Writing for Fun
November 2017
Things That Go Bump In The Night - Diane Silverston
‘What was that?’ the frightened whisper came through the darkness.
‘I don’t know,’ came a nervous reply. ‘Where are you?’
‘Over by the window but it’s so dark I can’t see anything.’
Then the older voice filtered through. ‘Stay there, I’ll make my way over to you.’
There was a silent pause, then a rustling sound.
‘Is that you?’ Again the frightened whisper.
‘Yes I think I’m nearly with you.’
Again a silence in the eeriness. Not a glimmer of light. Not even a speck.
Then suddenly warmth as her sister joined her. Hands clasped hands.
An audible sigh of relief. At least they were together.
‘There it is again. What can it be?’ Jeannie’s voice was very tense, ‘I wish we had never come.’
‘We had no choice, we had to go somewhere for Christmas. I couldn’t bear it if we had been sent to different foster homes. Grandad’s was the only place I could think of.’
‘But I don’t like it. Everything is so strange and old.’
‘I know,’ replied Penny ‘but we have to be brave and make the best of it. Come on let’s get to bed. I’ll stay here with you.’
The two girls, Jeannie aged 7 and Penny aged 9, started to snuggle down. Soon they were asleep.
Suddenly they were woken by another noise. ‘I’m so scared,’ Jeannie started to cry.
‘Don’t cry, I’m here.’
Just then the moon came out from behind the clouds and light flooded into the room.
‘Look,’ said Penny ‘We’re just in an old house, it will creak and make strange noises.’
‘Penny, look it has snowed.’ Jeannie was on her knees looking out of the window. ‘Everywhere is white.’
The two girls knelt together, arms on the windowsill, heads together.
‘Look down there, great big footprints. I wonder who has walked around.’
Just then they saw a figure . . . dressed in red . . . carrying a sack.
‘It’s Santa,’ whispered Jeannie. ‘How did he know we were here?’
They heard a door bang as the figure disappeared.
‘He has come in . . . by the door not the chimney.’ Jeannie’s voice was showing excitement.
‘Quick we must not be awake when he comes, under the covers quickly.’ Penny pulled the sheets and blankets over them.
Next morning when the girls awoke they looked around the room. It didn’t look that scary. Out of the window the snow was glistening.
Then they heard a gruff voice. ‘Come on you two lazy bones. Get up and come down.’
‘Grandad’s up and calling us. Quickly get your dressing gown on.’ Penny helped her younger sister.
They nervously went down the stairs into the kitchen.
There was their Grandfather who they hardly knew but he had taken them in when they had turned up the day before.
‘Here’s a slice of toast each and hot chocolate. Come on bring it into the other room. You’ll never guess what has happened over night.’
The two girls followed their Grandfather feeling rather worried.
As he opened the large double doors they gasped with amazement. They room was decorated with stars and tinsel. In the alcove near a burning log fire was an enormous tree covered with baubles and an angel on top.
Round the base of the tree were piles of presents.
‘Happy Christmas my dears.’ He gave them both a huge bear hug.
Jeannie’s eyes were like saucers and a lovely smile was on her face. Penny felt safe for the first time since the accident that had robbed them of their parents.
On the back of the large armchair was Grandad’s jacket.
Was it brown . . . or was it red?