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15.9.16

SLEEPING BEAUTY - a ghost story

SLEEPING BEAUTY

When old Maureen died, her long-absent nephew searched fruitlessly for her rumoured fortune and departed, cursing.
For years the cottage slept within its thorn thicket, guarded by savage nettles, while Maureen waited with the patience of the grave.

Then Clare saw the mossy roof from the road, fell in love, and bought it. Cheerfully they scythed the jungle, cleaned the windows, stripped wallpaper, and built a fire. When smoke belched into Clare’s face she merely laughed and poked a stick up the chimney to clear it.
Out fell a tin box.

Maureen’s ghost smiled with satisfaction – finally, a worthy successor!

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I have just returned from visiting my daughter who, with her husband, has bought a cottage in Northern Ireland. They had to chop down man-high undergrowth to reach it, and they've got their work cut out for months to come, but they're loving it. Hence this story, prompted by a different fireplace. Thanks to Shaktiki Sharma for the photo and to Rochelle at  https://rochellewisofffields.wordpress.com/  for hosting Friday Fictioneers.
This is the NI cottage - its owners consider they've already found their treasure.


33 comments:

  1. And they all lived happily ever after!

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  2. :-) Nice take.

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  3. Glad you liked it, Helen.

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  4. Oh, I enjoyed that, Liz. And I love the look of your daughter's new cottage - there's nothing quite like a home project (if you have the stamina for it!).

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    1. They've bought a caravan to move into while they renovate the cottage - and I hope their stamina lasts the course!

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  5. At least it wasn't an "up in smoke" tale.

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  6. That's a lovely modern fairytale, a moral, a happy ending and an enchanted setting. Beautiful.

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  7. I like this very much.
    Livehomeandaway

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  8. Your descriptions are quite lovely. I can see the tangle and the clearing away.

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    1. The tangle was so tall it nearly ate them!

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  9. Awww…that was sweet!

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  10. Great story Liz. With a feel-good ending.

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    1. Sometimes ican write nice stories rather than death and destruction!

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  11. Lovely to think that Maureen will be at peace knowing her home's in loving hands. Beautiful story, and I'm glad for your daughter. Their cottage looks so appealing.

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    1. It will be perfect when they've re-roofed, put in a damp course, replaced the bathroom etc etc!

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  12. Oh I do love this.. great to find someone worthy of her fortunes.

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    1. Maureen knew what she was looking for.

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  13. Dear Liz,

    I'm not sure how I missed this lovely story. There's nothing better than a well-deserved happy ending.

    Shalom,

    Rochelle

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    1. Thanks Rochelle - I'm surprised you manage to read them all each week!

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  14. Both a lovely story and a lovely cottage, Liz. Good writing. :) --- Suzanne

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