Writing for Fun
This group has been meeting since October 2014. We meet in the Methodist Hall in Honiton once a month on the fourth Monday, and as we are using a hall where there is a hire charge we each pay a small fee to cover the cost of the hire. The group is a mixture of new and experienced writers who all want to write for pleasure.
We explore various ideas to help stimulate writing and have been experimenting with different tasks. The members of the group like the opportunity to get together to discuss their writing. It also helps to exchange ideas and encourages everyone to try out some new writing activities.
There are still places available in the group so if you are interested in joining please contact Sue Horswood.
This Month's offering from the 'Writing For Fun' Group.
THE MISCHIEF MAKER
by Susan Unsworth
“You cantankerous mischief maker. How could you abuse my hospitality like that. I’ve always made you welcome and never minded your sudden appearances. But this is the limit!”
“But………..”
“No buts. You’ve really gone too far this time. I can barely speak with rage. You have been around longer than me and I thought you had at least a modicum of decency and manners. No! Don’t you look at me like that. This is not some fancy story, this is my life and you have been unspeakably awful over the last few days. I know we’ve had some fun and you’ve helped me a lot, making my writing entertaining and believable enough to sell. In turn that has enabled me to keep you in company in your old home...but this time…this time...well, I am cross! I’m upset, I’m livid!
“You have made your point.”
“Point ! If you weren’t already dead I’d probably finish you off myself ! When I bought this place, and inherited you with it I thought, well, there is clearly more to this life than is always seen, so I accepted you. For fifteen years we have rubbed along together well. Cared for each other in a way. And now, well I feel very let down.”
“Your face is a bit red and teary.”
“Teary, I am screaming with rage! How dare you!”
“But. I’m sorry. I...I thought I was losing you, you see, so I did those tired old ghostly things to...”
“Yes I know, to frighten off the woman I love. Well you’ve just lost your chance of having a family around you, haven't you ?”
“I’d been so lonely for years until you arrived. You helped me be at one with the changed world around me.”
“Yes and now you’ve frightened off our future good and proper. You, for the first time ever, make me want to sell this place and be rid of you. It’s what you deserve after this fiasco.”
A gentle tapping at the door halted the vocal match.
“Hello Tim, it’s me can I come in ?” says a cherished face appearing around the door. “I heard you shouting at it. It’s kind of ‘real’ isn’t it?”
“Yes, it is a ghost – actually quite a friendly one normally. It’s frightened of you making me leave this place.”
“Oh I would never do that.”
“I know that, but he does not believe me.”
“Well, in that case he had better show himself to me because we will be spending a lot of time together so he had better get used to my being here.” Smiling and admiring her strength of character I introduce her to William Richard Arden, late Baronet, who will continue to be welcome and teach our many children his tricks. As long as he behaves himself!
© Susan Unsworth 2019