LesleyScoble.com

I wrote this short story for the short story, 250 words Unicorn Challenge and the #WritePhoto prompt.
I believe I may be too late for the #WritePhoto Challenge. I should like to thank them, however, for the photo that inspired my short story.

My story THERE WAS A KNOCKING AT MY DOOR is 248 words and so fits within the 250 word limit for the Unicorn Challenge.

There was a Knocking at my Door

 
The knocking wakes me up. My room is dark. I fumble for my watch, which confirms it is the middle of the night. The knocking gets louder. The door resonates with deep echoes like a drum, beating a monotonous, ominous rhythm. I bury my head under the bedclothes, but they can’t mute the constant tapping at my door.

From outside, the red shutters and doors of the Spanish pension attracted me to book a room. Now my great oaken red bedroom door was my torment.

I fall out of bed and stumble towards it. My bare feet pad across the floor. I trip over a box and scrape my shin. I disentangle myself from the surprise obstruction (a box of junk and old roller skates) and drag my now sore leg to the door.

A strange man is there.

My bemused, sleep fogged face is pale compared to his Latin sun tanned features. He gazes at me. Then performs a flamboyant gesture with his right arm as though he were conducting an orchestra playing a Strauss waltz.

“You are an exquisite woman.” His conducting arm bends and he places his hand to his heart.

“What?”

“I yearn all my life for you.”

“What on earth?”

“You are beautiful. Let me come in.”

“Pardon?”

“I can make you very hap…”

I push to close the door. His foot stops it.

“Please, let me in.” 

“Go away! Or I will call the manager!”

“Madam,” he says,

“I am the manager.”



Lesley Scoble, August 2023 

I discovered next morning, in the broad light of day, that the box of junk with roller skates was as you see in this photo. Why was this box in my Spanish hotel bedroom? (to be continued).

My thanks to  Jenne Gray and  C. E. Ayr. for the photo prompting writing challenge.

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Lesley lives in the City of London Square Mile. An artist, actor and sculptor (her first ceramic sculpture won the V&A inspired by… Award). Scenic artist & book illustrator, playwright, (her musical play, Rapscallion performed in inner city schools and theatre school); TV dancer; Animator and illustrator for TV production. Set up Pinecone Studios Ltd and IIMSI Ltd drama and filmmaking workshops in London – producing award-winning films made by children.