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The Altar

December 14, 2022 32 Comments

By Lesley Bungay

The table appeared outside number 36 the day Mrs. Brown passed away.

No one knew where it came from. The residents of Cypress Avenue gathered, placed chrysanthemums, lit candles.

She was very old, wasn’t she?

No family, someone said.

On Wednesday morning, the shrine was outside number 42. No one saw who moved it.

That evening, its middle-aged occupant died. More neighbours came, refreshed the flowers, expressed surprise.

He was fit, wasn’t he?

Jogged every day, someone said.

Lived alone.

Two days later, the altar moved again. No one admitted responsibility. Everyone congregated. Exchanged nervous glances. Created a vigil. Waited anxiously.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Julie Haworth says

    December 14, 2022 at 7:12 am

    Good story Lesley. I’d take an axe to it lol

    Reply
    • Lesley Bungay says

      December 14, 2022 at 11:52 am

      Ha ha, yes me too ?

      Reply
  2. Cathryn says

    December 14, 2022 at 8:04 am

    Hello Lesley,

    Clever! I think this is an investigative case for Inspector Endeavor Morse.

    Reply
    • Liz says

      December 14, 2022 at 10:28 am

      Precisely!

      Reply
    • Lesley Bungay says

      December 14, 2022 at 11:56 am

      Thanks Cathryn. Mmm wonder what he’d make of it ?

      Reply
  3. Tim Goldstone says

    December 14, 2022 at 9:13 am

    Excellent. 101 words of deliciously crafted writing.

    Reply
    • Lesley Bungay says

      December 14, 2022 at 11:52 am

      Thank you so much Tim ?

      Reply
  4. Liz says

    December 14, 2022 at 10:30 am

    Clever, clear and beautifully written, left us wanting more.

    Reply
    • Lesley Bungay says

      December 14, 2022 at 11:53 am

      Thank you Liz, that’s very kind ?

      Reply
  5. robert roberg says

    December 14, 2022 at 10:49 am

    Intriguing

    Reply
    • Lesley Bungay says

      December 14, 2022 at 11:53 am

      I aim to be ??

      Reply
  6. Sara Jacobelli says

    December 14, 2022 at 11:48 am

    Hmmm, this is a good one! Maybe one for Inspector Hercule Poirot!

    Reply
    • Lesley Bungay says

      December 14, 2022 at 11:54 am

      I can see his moustache twitching ?

      Reply
  7. Lesley Bungay says

    December 14, 2022 at 11:59 am

    Thank you for all the comments. Just realised my smiley faces show up as question marks in my replies!

    Reply
  8. JK Hayward-Trout says

    December 14, 2022 at 1:28 pm

    Nicely done!

    Reply
    • Lesley Bungay says

      December 14, 2022 at 5:10 pm

      Thank you so much.

      Reply
  9. Doug Jacquier says

    December 14, 2022 at 2:11 pm

    Beware the dreaded tabula eraser! Clever and original.

    Reply
  10. Lesley Bungay says

    December 14, 2022 at 5:13 pm

    Thank you

    Reply
  11. Robert says

    December 14, 2022 at 8:33 pm

    Cool story, Lesley. Can I borrow your table? I have this neighbor….

    Reply
    • Lesley Bungay says

      December 15, 2022 at 2:16 am

      Ha ha! Thank you

      Reply
  12. Lore/Ekphrastic Mama says

    December 14, 2022 at 11:28 pm

    Well done!

    Reply
    • Lesley Bungay says

      December 15, 2022 at 2:16 am

      Thanks

      Reply
  13. Valli says

    December 15, 2022 at 10:43 am

    Excellent read that left me in suspense as to who would be next… Kudos …

    Reply
    • Lesley Bungay says

      December 15, 2022 at 12:00 pm

      Thank you so much

      Reply
  14. Jean Barbaro says

    December 15, 2022 at 3:18 pm

    Great job transitioning to a tense mystery, within 101 words!

    Reply
    • Lesley Bungay says

      December 20, 2022 at 2:53 am

      Thank you so much!

      Reply
  15. Melissa Hall Andela says

    December 15, 2022 at 7:20 pm

    O so suspenseful! Fantastic!

    Reply
    • Lesley Bungay says

      December 20, 2022 at 2:55 am

      Thank you for your kind comments

      Reply
  16. Olivia Wells says

    December 19, 2022 at 8:55 pm

    I really enjoyed this! Nicely done!

    Reply
    • Lesley Bungay says

      December 20, 2022 at 2:56 am

      Thank you

      Reply
  17. Laura Besley says

    December 21, 2022 at 4:40 am

    I’m a bit behind with end-of-term-itus, so have only just read this. Congratulations!

    Reply
    • Lesley Bungay says

      December 24, 2022 at 3:30 am

      Thank you Laura

      Reply

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