WELFARE AND SCHOOL GATES

Disclaimer (another one). The following flash fiction does not reflect the opinions of Lily Childs, or anyone else Lily happens to know/be.
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WELFARE AND SCHOOL GATES

They follow me home.

Trajectory reflections on wet, winter windows give them away. Sly expressions on sneering cold faces bear down on me; judging, accusing me.

‘Unfit mother.’

I stop suddenly. I pivot on sodden leaves; rain penetrates the holes in the soles of my boots.

There’s no-one there.

Yet they’re with me still as I reach my house. Living ghosts. Uninvited they knock, not at my door but inside my head. They pound on my walls with their criticisms.

I scream.

School letters with threats tear at my sanity. I question my ability to raise my children. I don’t blend in. I am not the pristine parent with neat, tight hair. My babies do not go to this club or that club. I do not want to meet up for frothy coffee with other mums who do not care to work for a living, and gossip about their uninteresting lives.

My sons and me… We don’t need the gazes of the snoots and the snoops. But they won’t leave us be.

Next time they hound me, I’ll lock us in, keep my boys with me, and never go out again.

Give them a real reason to hunt me down.

Scuttle

If you wondered about the lady Carlotta from my nasty little short The Apprentice, then her tale is ready to be told.

Scuttle has just been published on Thrillers Killers 'n' Chillers.

It's not for the faint hearted. Don't say I didn't warn you...

Ghost Hunters

I'm really enjoying Sci-Fi's Ghost Hunters at the moment. Beats Most Haunted hands-down.

Love the way they discount everything before they'll accept it as possibly paranormal.

They're such a cool bunch of people.

Latest Tale posted on Thrillers Killers 'n' Chillers

My latest short chiller, Ghost Story, has been published at http://thrillskillsnchills.blogspot.com/2009/10/ghost-story-by-lily-childs.html

Excerpts:

"I come at the behest of all souls who have trodden this Earth, who still roam her surface unseen – overlapping by the millions – to give you fair warning..."

"Leave your séances to the Victorian parlour. Why reach out for us? Why drag us back when we do not want to return?.."

"The isolated, heady-scent of Damask Rose in a single spot in your house; water tumbling from washer-tight taps; a freezing cold finger at the nape of your neck in the heatwave of summer..."
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I think 'The Narrator' in the tale agrees with Mr Brown for once - there is no Plan B.

Ghost Hunting

I want to hear your experiences of ghosts and spirits. What did you see, hear or feel? Where did this happen? When did it happen? Did anyone else experience this?

Add your comments below, or fill in my contact form at http://www.lilychilds.co.uk/contact.php

I might use your experience for some of my characters in a forthcoming novel (unless you object.)

Additionally, if I get enough responses I might consider an anthology.

Col Bury - a crime writer's choice

Check out my virtual mate Col Bury's blog - Col Bury's New Crime Fiction. Very inspiring.

You might just find a couple of things on there by little 'ole me and some other maties.

Feardom in Alex's house

All hell has broken loose. Last night's writing episode had me quaking in my (brand-new kinky) boots.

My own house was trembling; knocking. I felt like I was being watched - I'm sure I am.