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| Subject: Mrs Haggerty’s store | |
Author: Paul | [ Next Thread |
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] Date Posted: 21:35:21 01/21/08 Mon I suppose every English village must have one? A small store filled with all manner of goods. We had one in our village and it was run by a very jolly lady called Mrs Haggerty. The shop itself was a rather quaint looking affair with small paned windows and an array of jars and packets that drew your eye inside. Mrs Haggerty herself was a round faced woman who always seemed to be laughing and jolly. I used to go to the store with my little sister Alice, she was only three, and would always pester me to buy her sweets. Mother always gave me enough money to buy her groceries and a little left over for some sweeties for us. It was always a chore, as Alice stared at all the jars, wide eyed and unable to decide which ones she really wanted. Old Ma Haggerty used to chuckle every time, her glowing cheeks, bright red, her bosom jostling over the counter top. Eventually Alice would be content, and the old lady used to weigh the sweets in the scales, adding a few more for luck, and then tie the paper bag with a twist before handing it down to my beaming sister. Alice and I used to walk home along the lane, sniffing the flowers and talking to the horses and cows on the way. I always had a large basketful of items, my arms aching as we trudged home. It was always worth it though, to see Mother’s warm smile as we walked into the kitchen with her groceries. I remember that afternoon in the June. Mother came out into the garden to find me. “ Where’s Alice?” She asked concerned. I had not seen her for a while, but guessed that she would probably be hiding in the Wendy house, or under the bed in our room. She was in none of the usual places. Mother started to panic. “She was counting her pennies earlier”, She said wearily, “Run down to Haggerty’s shop quick, see if she has gone there”. “I’ll get my coat”, I replied. I ran as fast as my legs would carry me, along the lane, past the wild flowers and hedgerows, not even stopping to look at the horses. My heart was pounding in time to the heavy footfalls, as my breath was barely able to sustain my lungs. As I rounded the corner, I saw Mrs Haggerty standing in the road waving her arms at a man. I slowed to a brisk walk, then even slower as I saw the small bundle of rag on the pavement. Mrs Haggerty wasn’t laughing anymore, her cheery eyes full of tears. It took me years to come to terms with that day. Alice had run to the shop. Mrs Haggerty had seen her coming and had run out to see why she was alone. Alice was so pleased to see her she ran straight out into the lane as Mr Glenister came along in his motor car. She didn’t stand a chance. Mrs Haggerty saw her fly through the air, landing twisted and bloodied with not a breath of life left in her. On the ground were the tiny pennies she had been clutching in her hand. I never saw Mrs Haggerty laugh again, but then I never felt like laughing myself either. I still walk the lane and talk to the cows and horses, sniffing the flowers along the way. The old shop is long gone, yet I still imagine that little smiling face walking beside me clutching her bag of sweets. She would have been 55 today. Little Alice, forever beautiful, just a memory in the heart of an old man. Who wishes he had run faster and left his coat behind. (c) Paul Osborne 2008 [ Next Thread | Previous Thread | Next Message | Previous Message ] |
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Author: Sasha [ Edit | View ] |
Date Posted: 18:35:14 01/23/08 Wed ~ awwww...this is sooo deeply moving, Paulie that ending was bloody brilliant, hon so heartbreakingly sad...penned with excellence!!! *hugs* Sash xx  . [ Post a Reply to This Message ] |
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Author: Paul [ Edit | View ] |
Date Posted: 19:55:19 01/23/08 Wed Thanks Sash, I enjoy the short stories, as you know I have written novel length too...as I recall I even bored...sorry entertained you with some readings! LOL Love the visits of my Kiwi FF Peace and love, Paul [ Post a Reply to This Message ] |
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Author: Wilopent [ Edit | View ] |
Date Posted: 09:33:31 01/24/08 Thu Hi Paul, Oh my . . . your story was so vivid and ended so poignantly. The beginning reminded me of when I myself was small and in charge of younger siblings, walking to the candy store down the block in Brooklyn, NY. I loved them dearly, but being responsible for little ones, a child myself, was sometimes a real burden. Once on a trip to the neighborhood park,I stood on a swing with my little sister seated beneath me as I pumped and she cried, "Higher! Higher!". I remember saying "Hold on tight, Patty", but somehow she let go while we were high in the air and fell to the leaf covered concrete below. I was screaming as I couldn't stop the swing fast enough and when I jumped off, she was blue and couldn't breathe. I was only 8 and terrified, shaking her and banging her back, thinking she was going to die right there in my arms. It seemed like everything was ending and the guilt flooded over me. When she finally caught her breath, with old leaves stuck to her bloodied hair and I thought it was a miracle. Even though, I was severely punished, I was forever grateful that she didn't die. To think of you as a child, experiencing such horror, breaks my heart. You told your story beautifully. Thank you so much for sharing the memories. I can tell you loved her well. Hugs, Wilo [ Post a Reply to This Message ] |
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Author: Paul [ Edit | View ] |
Date Posted: 13:05:37 01/24/08 Thu My dearest Wilo, Your story is far more harrowing, for mine was only a work of fiction.My sister, much older and wiser than me is now 60 and very much alive and kicking! LOL I am glad that you had a happy ending to your tale, and I send love to you for being so caring, Peace and love, Paul. [ Post a Reply to This Message ] |
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Author: Wilopent [ Edit | View ] |
Date Posted: 20:01:13 01/24/08 Thu Hi Paul, Well, I would never have guessed that your story was fiction. I'm so glad that it was. Thanks for your heartfelt chimes on my sharing. xoxo Wilopent [ Post a Reply to This Message ] |