“Aunty M? Is Apple Jack’s Cottage always so creaky and groany?”
“Yes darling. It’s because it’s so old, about four hundred years old. The wind whistles through the windows and the floorboards bend and bow. Sometimes I think I’m not the only one living here. I find it quite comforting really. I love this old house. As you know, I’ve lived here most of my life.”
“Yes, mum told me. Have you ever wanted to be married?”
“Yes, I did and I did fall in love once.”
“What was he like?”
“He was tall and very handsome with a mop of thick black hair. He lived just down the coast road, so I’d known him all my life. We had always been friends and everyone just knew we would marry one day. But things didn’t work out as I planned they would.”
As I looked at Aunty M I could see her eyes were shiny with tears.
“Aunty M, I’m sorry I’ve distressed you. I didn’t mean to.” I gently placed my arms around her neck and her arms went around me.
“What a pair we are. Let’s have a cup of tea.”
As I sipped my tea, Aunty M looked at me, smiled and asked, “Been swimming recently Flo?”
“I’ve been meaning to tell you. Biggles got swept out to sea and I sort of went in to rescue him.”
“Just promise me one thing darling. You won’t do that again.”
I promised.