Marmalade was glad she's a house cat when we had a major snowfall, but Raven loved it! I like the snow too, but I got tired of wearing snowshoes. Luckily, I can walk on top of the frozen snow in my boots now!
See below for two short video clips of Brownie (barn cat) and Raven enjoying the outdoors (taken on March 2).
I've included my story 'Molly' in this post, followed by a brief update on two of our three racehorses (we part-own).
But first, here are two more short videos from my book launch. A big thank you to Leah for creating them!
This story was written for a Uxbridge Writers' Circle word challenge. The words I had to use are shown in italics.
Molly
Gertie knows she’s chilled, but has no idea how long she’s been sitting on the cold, cast-iron chair. The patio is positioned on the side of the large, stone house which faces the sea. If Gertie stands on the edge of the patio, she can feel the sea’s pull, and sense the height of the cliffs, as the wind catches her breath and tosses her long, blonde hair into her face. The rocks far below are in constant flux, appearing above, and then disappearing below, the frothy, salty power of the waves.
The smell of the seaweed and sting of the salt air is no comfort to her this morning. Her heart is broken and it’s as if her soul has flown away. There is nothing worth living for. Her only daughter, Pam, has been injured by someone driving a Land Rover, as she was walking down the lane towards the village, looking for her spaniel, Basil, who’d run off again.
Pam is only twenty-seven, with her whole life ahead of her. Gertie’s thoughts revolve in circles, increasing in intensity, eating away at every organ in her body. She’s convinced that Pam won’t make it. She stands up, shaking, and takes small, but deliberate steps to the edge of the patio, and hesitates, looking out to sea, as a numbness takes hold of her.
A red squirrel, carrying an acorn in its mouth, runs across her foot, catching her attention. It’s so unusual to see squirrels on top of the cliff, and red squirrels are especially rare. The oak trees grow a good distance away from the burning salt air, nearer to the edge of the village with its thatched rooves, white-washed walls and climbing roses. For a split second, the surprise visit by the squirrel lifts her gloom. It’s as if the pending doom she expects, has been suspended by invisible strings, hovering above her. But it comes crashing back down, swamping her in darkness. She takes a step to the very edge of the cliff.
A voice reaches her, as if from a distance, muffled by the wind, and she feels a light touch on her arm. Molly hands her a cardigan, unable to hide her red eyes and puffy face, despite her valiant attempts. Gertie is surprised that she finds some solace in someone else, albeit her housekeeper: sharing her sorrow, feeling the pain, understanding. She steps back onto the patio.
Molly tells her that the hospital is on the phone, which is on the cast-iron table by the house. Gertie picks it up, convinced that the news will be dire. She’s dreaded this day. She knew it would happen. She drops the phone when she hears Pam’s voice. Molly picks it up and, incredibly, Pam’s still talking, telling her mother that she’s not ready to croak yet, and that she’ll be fine. Just a broken rib and some bruises.
Gertie mumbles something incoherent and collapses.
Molly has worked with Gertie for nearly thirty years and is well aware of her employer’s inability to cope with any stress, and her over-reaction and exaggeration. She’s not surprised that Pam being hurt would cause Gertie to jump to the conclusion that her daughter is about to die. But, as Molly would have guessed, Gertie hasn’t visited her in hospital, preferring to wallow in despair and self-pity at home.
Molly finds it more and more impossible to tolerate Gertie’s extreme reactions to all the little ups and downs that happen every day. And the woman has no concern for anyone else, including the dog.
She reflects that it would have been so easy to push Gertie off the cliff. No-one would have suspected a thing. Gertie has threatened to jump several times, to end it all. But Molly let the opportunity pass. As she handed Gertie her cardigan, she knew she could never do it.
The only living thing in the house that Molly cares about is Basil. He’s a special dog. His unconditional love, his playfulness, and his desire to please despite all the odds are like a life-line for Molly. And now he’s run off. Who can blame him?
She helps Gertie back to bed, packs her bags and gets into the Land Rover to search for Basil. Rather than bumping off Gertie and Pam and enjoying the inheritance she is due, her new plan is to steal the Land Rover, find the dog and start a new life somewhere as far away from this hell-hole as possible.
Vicky Earle Copyright 2025
Update on Racehorses!
Audi's World (Audi) and Gizzmo (Toby) have started their preliminary training. They are being ridden in a riding arena.
They will likely be heading for Woodbine Racetrack at the end of this month, if the weather cooperates. They will be in Julia Carey's barn (Julia is their trainer) and start their serious training!
Raven and Brownie Enjoying the Snow!
Yes, Raven's ball does squeak!
Please share.
Happy Reading!
Vicky
PS I'm writing page 54 of book 7 of my Meg Sheppard Mystery Series!
Comments