The Summer Story Challenge

[Gemini]

Calling all our writers. Time to get creative.
I know we are all out and about more at this time of year, but some cooling off time at home is a good time to write a story!

As usual, any style, length or subject, as long as you story begins with the following words -

Very early one July morning.....

[Daisy]

Lovely idea, Gem. I really enjoy 'summer' stories.

I've had a couple of storylines in the back of my mind for a while, and I think I might be able to adapt one of them to your theme.

Come on ladies, get your creative writing caps on - a story or a poem (both are even more welcome).

[Gemini]

I have started one Daisy, but now I am stuck!!
I may have to start another and come back to the original one.

[Daisy]

Oh dear, the dreaded writer's block! But you often find a way forward with a story when you're least expecting it - good luck!

[Clover]

Hoping inspiration will strike!

[Gemini]

Very early one July morning, just as dawn was breaking, Rosalind heard it. The sound of next door's car starting up.
In winter it didn't bother her. With the windows closed and thick curtains drawn, the sound really didn't disturb her. On summer mornings with windows flung wide open the noise always woke her, and she found it hard to get back to sleep.
'That's it', she said to herself crossly, 'I may as well still be working myself, if I have to be up so early.'
She realised it wasn't her neighbour's fault that he had to travel for work, but 5 am was too early, there was no need for it!
When her very nice young neighbour moved in last year and had asked if he disturbed her she had replied 'No, not at all, I hardly hear a thing, and I roll over and go straight back to sleep!' Polite as ever.

She lay there for some time, willing herself back to sleep. It never worked, so why would today be any different? Eventually with a sigh she got out of bed, took herself off for a shower, dressed, put a load in the washing machine and went out into the garden with a cup of tea.
This was a pleasant time to be outside, before the heat of the day. Everything was quiet. Now her neighbour had left.

Rosalind closed her eyes, sank back into the reclining chair, and ran though the day ahead in her mind. Meeting a friend in town for lunch, a supermarket shop on the way back, then her book club meeting in the village this evening. A nice day, things going on, but nothing too hectic. For two days a week she looked after her grandchildren aged 1 and 3. She adored them, and felt so privileged to be able to look after them, but boy did they tire her out! She liked to pace herself the rest of the week. She wasn't getting any younger, and these very early mornings weren't helping!

She smiled as she thought of the previous day's fun with 3 year old Molly, bright as button and so pretty, and Leo, 13 months. He had just learned to walk and climb. He kept his grandmother on her toes, it was a good job he was so adorable!
Rosalind's thoughts were interrupted by sounds from over the fence.
She stiffened and listened. She knew Mark, her neighbour wasn't there, she'd heard him leave of course. Since splitting up with his girlfriend Kate a couple of months ago he lived alone.
'Stop being a nosy neighbour!' Rosalind told herself. He may have a house guest. Friend, family, new girlfriend. Just because she hadn't heard or seen anyone didn't mean there wasn't anyone legitimately there. He didn't have to run it past his next door neighbour after all!
Much as she tried to ignore this and move her thoughts on, it niggled at Rosalind. She suddenly remembered that last night Mark had been gardening until quite late. They had chatted a little over the fence when she was watering her pots and baskets. If he had a guest would she not have heard them talking out there, seen them, would he not have mentioned it?
'None of your business!' she told herself.

She went inside, had breakfast, washed up, and watched the news on TV whilst checking her emails. Back in the garden she hung out the washing. The sun was already hot, it would dry in no time, she would be able to bring it all in before she went out for lunch.
As she pegged out the last towel, she heard it again. It seemed to be coming from the back of the house, from the open bedroom window. Voices. Quiet, then louder, did she detect a menacing tone? Suddenly an ear splitting scream. Oh no, what on earth was happening?
Mark had given her a spare key, to let in a workman last month. Rosalind had taken the key straight back to him that night, but with a laugh he told her to keep it, in case ever he was locked out. Was this a time to use that key? She didn't have a mobile number for her neighbour, so there was no way to contact him. She didn't feel that she could ignore this.
Wondering if she was insane, she walked round to the front of the house and knocked. No answer, so she inserted the key into the lock. If her daughters could see her now, what on earth would they think?!
She climbed the stairs as quietly as she could, following the sound, now quiet murmuring voices after the dramatic scream of a few minutes ago, her heart thumping in her chest.
She stopped as she entered the bedroom.

'Good Lord Ros' laughed Helen as she poured her friend a second glass of wine at lunchtime. 'You are good value, you really are. Only you would let yourself into someone else's house, because the radio alarm went off at the wrong time!'
'How was I to know that it was a radio play?' muttered Rosalind, blushing.

From now on, she thought, I'm going to wear earplugs in bed, hopefully more sleep will calm down my overactive imagination!'

[Gemini]

Not quite what I was planning, but I managed to bring it to an ending!

[Daisy]

Gem - it's a bit too late for me to read it tonight, but I know what I'll be doing when I have my morning cuppa tomorrow.

[Daisy]

Gem - what a treat! A lovely story that made me laugh. You hit just the right note in Rosalind's thought processes - I think it could have been any one of us grannies.

[Plantaholic]

Great Gemini, not sure what I would have done.

[Gemini]

I wouldn't have gone in on my own!!

[Daisy]

Ladies - where are all our clever writers? Do have a go - we all enjoy your stories and poems.

I'm struggling with finding a starting point at the moment, so I might have to rethink my plot!

[Gemini]

Yes come on, we don't mind how short (or how long if you can't stop!)
I will work on another.

[Daisy]

Yay! I've now got my idea in my head. Just need a bit of time to write it down.

Gem - that would be great.

We know from previous challenges how talented and clever you can all be .... please don't be shy.

[Plantaholic]

You have a talent for words Gemini and a great imagination.