Copyright CE Ayr
Rain hammers on the roof, as the carriage sways and jolts through the forest, and the horses whinny in panic when lightning flashes reveal decaying bodies dangling from barren branches.
Glancing sideways, I flinch at his stern countenance, my stomach roiling apprehensively at the torment awaiting me at Surbiton Hall.
The carriage lurches to a halt, and my senses reel in despair.
He leaps onto the gravel drive, and hammers on the great doors, which swing open immediately.
She is there. My wicked stepmother. She speaks.
“I hope we’re not going to have any more of her drama-queen antics this half-term, Harold.”
A lighter note this week, I think – after all we’re halfway through the winter now. Thanks to our own Snow Queen, Rochelle Wisoff-Fields for her ministrations on behalf of Friday Fictioneers.
castelsarrasin 
Decaying bodies hanging from trees is a lighter note? A lovingly evoked Gothic atmosphere, Sandra
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I laughed at that too, Neil
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Well at least I didn’t eviscerate them…
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The magician misdirects.
Wonderfully well done.
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Thanks CE. Great photo – I wish I’d had time to do it more justice but I’m off out now and this was the first thing that came to mind.
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Dear Sandra,
Methinks the young lady on her way home for midterm has a vivid imagination. What say ye? Well written no matter what.
Shalom,
The Snow Queen 😉
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PS In looking at the title, I’m hoping I’m not too far off the track.
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Spot on Rochelle! 🙂 And the title is simply her over-dramatised, hyperactive imagination at work.
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Hee-hee-heeeeeeee! Fun stuff, Sandra. But, why could I see Rochelle playing the part of the narrator? I’d say that would be a bit “extreme” in casting … don’t you agree, Cuzzin’ Shelley? 😀
Five out of five Games of Thrones.
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She’s got the imagination for it, Kent, but not, I think, the disposition. 🙂
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😉
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Dangling bodies from trees put me in mind of a ghoul’s Christmas. Well done.
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Thanks for reading. 🙂
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The extreme Gothic had me thrown too. Nice twist 🙂
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Thanks for reading Jane. 🙂
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oooo, that was a scary one! Good write!
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Thank you!
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The dark intertwines with a flash of comedy in this one. Such a lovely piece, overall!
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Thank you Matthew. 🙂
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Nice…but I get the feeling I’m missing something…
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It’s just a child with an over-active imagination going to spend half-term holiday with her father and stepmother. Nothing to miss, I’m afraid, Claire.
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Over-active you say? Just a tad… guess she and the step-mother are not the best of friends… a classic
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Thanks Dale.
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Love that opening paragraph – who could resist galloping through the rest after that? I’m sure the holidays will be better than that – at least minus the swinging bodies! Ever tried your hand at Gothic fiction, Sandra? You’d be very good at it. Great tale 🙂
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I’ve a few Gothic nightmares in my back-catalogue, Lynn. 🙂
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Nice twist, I wonder what else she will imagine over the holidays.
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The sky’s the limit, I fear, Iain.
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What a wonderful sense of humour (a lighter note). Great enjoyable read.
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Thanks Graham.
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Moody!
Nice work. 🙂
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Thank you!
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My stomach toiled too. Evil stepmom indeed. Loved it!
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Thanks, Julie.
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Cute
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With an imagination like that she has the makings of a good writer!
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Exactly! Thanks Siobhan.
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She sounds like a handful this one.
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Wait while she gets a bit older… 🙂
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I thought vivid imagination too! Her musings were so realistic they gave me shivers. Great story Sandra!
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Thanks, Jessie.
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Ha! This one caught me off guard.
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Either the writer or the narrator is laying it on a bit thick here. Knowing that’s not your usual style, I am going to lay the blame at the feet of the young drama queen. Makes me wonder whether the reality is actually a hatchback pulling into the drive of a semi in Croydon! 😉
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That was it exactly, Jen. Hence Surbiton Hall. And a carriage for a Corsa. But my attempts at satire/irony sometimes miss their mark.
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A girl with a vivid imagination – was that you?
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It was indeed, Liz. 🙂
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Ha ha! Judging by her imaginings on the way to the house, I fear more “drama-queen antics” are in store 🙂
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She leads a very full life.
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I love it. This kid will be a writer one day. 😀
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Exactly so! 🙂
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Ha.. what a great imagination… The bodies swinging and the wicked stepmother sounded too good (bad) to be true.
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🙂 Thanks for reading, Bjorn.
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Ha! Soooo well told. I want more of this!
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Thanks, Laurie.
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i wonder what happens next. incarcerated in the tower perhaps?
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Thumbscrews, I think. 😉
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I second the comment that she’ll be a writer!
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She probably already is! 🙂
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Great misdirect, having travelled by train through forests in Central Europe recently I was right there until e arrived at Surbiton where my Mother grew up.
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Thanks Michaael, glad you liked it.
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Hopefully, she’ll put that imagination of hers to good use in the future!
…when I grow up! My tale.
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I should imagine she will have exhausted it by the time she grows up. Thanks for reading, Keith.
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Since when did you start writing humor? I could see this as a scene from a Mel Brooks movie.
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I used to contribute quite regularly to the Short Humour site, Russell. I’m surprised to find you’re not there. http://www.short-humour.org.uk/alphabeticalwriters/alphabeticalwriters.htm Thanks for dropping by.
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I went there and read Hero. I’m glad iewasn’t drinking anything or I would have spewed all over the screen. Vividly described. Especially, the part where, at the end, she slipped quietly off. Felt sorrier for the ducks, though. Talk about snatching defeat from the mouth of victory …
Brilliant, Sandra! 😀 😀 😀
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Glad you liked it Kent. 🙂
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🙂
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I pity the child and scorn his acceptance of her treatment!
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I think you may have taken something from this story that wasn’t intended, but thank you for reading. 🙂
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Maybe. Sorry!
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No worries – you weren’t alone. 😉
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Was it her childhood that was abducted?
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I think the only thing that’s been abducted is the parents’ patience at having such a melodramatic, hyper-imaginative off-spring. 😉
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👍👌👌👌
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She’ll always have Heathcliff.
I prescribe some sunshine for you.
Tracey
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As long as it’s free at the point of delivery… 😉 Thanks for reading Tracey.
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Cheaper than most drugs.
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You’re vivid images drew me in to what I thought was going to be a dark story. Absolutely loved the twist.
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Thanks for stopping to read it! 🙂
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I hope she grows up to be a writer… sounds like she has the imagination for it.
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I think she’s halfway there. 🙂
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Okay did not see that coming! Love the Cinderella or Snow White illusions. At first I saw step mom and thought Cinderella, but the Harold made me think of Snow White. Love it!
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Thanks for reading Ashley.
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I read your story and enjoyed it, Ashley. There was nowhere to ‘like’ it, and I’m not a fan of having to fill in boxes in order to comment, but I didn’t want you to think I hadn’t returned your visit.
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She must hate her boarding school! Enjoyed the read thank you
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Thanks Dahlia.
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Thanks for visiting Dahlia. 🙂
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Teenagers! I could see the imaginary scene playing out in the mind of a “go-between” child.
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Sometimes the dream is more entertaining than the reality. 🙂 Thanks for reading Honie.
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Left me reeling and roiling. I hate Surbiton too but perhaps not this much!
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🙂 Thanks for reading.
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I take it Harold exaggerates a bit?
Amusing story this week Sandra.
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Not Harold, Dawn. His daughter perhaps?
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Yes, okay.
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Love it, love it, love it. Kapow, the surprise.
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Hehehehe!
She either thinks she’s Fiona Shrek’s wife or Cinderella.
Loved it.
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Wow! What an opening scene! Enjoyed.
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Ha ha! You captured her character expertly.
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You totally had me gritting my teeth, and then smiling wryly. FANTASTIC bit of fiction this week, Sandra! Different than your usual, except for the wonderful quality. Loved it!
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