New Year Story Challenge 2022

[Daisy]

We didn't do this last year (probably all too fed up with lockdowns), but it's the start of a new year so let's see if we can get our creative minds working on a story or poem starting with the line:


Armed with bucket, cleaning materials and a new pair of rubber gloves, Mandy ..... (You can have "Andy" if you prefer!)


A story, a poem, a funny scenario - whatever you wish - just have a go.

[Gemini]

Thanks Daisy! I will definitely take part 😊

[Daisy]

The more the merrier, Gem.

[Daisy]

I've got a couple of ideas for this, but not ready for actual writing yet.

[Oma]

Me too it’s getting it straight. And a ending 😁

[Gemini]

A short one I wrote this afternoon.


Armed with bucket, cleaning materials and a new pair of rubber gloves, Mandy sighed as she got to her knees to clean up yet another puddle on the laminate flooring. At least it wasn’t the carpet this time, but still! Kneeling wasn't too bad but getting up wasn’t so easy these days.

‘I never even wanted a flipping dog, never at any point in my life!’, Mandy thought to herself as using an old towel she dried the area she had washed.
Lola the Cockerpoo, Mandy had to admit, was adorable. She had completely won over Mandy’s heart in the short time the two of them had known each other.
Once she was old enough to go out for walks Mandy planned to use her as an aid to exercise! Walks with Lola would be more interesting than walks alone which she easily found excuses not to do more often than not. It was not all bad.

But all this weeing! Mandy had only ever had cats, whose mothers had trained to a litter tray before she got them, and in no time were introduced to a cat flap and the garden. This constant weeing around the house was too much, it really was.
‘Its not your fault though darling is it?’. Mandy smiled in spite of herself and patted Lola on the head and ruffled her ears.

Mandy’s daughter Becky had suddenly announced they were going to get a puppy ‘Baby substitute.’ Mandy secretly thought.
At 35 she had hoped Becky would have produced at least one grandchild for her by now! Eve her younger daughter was only 23 and had no plans for a family for a long time. Still, it was up to Becky and Mark what they did.
But it didn't only affect them, as Mandy was asked to puppy sit for two days a week, every week! ‘Between us we can cover the rest of the week mum, but would you have her just those two days? Please??’ begged Becky.

‘I know nothing about dogs! ‘ Mandy moaned, ‘Dogs don’t like me. I will be useless. I don’t even know how to take one for a walk! No, I’m sorry I can’t commit to this’.
A baby would be different she thought, but a dog baby, no thanks!

Somehow Becky’s wheedling and Lola’s doubtless charms once she met her, won her over or wore her down, Mandy was never quite sure which it was.
On Mondays and Thursdays Mandy was now a Dog Grandma. She knew a couple of her friends who had grandkids felt a bit sorry for her having only a dog to be grandparent to. They all loved Lola though. She was a lovable dog.

Then one Thursday morning Eve turned up , and made lot of fuss of Lola, as she always did. They loved each other! It was always good to see Eve on her days off and a nice surprise when like today it was unexpected.
‘No coffee for me today mum’, Eve called though from the living room as she heard Mandy putting the kettle on. ‘I’ll just have a glass of water please.’

Eve was a bit of a coffeeholic, several mugs a day and never known to turn one down.
Empty mug still in hand Mandy walked through to the living room where Eve and the puppy sat playing on the rug. She stared at her daughter, who smiled up at her.
‘I was going to ask you mum, would you be free for another regular commitment each week in a few months time?’


THE END

[Daisy]

Gem - well done. That's charming, and as a non-dog owner you have got right to the heart of bringing up a puppy! I didn't see the ending coming - but it's definitely the best ending in the world. Loved it. xx

[Daisy]

Armed with bucket, cleaning materials and a new pair of rubber gloves, Mandy looked around the bare dingy space. She’d worked and waited for this day for so long, and now it was actually going to happen her courage almost failed her.

She had come to live in this beautiful village when she had married Michael, over 30 years ago. The village had a great community spirit back then, with several shops, a post office, a bank, a hairdressers, a good butchers and a good primary school. The vicar at the church had been there for many years, and the local GP had helped to bring many of the residents into this world. The playgroup was a good meeting place for mums and toddlers too, and when her son and daughter were little Mandy was very glad of the friends she made there.

Sighing, she mourned the loss of all these community services. Over the years the school had been amalgamated with one in a village 3 miles away, the surgery now had three partners but was based in a different village, a 10 mile round trip. The shops, pubs, post office and bank had all disappeared in the name of ‘economy’ with just a small general store remaining. Mrs Swanson, who had run it for over 20 years was now retiring and that, too, would close.

A couple of small housing estates had appeared on the outskirts of the village, and there had been some in-filling when people had seen the opportunity of making some money out of their too-large gardens. The new residents went about their daily lives quietly, mostly travelling to work in cities many miles away. Mandy could walk round the village and never see a familiar smiling face.

Until Covid arrived.

The Thursday “Clap for Carers” had seen residents, hesitant and tentative at first, go out in the street and clap for all they were worth for those in the Covid front line. Signs of support appeared in windows and front gardens, and in Mandy and Mike’s short road people had started to bring out a glass of wine and chat after the clapping. Many of them, isolated from their usual busy lives, were only too delighted to get to know their neighbours. At a safe distance of course.

It was over those glasses of wine on warm summery evenings that the idea had been born. A place where the community could come together to enjoy social occasions, pursue hobbies and shared interests and try to rekindle that village spirit they had lost.

A committee was formed, and Mandy still didn’t know how she had become the Chair and spokesperson for the project. But months of hard work and a bit of luck had secured them the most important first requirement. A building which they could adapt to whatever needs the village had. It was the old Church Hall, no longer used and getting shabbier by the day. The Church agreed to rent it to the village for a peppercorn rent on condition they did the necessary maintenance. A surveyor and several builders in the village had come forward to deal with structural and safety issues. Now it was the turn of the committee plus any other willing volunteers.

Mandy snapped out of her thoughts and saw instead of the bare dingy space other smiling faces, alight with the challenge ahead of them. New friends and old, all wanting to make this the best community hall in the world.

Raising her mop aloft, Mandy cried “Let’s get started! Let the cleaning begin!” and with a mighty cheer fifteen or twenty voices echoed “Let the cleaning begin”.

[Gemini]

Daisy, fabulous story, and an illustration too!

You were so clever to set it partly during lockdown times. It works well and end with a real Feel Good factor of hope at the end.

[Gemini]

Gem - well done. That's charming, and as a non-dog owner you have got right to the heart of bringing up a puppy! I didn't see the ending coming - but it's definitely the best ending in the world. Loved it. xx

Thank you Daisy
I had to use my limited knowledge of what bringing up a puppy would be like! I think Lola is a cute name for a little dog so I used it here.

[Oma]

Armed with bucket cleaning materials and a new pair of rubber gloves , Mandy smiled to herself .
Oh how she had missed this for the past 7 days ,
7 days ago she had downed tools and gone on house strike ,

Garry and her 3 Boys had pushed her to breaking point ,
Never picking stuff up , leaving wet towels either on the beds or the floor despite all having laundry baskets in their rooms plus one in the bathroom .

She had lost count of the times she has tripped over sports bags and shoes thrown in the hall , or opening sports bags to be knocked on her back from the smell of wet smelly kit ,

Walking into bedrooms and finding half eaten mouldy food on plates and tea cups with its own culture growing in them .

Gary wasn’t any better expecting her to rustle up a meal for unexpected visitors he brought home at all hours when working late ,
He would come through the door calling hello I have brought so and so for a bite to eat and she would smile sweetly and welcome them all the time cursing Gary under her breath ,

The final straw came when she had made arrangements to go to a spa day with her friends telling them all beforehand and putting it on the notice board on the fridge for them too see ,

As she was putting her coat on , Gary came through the door and stopped to look at her ,
Where are you going he asked in surprise.

pointing to her note she looked at him ,
No you can’t I have invited my boss and a few lads for supper tonight ,
When did you intend telling me that Mandy asked ,

Well I didn’t think I needed too , you always rustle something up ,

Just then Robert came charging down the stairs ,
Mum I need my rugby stuff it’s not in my drawer. ?

Where did you leave it Mandy asked ,
Well in my bag said Robert

Well it will still be there then said Mandy unless it walked to the washer itself , and to be honest she sometimes wondered how it didn’t by the smell

Christopher was next , Mum I need cakes for the bring and buy sale at school this afternoon can you make some and bring them in at lunch break .


No Christopher I can’t you will have to sort it yourself go buy some
but Mum he wailed I don’t have time and anyway shop bought are not as good as yours ,

Just then William their youngest sailed in ,
Mum I told the teacher you will come in and help with the decorating of the hall for the school disco tonight , teacher said any time after 11am is good .

Sorry can’t do I’m having a day to myself .

They then all started shouting over each other and arguing who needed stuff done the most and what she should be doing first

Mandy watched them arguing and quietly picked up her handbag and walked out .

As she pulled up at the country hall for her spa day she had decided what she was going to do ,
Taking out her phone she text each one to tell them she was on strike and was going to stay at Grannies for a week and they would have to fend for themselves .

Instantly her phone started to ring it was Gary

What do you mean going on strike ?
Just as I said I’m on strike and you will have to live without me for a week fend for yourself and the boys

But we don’t know how you have always done everything .

Exactly Gary I do everything and with no help or consideration from any of yous .

A week of Cleaning , Washing , Ironing , Cooking , plus everything in between may open your eyes to how selfish you all are

With that she hung up and switched her phone off .

That week was the hardest thing she had ever done , a few times she almost gave in but her Mother wouldn’t let her ,

Each time Gary or the boys rang wanting to know what to do or where something was her mother answered the phone and told them to figure it out ,

When the week was over , Mandy went home ,

As she walked through the door she noticed that the hall was clear , no bags or shoes ,
Taking her bag upstairs the bathroom was tidy no wet towels on the floor
Downstairs the washer was on and all four of her men were waiting in the kitchen
She could smell curry and on the counter top were some odd shaped cakes but they did look edible

They all rushed to hug her , Sorry love said Gary we know we took you for granted and we will try harder ,

Sorry Mum said the boys , the two oldest promised they would be more responsible for themselves and the youngest William promised to ask first before volunteering her for stuff ,

After tea the boys loaded the dish washer and Garry made coffee

Honestly love we didn’t realise how much you did for us , this week has been a great shock it’s opened our eyes ,

How long this was going to last Mandy didn’t know but it was good to know she had made her point

This morning everyone was out to work and off to school , she could now do a proper clean ,
Oh they had done their best but it takes more than a week to make a Mother and wife , and only a mother and wife sees what’s been missed .

Picking up her bucket she began .

[Plantaholic]

Well done Oma and well done Mandy

[Daisy]

Oma - I loved every word of that! You've got a perfect handle on what it can be like living with a houseful of men-boys who think you just twitch your nose like Bewitched to get things done. I have to admit there were several descriptions that sounded just like our house when the boys were at home.

[Oma]

Thank you Daisy , knowing my DS and GSs wet kit bags are a nightmare that they think the washing fairy’s see too

[Gemini]

Brilliant story Oma, very readable! And good for Mandy