Lianne skipped from her brother’s room. She was bored and left him with his trains. He was fixated with them. She really did think boys were stupid.
She walked down the hall and into her own room. Bingo was still lying on his blanket but his tail didn’t wag when she spoke to him. Lianne prodded the dog. She didn’t expect him to move but she decided to check anyway. There was nothing. She stared into his eyes and then kissed him on the back of the neck. She felt sad but she knew that being unhappy should always follow a loss.
Her mother called from the kitchen, “Come on you two, we are going to take Bingo for a walk.”
The wee girl struggled with the body and wrapped him up in his blanket.
She heard her mother’s steps heading towards her room.
“Ah there you are
… Bingo!
…Oh no!
…What happened to Bingo?”
“I think he’s in Heaven mummy.”
She gently put her hand on the little dog’s ribs. There was no movement. Her eyes began to fill up.
“Oh my God!”
She sat down on the edge of the bed and pulled her daughter towards her.
“Michael! Stay in your room and play with your trains.”
“You don’t need to tell him that mummy.”
She smiled through her tears.
‘What happened?”
“I just found him lying there. I knew you’d be upset. I covered him up so you couldn’t see his eyes…They were so sad.”
“You are such a thoughtful girl.”
She began to cry, “…And so brave. He’s only a little dog. We’ll bury him in the back garden. Do you want to carry him?”
“Yes mummy, it’ll be my way of saying Bye-Bye to him. We can put him beside the hamster and the cat.”
“I’m sure, he’d like that. Oh you have even looked out a piece of plastic. Is that so his blanket doesn’t get dirty?”
“He loved that blanket.”
She kissed the girl on the forehead, “Your thoughtfulness never ceases to amaze me.”
“Can I put on my black dress?”
“You put on what you want.”
“We’ll have a service in the garden! I don’t want to do this but your wee brother should be there. You get ready and I’ll go and get him.”
Lianne went over to her wardrobe and looked for her dress, “He’s not there.”
“I thought he was playing with his trains?”
“He was.”
“Where is he now sweetheart?”
“…With Bingo Mummy.”
literally stories 
I like how I was slowly drawn in by Lianne, the gently slow tone supported her apparent innocence. However, there was a realisation that all was not well and I sensed the menacing shift, ‘she didn’t expect him to move’. It was then clear we were dealing with a little madam, and the story end started to form in my mind, when it came it was expected and equally shocking although it was the end I wanted, (Trains).
I was reminded of Louis MacNeice’s poem, ‘Christina’. It all starts with innocent playing.
Hugh, a short but effective story, in my humble opinion.
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Thanks James,
To be honest, kids freak me out. They are all potential serial killers. At least when you have a bit of age about you, you realise that you just couldn’t be arsed!
I always look forward to your critique!
(Have a look on Saturday’s Post and tell me if you remember and ever partook.)
Hugh
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Very dark, yet funny in a disturbing and creepy sort of way. I think Momma should catch the trend and board the next train. And I did notice no profanity. Moral of the story: Never trust any little motherfucker who carries your DNA.
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Hi Leila,
Does it count that I swore a lot when I was writing it…Due to not swearing a lot?!!
Thanks so much, your comments make my life sufferable!!!
Hugh
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Like dark chocolate, sweet, bitter, and leaves you craving for more. Excelllent story.
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Hi Dave,
Thanks so much for that.
Ah dark chocolate, espresso and a good brandy. Taken together makes life worth living. Especially if it is measure of brandy per square!!! (Coffee optional)
Looking forward to seeing more from you on the 14th!!
All the very best my friend.
Hugh
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I don’t know what happened, but that is largely the story of my life.
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Hi Doug,
My friend!!!!
Never sign any comment like that…It can be taken as a confession!!!!
It’s always a pleasure to see you around!
Hugh
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I thought that I was giving myself plausible deniability.
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I never saw it coming.
Nicely played.
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Thanks Mark,
We all get a kick out of a comment.
It means a helluva lot when someone takes the time to read and then say something!
Hope you become a regular around the site.
Hugh
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