Haunting Echoes
3 – Clarrie
Mrs Lynch had obviously been waiting to pounce on
Clarrie when she returned last night, but with the
kindest intentions. She wanted to know what time to
make breakfast. “We’re always up at seven, even on
Sundays, but we never mind what time we eat, so you
just choose when you would like it… No, No,” Doris
insisted when Clarrie said she didn’t need anything
cooked but would be glad of a packed sandwich to take
out, “You need to start the day with a good meal, but
cooking for all three of us together will save me time.”
Before saying goodnight, she nodded towards the end
of the landing. “His room is along there next to yours
so you might hear him come up, although he does try
to tread lightly. He’s out most nights, either with his son
or baby-sitting for his daughter, but you’ll meet him in
the morning. Lovely, lovely man, don’t know what I’d
have done without him after my Sam died.” The last
thing Clarrie wanted was a rundown on the family
history, so with a smile of thanks, she escaped quickly
into her own room.
The painting drew her eye as soon as she switched
on the light and for a second or two she thought there
was movement within it… The clouds were drifting –
the figures walking. The moment passed and she
attributed it to being so tired. After enjoying a hot
shower it wasn’t long before Clarrie was drifting to
sleep… until an image formed in her mind’s eye,
something else she’d glimpsed in the picture that she
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