Golden Box Book Publishing One Picture: Thousands of Words | Page 76

Sometimes they were called “sorcerers’ rings” or “witches rings”
In Germany, they grew very suddenly on Walpurgisnacht, the eve of
April 30, when witches met to hold parties because of spring. It was
the 30th today. Meaning people at school in the morning, would hit
you on the arm and say pinch punch for the first of the month. So she
may very well lie about being ill so as not to go tomorrow. Or not tell
anyone and just not go.
***
The clocks had gone back during the night. Such a strange
concept. Grown ups did such odd and insensible things like trying to
turn back to a time you've only just had -which even she knew, and
she was very far from their age.
But as a gesture of goodwill she had changed the hands on the
bedside clock accordingly.
A small sun awoke her. Rays squeezing between the gaps where
the curtains never met because of spare curtain rings stuck in the
middle. A wee gap for the weather seasons.
Tugging on a warm jumper, cord trousers and wellingtons, she
made her way downstairs and turned the key in the kitchen door,
leaving it ajar for when she returned.
She knew it was later in reality; and whilst the human world had
been duped she felt an overwhelming need to follow the correct time
by continuing its rhythm and routines as usual. In the park.
***
The small gate in the wall was latched and locked. Large key on
the metal hook drilled into the brick. It weighed her pocket down, and
stretched the fabric, but she always locked the gate behind her in case
the ducklings escaped into her garden where she knew a nightly fox
prowled.