I have to report that, in the year of our Lord AD 2017, a most peculiar occurrence took place at my dwelling on All Hallows Eve just passed.
I was safely interred behind locked doors, comfortable beside a warm fire, and safely away from all Ghosties, Ghoulies and other haunts of the season, when I was aroused from my contemplations by a knock upon my door, followed closely by the sound of a key in the lock. I looked up in time to see my daughter enter and for a brief moment felt relief for her safe return, until my eyes fell upon that which stood behind her!
I cannot describe my shock as no less than seven witches (OK! Six and a half if you allow for the smallest, who had forsaken the more traditional broomstick for a buggy) walked (or toddled) in behind her and disposed themselves around the fire to warm their chilled extremities. Now I must point out at this point that they were all somewhat diminutive in stature, but witches non-the-less, a fact I established by their demands for sustenance on pain of a severe beating or an eternity of frogdom should I fail to provide such a repast.
Thus it was that I found myself dashing back-and-forth between kitchen and living room as the hellions feasted on hot chocolate, hot pasties and cake as they divided their night’s spoils among themselves, meanwhile making up for their lack of size by a level of noise which had me fearing for the plaster upon the ceiling and walls!
Replete at last, they then renewed their demands, this time for entertainment and at last silence (comparative) fell as they gathered themselves around the TV to watch Casper the Friendly Ghost, with the exception of the littlest who decided to perch herself conveniently on my knee as she attempted to beat me senseless with her (fortunately for me) inflatable, plastic wand which appeared to soothe her savage nature as she eventually went to sleep!
To our great fortune rescue eventually arrived in the form of various mommy’s who carefully identified their offspring before carting them off to resume their mundane lives on the ‘morrow. All except one that is, who had enjoyed herself so much, she’d decided to stay. However, it transpired that upon removing the green face paint and assorted stick-on warts, that this was no less than Lucy, who by then was so sleepy that she went straight off to bed without any objection whatever (A most unusual occurrence!). Sad to relate, she reserved enough common sense to ensure she took her stash of treats with her to prevent grandpa pinching any. Curses!
