Roadside people

The driver, a man, stayed in the car.
Prudence splashed through the mud in the yard....

(Sat. afternoon break - a cliffhanger).

As Skelton lifted the mud encrusted baler twine from the gate, Prudence, disheveled and pale, stepped from the car.
"Help, it's Aunt Sybil!", she cried.

Got to go out now, but will mull over chapter two. Time to introduce the mini-detective twins and their parents, I think, and the live-in staff at Headingley Hall. Will keep the identity of the mystery caller under wraps for a while - could be some nice plot twists there.

I'm enjoying this Elegran keep going. I may suggest your story for our book group!

Skelton's mind went back to the bank statement he had received just that morning. The bank manager was getting a bit insistent that he pay off some of his overdraft, and he had mentally run through his debts, wondering which he could safely leave for better times (Ha Ha) and which would need some delicate negotiating to extend payment time while trickling a little cash in to keep the debtors happy. He did not think that Seaton Carew's mortgage on Goosemuck Lane was something which could wait for the inheritance that would come his way one of these days - but his Aunt Sybil showed no signs of any intention to quit this world, despite her ninety years, and the heart which had been dodgy for fity years to his knowledge. She spent her days among the family trees and portraits of her ancestors, in her mansion up the hill, Headington Hall. With a heavy heart he put down his shovel and went to meet his visitor.

Why was he coming to Goosemuck Lane?

Skelton Langon looked up as the car stopped beyond the gate that separated the road from the farmhouse yard. His face deepened into one of disgust. He knew the driver.

A mud-spattered tractor coughed its way asthmatically across the yard, followed by a trailer overflowing with a further contribution to the manure heap. The pigs perked up a little at the sound of the ancient engine and poked their eager snouts over the gate to sniff at the air, hoping that it might be the day's ration of surplus meals from the White Lion, but fell back in disappointment.

With a final paroxysm, the Ferguson choked to a halt, and Skelton Langthorn clambered from the seat to spade out the reeking load.

From the road beyond the farmhouse came the sound of a car approaching - powerful but smooth-running.

Thank you Alie. That sets the scene perfectly. I can just see the desolate crumbling farmhouse.
I feel this should be a murder mystery. We have a diverse character list and an atmospheric start.

How about this for a start Elegran?
Scene....a dilapidated farm with a large empty barn, near an old mansion.
The rain is pouring down on the manure heaps..... the pigs grunt sadly

I find the title of this thread a bit spooky. Not sure why.

I must say the policeman was very nice and said he could see what the problem was; however I couldn't really see why DGS couldn't have a quick wee at the side of the road and then we could have re-joined the traffic (it wasn't that busy).

Oh God! I can't stop laughing about it now. Good job I'm on my own.

rosequarz that made me giggle! Poor little boy!

Me too Grumpa

We were guided to a 'Works Exit Only' by a policeman on the M6 because we had stopped on the hard shoulder when DGS age 5 was desperate to relieve himself. By the time we got to 'Works Exit Only' DGS was too traumatised to go and managed to last until we got to our destination 15 minutes later!

How come the packets of seeds we buy have a 'use by' date on them a couple of years hence, but seeds in the desert bloom after 10 years when there is rain?

I am awaiting your novel with eager anticipation, Elegran!

We had a book once which details everything that you may have wondered about when you travel down the M5 motorway - more interesting to make up your own ideas I think.

Just outside Birmingham, a sign to Pink Green only

Er......plot, Elegran?? Last thing I wrote was a pantomime script! (Oh yes I did!)

Slightly off post:
(I knew this was reminding me of something! Any one read 'One Pair of Feet' - Monica Dickens as a nurse, writing a tale called The Skeleton in the Cupboard in which "the hero is called Pyloric Sphincter and the heroine Hernia Bistoury...." etc etc, very funny indeed.

Readable on Google Books if you can find it but the link is a mile long!)

We now have a cast of thousands (tghank you all). Does anyone have a plot?

I'm always intrigued by 'Works Exit Only' on motorways - I rather fancy it's MI5/6 or other such mysterious goings-on.

One day I might just take that exit ...

Here we have Logie Buchan - a fine upstanding member of the farming community - oft pursued at the Young Farmers' dances by Meikle Tarty, a lady of extremely questionable morals! Our local courting couple, Tula Mutton and Tulloch Burn can be found walking hand in hand on Molly Watt's Hill before taking tea at Mig Sim's Pot.

What about those inquisitive twins from Yorkshire - Askham Bryan and Askham Richard?