Esther Chilton

My Guest Writer this week is Gillian Wright. She is fairly new to the writing scene so please give her the warmest welcome. She’s written two short pieces. Here’s a little bit about her before you read on…

Housewife and amateur historian, Gillian lives with her husband and son in a 400-year-old house, which they’ve been restoring for the last ten years.

Gillian is the secretary for the local history group. She has co-written two booklets about the history of Frizinghall and Heaton, in a format suitable for school children as well as adults. She has also written and produced two DVDs about Frizinghall and Heaton.

Gillian gives talks to the Mother’s Union and takes school assemblies to promote local history.

Heatonlocalhistory.co.uk

 

 

A Birthday Surprise

by Gillian Wright

I was sitting at the computer, writing the latest random word short story, when up popped an ‘email’ alert in the corner of the screen. Oh no, I thought, as I caught a glimpse of the sender’s name.

So I closed my document and went to the message. It wasn’t her usual emergency, which involved a last minute babysitting request. This time I reached for the phone to call straight away.

“Hi, Gemma,” I said as she answered the phone.

“Oh, thanks so much, I’m in a real fix. I’ve ordered a greenhouse as a surprise birthday present for Roger and they’ve delivered seven! I don’t know what to do!”

“Well, isn’t there a returns document sealed to the packaging?”

“No. But there’s a notice saying ‘paid in full’. I must have ordered seven by mistake.”

I’d learnt from experience that it was no use trying to talk with Gemma over the phone whilst she was in a state. It would be Roger’s birthday at the weekend and it was already Thursday.

As I pulled up in the car, there was Gemma, waiting by the over-sized cardboard packaging on the drive way. Gemma ran towards me, “Thanks for coming over.” Relief swept over her face.

I began to examine the greenhouse packaging and noticed that they were individually labelled in to their sets. There was something else I noticed too.

“I think I know what’s happened. What design of greenhouse was it you asked for?”

“Sepulchre design. You know how Roger likes traditional church architecture.”

“Well, that probably explains it. They thought you’d said ‘seven’.”

Gemma looked up at the sky, as it dawned on her.

“I thought it was strange when the woman asked me to repeat the order. Most people struggle with my Essex accent, but she sounded completely shocked by my request.”

“Would you like me to phone them and explain for you?”

“Would you? It’s all been too much for a Thursday morning.”

***

The Visitor

by Gillian Wright

 

The first year Flora and her family lived in the farmhouse there was just the one visitor who came to stay. She remembered it well. Her children found him endearing. Flora was not so enthusiastic, although he could be charming when he wanted to be.

The next year, the visitor returned, along with a couple of his friends.

These visits continued for several years between October and February. Their presence was becoming a familiar routine and anticipated by Flora as soon as the days became shorter.

Until last year, Flora’s visitors had remained courteously to one room in the house. Now, they were so familiar with the place they entered every room! Not only that, but this year they didn’t leave in February but extended their stay until the end of spring.

“This time,” said Flora to her husband, “They’ve over stayed their welcome. They will have to go.”

Her husband reluctantly agreed. The visitor had disturbed his sleep by making rustling noises in the night. Up until then, he hadn’t been disturbed by him at all.

A year has passed and Flora, her husband and children have the farmhouse back to themselves. Well, almost. Tom, the cat, is now in residence and not a peep from those visitors has been found since.

***