October drabbles - 13

The last high-pitched laughs, footsteps, dropped candies, last echoes of “Don’t be so greedy,” faded into night. Jen closed the door, half-smiling, half-waving still in the gathering gloom, but her own babe was too small for the Halloween haul.

“Was that fun Jimmy?” she asked.

He nodded solemnly, hands grasping for her face.

“Did you like all the witches and wizards and wild animals?”

He nodded again.

“So, time for dinner?”

They retreated to the comfortable dining-room with its coffin and bats.

“Time to wake up Grandma d’you think?” Because Grandma would gather the food tonight; mustn’t frighten the child.

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