A Right Old Fiasco in Borrington
Page 40
Ellie is sat alone at an enormous mahogany dining table. A large, silver pendant rests on her lap, on to which she appears to be sewing a design. Her hand constantly going to a cantilever sewing box sat on the ornate white doily covering the table. A silver candelabra serves as the table’s centrepiece, three white candles illuminating Ellie’s serene face. I become aware of a strong but pleasant smell of melting wax. She is beckoning me across to her. But she's dead. Harry told me. Am I dead too. Did I die in the pub? Did Selena shoot me in the head? And then I am gliding across to her. That’s peculiar my feet aren’t moving. Am now sitting on a wooden chair opposite her. Suddenly become aware of the dark shadows lurking all around us. But they remain at a safe enough distance for me not to feel threatened. Which is quite surprising considering that we are completely surrounded and have no means of escape. The shadows now forming themselves into misty shapes. The shapes grow darker, denser and more defined. I sit and watch as they transform themselves into ferocious beasts, floating in the air, huge jaws snapping viciously. Can hear them snarling, can smell them burning, vicious creatures stalking me from the darkest corners of the room. But I know that I'm safe here, they are afraid of the light, they cannot reach me. A silver three piece tea set magically appears on the table, it’s simply stunning. I sit studying it in admiration. All three pieces are so ornate, and each of them appears to have a family crest engraved on both the front and back cartouche. The lid of the teapot has a quite exquisite silver ash leaf as a finial.
Ellie smiles at me, now explaining that I was correct, the teapot, sugar bowl and milk jug do indeed have a family crest engraved upon them. My family crest. I tell her that she must be mistaken, at least, I think it’s very unlikely. My father was a corporal in the Irish Grenadiers and my mother a hairdresser. They had met in Berlin whilst he was serving across there. Had separated when I was a teenager. My mother now living back in Germany, my father having passed away several years previously. Neither had ever made mention of a family crest. The silver tea set vanishes, an equally ornate china tea set appears in its place. Ellie enquiring as to whether I have any siblings, answer that I have none to my knowledge. She now asks me what understanding I have of Genealogy. Only that it is the study of family history, not that I have ever felt a desire to delve into my own ancestry. Staring at me intently, her eyes clearly conveying her disappointment. Genealogy is from the Greek, generation and knowledge, with the resources available to you I am somewhat surprised. It is a fascinating subject. It’s never too late Jason.
Ellie is now pouring me a cup of tea from the decorative white china tea pot. I am fascinated by its distinctive pattern, a truly beautiful blue dragon. The exact same as the pattern on the tea cup I now find myself drinking from. She offers me a piece of fruit cake. I decline the offer on seeing that the currents in the fruit cake appear to be moving, seemingly attempting to burrow their way deeper inside. Ellie seems unperturbed.
That's odd, the blue dragon is moving around in circles on the tea cup, its wings slowly flapping. It looks up at me and winks. I almost drop the tea cup. Ellie staring across at me, she looks radiant, so peaceful. Now smiling, she informs me that I have nothing to fear from the dragon, that I am incredibly privileged to be offered the opportunity to draw on both its strength, and its wisdom. One of the candles extinguishes itself, but in so doing, it allows the shadow monsters to creep closer. I’m now convinced that I can taste them, taste the rancid smoke, know that this foul black entity fully intends to wrench my mouth open before filling my lungs with its evil presence. Am staring to grow anxious as I become aware that a second candle is beginning to flicker.
I ask her for confirmation that I died in the pub and enquire as to what will happen to me now. She smiles at me, shaking her head before informing me that I am still very much alive, that it isn’t my time and that I have work to do. That the world I know will change rapidly and that there will be unimaginable horrors to contend with. I must trust to my instincts, allow myself to grow emotionally and eventually, overcome the obstacles placed in my path so allowing me to flourish in the company of the dragon. Love is power and shall overcome all.
The second candle has now extinguished itself. My right foot is suddenly feeling incredibly cold, look down to find it has gone from my sight, concealed within the jaws of the ravenous black smoke creature. Feel an overwhelming sense of fear as I struggle to pull it free. Finally, the creature’s jaw relinquishes its grip, I hastily pull my foot free, both my legs now safely under the table. I look nervously at the final candle. It too is starting to flicker.
Ellie still speaking to me calmly, if somewhat hurriedly, as she glances anxiously at the final candle. "The letter entrusted to you by my darling Harry remains unopened, and is now lost in the library. I will need you Jason Sinclair, to ensure that it is placed into the hands of its intended." The letter? But I gave it to Jessica earlier." "Be that as it may, it is now lost. You must retrieve the letter and place it into Jessica's hand. Do you understand Jason? You must promise me this. It is so vitally important that she has the letter in her possession. Now go and be safe, I will see you again soon but worry not, only as a guide. Repeat to me what you must do." " I must place the book into Jessica’s hand."
I watch as the black smoke creatures form into one enormous beast, and then I recognise the face of the beast, Councillor Fuker, and he's creeping ever closer, his jaws snapping viciously, frenziedly looking for an opening. I look towards Ellie. She has a concerned expression, her voice slightly raised.
" You should go now Jason Sinclair. Go and be safe."
The candle flickers dangerously. The light fast fading. An icy coldness now enveloping me. I find myself shivering, struggling to breath. Ellie becomes transparent and then she is gone. Am suddenly alone. And then comes the sound of heavy flapping as the blue dragon stretches it wings and flies free of the tea cup. It is now an enormous and quite magnificent beast, breathing fire at the smoke monster whilst grasping me in its huge talons. A whispered female voice proclaiming her love for me. That she will protect me. A warmth spreads through me, comforting me and then the whispered voice instructs me to sleep.
Book 2:
Where’s the 'F' in Borrington
Due 2016
About the Author
M W Foolster is a Londoner, born and bred, a fact he is extremely proud of. His love of Crime Fiction, Music and Comedy, along with the experiences he himself endured growing up on a rough London Estate, inspired him into writing his debut book, the first in a series of original Crime Comedy Capers set in the fictional London Borough of Borrington.
For further updates please visit: www.facebook.com/mwfoolster