biggest pumpkin one evening when the lion knocker rattled gently.
He looked at his ‘phone, there was a little girl on the doorstep, barely tall enough to reach the lions mouth ring. She looked up at the camera; Bob could tell by the hair that she was one of the Howlet girls.
“Hello, who are you?” he asked.
The little girl spread her arms wide and shouted, “Its ME.”
By the time he got to the front door she had disappeared into the darkness.
Bob made an enquiry to Paul and Mary as to which of the Howlets she might be, but they could not place her. They were now waiting for visas but hoped to be ready to go before Christmas, spending Christmas on an Australian beach far away from the cold was an exciting prospect.
Halloween came round again, with six good pumpkin heads four in the windows, two on the porch roof. The seventh had been made into soup, very tasty to. Bob had settled down in front of the log burner with a cup of tea to watch UC. The knocker rattled, he looked at his ‘phone, the little Howlet girl was there, she waved her hand at the camera lens.
“It’s ME again, I’ve got the dog,” she shouted waving the other hand clasping the loop of a lead.
“Wait a minute, I am just coming”, answered Bob, putting the mug on the mantelpiece. Again, by the time he opened the door, she had scampered off into the darkness.
Bob’s wedding anniversary approached and he began to set up his Christmas display. The visas were in, the flights booked. Sarah, Mathew and their boys would come and house sit for the Christmas holiday. The tree was set up in the living room with presents already tucked away underneath. Connecters checked, timers checked, lights checked and secured. All things ready for the switch on. Bob was unpacking his shopping and dropped a packet of cracker biscuits; it split and broke up. With a tut he got the vacuum out, picked up the packet and set to work hoovering up the crumbs. He turned the machine off, was that the door knocker again? Caught his foot in the cable and tripped, managed to save himself. Yes, the doorknocker had rattled. His ‘phone was in the living room so he went straight to the door.
He looked down; the little Howlet girl looked up.
“Hello again, I am very glad to meet you at last. What is your name?” he asked with a gentle smile.
“Is me, I have been waiting for AGES, me and the dog. Are you going to come for a walk with us?”
“Where are you from?”
The little Howlet turned and started to walk away down the path, half way to the gate she stopped and looked back, “Are you coming?”
“Well, not far then, I have only got my slippers on.”
“Come on then, grandad Bob. Jess and grandma June are waiting at the gate.”
The three sons and two daughters were there, most of the village. Some had worn black, out of respect. Bob’s ashes tucked down alongside June’s under a corner of the Ashley plot.
They went back to the house.
“It is time for the switch on,” said Sarah, “We cannot disappoint the children.”
It was probably the best display that Bob had ever wired up.
John and Ruth were there, the twins well snuggled in a borrowed double buggy.
Mary came and tucked her arm into her daughters, “I wish that I had been there for you, Ruth.”
“I’m alright now mum, she was so perfect, so tiny. Do you know, I think Bob knew that I was pregnant at the wedding. He winked and said that I reminded him of June on her wedding day. Did you tell him that I miscarried?”
“No, pet, I never did.”
“We had thought of names, you know, but hadn’t decided for a boy, just a girl. We were going to call her Esme.”
.
The Seamstress of Ham
By Phil Blunden
“Shhh, she’s resting.”
“How long for? Is she sick?”
A nod.
“Will she get better?”
“Maybe, but not for long.”
The door pulled shut and Celia was left alone.
She woke. Eyes opened, just watching the wall. Her mind explored her body, starting with her feet and slowly working up, confirming she was still whole. She was aware that despite the curtains being drawn shut, the room was getting brighter. Outside an engine spluttered into life and she was fully awake. The engine rumbled outside, and she could sleep no more. Pulling back the curtain, she watched.
Giles, for that was what she called him, was feeding the goats. They butted and pushed, raising themselves up and bleating until they chewed. He turned, and straightened, hand to the small of his back, and stepped to his truck. Resting his hand on the roof, breathing deeply, before pulling himself inside. Celia watched and waited. Finally, the door closed, and the truck pulled away, revealing a rather dull and dirty tractor that may have once been blue.
Celia closed her eyes. She remembered it how it was just a few years ago, before she fell ill. The blue body work gleaming and motor humming telling the farm that it could do anything. It was Giles’s pride and joy and then it broke. Celia remembered watching from her bed, the wet summer with leaky barns and falling down fences. Now weeds gathered around the wheels as if holding it in place.
A knock on the door.
“Mum, are you awake? I’ve brought you some tea.”
Celia turned to look at the door. “Jennifer? I’m awake, dear.” Celia sat back in the bed, her smile greeting her daughter. Jennifer placed the saucer and cup on the bedside table and sat on the bed.
“It’s a nice day today.”
“Yes, I was just watching the goats being fed.”
“You mean you were watching Richard?”
“Richard?”
“His name is Richard, not Giles.”
“I call him Giles. Of Ham.”
“You know he won’t understand the reference?”
Celia looked away, but her eyes darted back to Jennifer. Celia smirked then they laughed together until Jennifer’s eyes pleaded at her mother.
“What’s the matter, Jenny?”
“I… I want you well again.”
“Jenny.” Celia looked down. “It’s a sunny day to day. I need to be up doing something.”
“If you’re feeling up to it.”
Celia nodded at the wardrobe. “Can you get it down for me? It’s been too long.”
Jenny nodded, stood, reached up and brought it down. “Shall I set it down on your desk?”
“Not yet. I haven’t prepped the fabric yet.”
Jenny placed the sewing machine on the floor. “Mum, whatever happens to the clothes you make?”
Celia smiled. “I send them to a good home.”
“And where is this home that needs dresses that small.”
“Do you still sew?”
“I haven’t for a while. I’m just so busy these days. Maybe once the children are a bit… Older.” Jenny, spun round to face the window. Was that a figure beckoning to her?
“Everything OK?” asked Celia, peering at Jenny.
Outside the window branches swayed in the gently breeze, but there was no-one there.
Jenny shook her head. “Just a shadow from the tree.”
Celia didn’t bother looking. “Open the top drawer.”
Jenny slid open the desk drawer and pulled out a pile of papers, as Celia sipped from her tea. “Show me.” Jenny passed the patterns as Celia began searching through them. Occasionally she would stop and turn the pattern, her face lit up. Eventually, she stopped on a packet depicting a picture of a blue dress and placed the rest down. “Help me out of bed.”
“But Mum, you haven’t finished your tea.”
“And it was a lovely tea, but right now I need to do this.” Celia pulled back the covers and braced herself as she twisted round.
“Mum…”, Jenny sighed and threw up her arms. She took the dressing gown from the door, put it over her shoulder and held her hands out. Celia held on to Jenny’s arm and pulled herself up.
