Halloween Hovering, by Susan Dodd,pumpkin spiced latte

Halloween Hovering by Susan Dodd, pumpkin spiced latte

 

It’s everywhere now, I notice, as I make my way up the High Street with golden leaves swirling around me in the chilly breeze.  Piles of pumpkins sit outside the greengrocers, black and orange paper chains festoon the chemist’s window and the ironmonger’s features a bloody scythe, rusty chains and a worryingly real-looking skeleton.  I find it gross; Halloween wasn’t really an event when I was growing up, we didn’t go out trick and treating, dressed in macabre costumes.  Now, as soon as the kids go back to school, the shops are full of gory tat, displayed somewhat incongruously beside cosy Christmas decorations.

 

‘Stop it!’ I tell myself. ‘You’re turning into a grumpy old woman’.  Then I laugh as my age is no longer relevant.  

 

I’m into the residential streets now but Halloween continues to haunt me as I pass gardens draped in fake cobwebs, with plastic spiders and evil-looking ghosts.  Enough of this madness I think and head for my old home.

 

I’m glad there are no holiday-makers staying in our old cottage this week.  I’m also glad the children kept our furniture when they started hiring it out; it makes me feel at home. This cottage has so many memories, toddlers’ first steps, noisy birthday parties with wonky cakes and, later, all that teenage angst.  As I pass the stairs I remember my daughter gliding down in her wedding dress and see the pride on my husband’s face as he took her arm.  I smile; Edward was such a lovely man.

 

I move into the dusky garden, enjoying the muted palette of bronzes and coppers and that slightly sour autumn smell.  Then I sense Edward beside me.

 

‘The Trick and Treaters are out.  Let’s go and mingle?’ He pleads

 

‘No!’ I reply, “Not after last year.  You nearly frightened our old neighbour to death, what with your levitating flower pots and spooky sound affects.’

 

‘Well, he’s such a miserable old git, always moaning about hedges and rubbish bins.  It was a good laugh, you must admit!’

 

I groan.

 

‘I’ll be good; come on it’s the one night of the year we blend in.  We can make sure the kiddies stay safe and the teenagers don’t upset the older folk.’

 

‘Oh go on then, as long as you behave!’

 

So, we float off down the misty street together. I suppose, now that we’re ghosts, we really should try to embrace Halloween.

about the author

 

Susan is a member of two writing groups and enjoys writing romantic fiction. She was short-listed in the national u3a writing competition in 2022 and edits of her village magazine. Susan's a retired staff trainer and shop owner, living with her husband and two cats in the Cotswolds. d you enjoy the story? Would you like to shout us a coffee? Half of what you pay goes to the author the other half goes to expenses e.g. Maintaining the web site and setting up The Best of Café Lit book each year.