We got invited round to Terence and Shirley’s for drinkies; to wish each other a happy new year. I was slightly nervous because Terence passed on the invitation verbally to Stephano and there were no specifics mentioned. Do we bring Little Miss Eight? Or get a babysitter? Will there be food or should we eat before we leave? Dress up, or stay casual? Terence did say that a few close neighbours were also invited.
Conversations with Snooty Shirley are frustrating since she misplaced her hearing aid.
‘I’ve just seen several bats flying around my house,’ she shrieked. ‘Nasty little creatures! Where do you suppose they live?’
Stephano sighed. ‘With an old bat in a nearby cave.’
‘Don’t be silly. There’s no cave around here,’ she retorted.
‘There’s one a few doors away,’ he smirked.
‘I can’t hear you. Speak up,’ Shirley demanded.
‘THERE’S ONE FAR AWAY!’
Her eyes bored into him.
Stephano has known for ages that Shirley has furry little tenants in her attic!
He’s not quite ready to tell her yet!
Batty Shirley is in response to Charli’s flash fiction challenge. 99 words; no more, no less.
As part of my writing exercise schedule, I decided to take part in Sacha Black’s 52 Week Writespiration.
Sacha gives a writing prompt or picture every week for 52 weeks and we have to tell our story in EXACTLY 52 words. I’m jumping in here at week 42 and the prompt this week is, Terrified.
“See you later,” she said.
“You will,” I replied.
I spoke with a smile but inside I cried.
I started to sweat, I put down my phone
My legs were jelly, I was chilled to the bone.
Fear engulfed me, it turned my hair curly
How will I survive dinner with Shirley!?
A couple of months ago, I told you about My Perfect New Neighbour (to be).
So, who has been blessed with the privilege of living next door to moi? It’s the woman who sat in her car eating a family-size chocolate bar. Her name is Shirley and her husband is Terence. Aren’t they the lucky ones! Are we lucky to be living next door to them though? That is the question!
My dream neighbour specification; Someone friendly, quiet, my age, has one child aged six, wants to join a writing group, likes to go chéile dancing, likes to go for walks (on my terms), enjoys the occasional glass of wine and Guinness, listens to André Rieu, understands good ole Irish banter & sarcasm, and knows how to boil the kettle properly.
Did I get my dream neighbour? No, of course not.
Poems and Stories
Sharing The Book Love Since 2016
Short Stories by Shan Storyteller
Mostly books, with a little wine writing on the side
And, for good measure, a bit of Cooking and Eating
Join me on my adventures through life!
Gloria McBreen 