A Family Loss: A Crime Horror Novel
3/5
()
About this ebook
It was John Ferguson's worst nightmare. His mother-in-law came to live with the family. And she just wouldn't go away - even after he'd killed her. But what reality does she now inhabit? Is she merely an expression of the sorrow his wife feels? Or maybe she's just the guilt and paranoia building in his own mind. Or maybe ...?
Anthony North
Thinker & Storyteller****7,453 Words to Save the UK and I,Writer are now FREE. Scroll down to find them.*****1955 (Yorkshire, England) – I am born (Damn! Already been done). ‘Twas the best of times ... (Oh well).I was actually born in the year of Einstein's death, close to Scrooge's Counting House. It doesn't mean anything but it sounds good. As for my education, I left school at 15 and have had no formal education since. Hence, I'm self-taught.****From a family of newsagents, at 18 I did a Dick Whittington and went off to London, only to return to pretend to be Charlie and work in a chocolate factory.When I was ten I was asked what I wanted to be. I said soldier, writer and Dad. I never thought of it for years – having too much fun, such as a time as lead guitarist in a local rock band – but I served nine years in the RAF, got married and had seven kids. I realized my words had been precognitive when, at age 27, I came down with M.E. – a condition I’ve suffered ever since – and turned my attention to writing.Indeed, as I realized that no expert could tell me what was wrong with me, I began my quest to find out why. Little did I realize it would last decades and take me through the entire history of knowledge, leaving me with the certainty that our knowledge systems are inadequate.****My non-fiction is based on P-ology, a thought process I devised to work with patterns of knowledge, and designed to be a bedfellow to specialization. A form of Rational Holism, it seeks out areas the specialist may have missed. I work from encyclopaedias and introductory volumes in order to gain a grasp of many subjects and am not an expert in anything, but those patterns keep forming. Hence, I do not deal in truth, but ideas, and cover everything from politics to the paranormal.When reading my work I ask only: do I make sense? Of course, an expert would say: a little knowledge is a dangerous thing. I agree. And an expert has so little knowledge of everything.I also write novels and Flash Fiction in all genres.
Read more from Anthony North
A History of Man: A Concise Study of the World Patterns That Brought Us to Here Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The First Dawn of Man: A Study of Atlantis, Lost Civilizations & Consciousness Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Last Self Help Book: An Ultimate Guide to Who You Really Are Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The 'Y' Files: A Study of Unexplained Paranormal & Occult Phenomena Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsConspiracy of Icons: Understanding the Role of Conspiracy Theory, Culture and the Famous in Society Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Those Little Green Men: A Study of Aliens, UFOs & Related Unexplained Phenomena Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsMysteries of the Bible: From Genesis to Revelation, the Unexplained Explained Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsAge of Victimhood: A Study of Knowledge and Culture as Dictator Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsArmageddon Road: A Study of Cults, Gurus, Alternative Religions & Society Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsI, Horror Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsBlunderMan: A Study of Disasters, Mistakes & Knowledge Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsEncyclopedie: P-ology Ideas on Almost Everything Quickly Explained Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsGod: A Study of Religion & the Search for the Root of Spirituality Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsI, Observer Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsTowards a New Age: A Study of Alternative Thinking from Astrology to Space Exploration Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsA Natural History of Hallucination: Yeti, Nessie, Fairies, Werewolves, Vampires, Witches - A Study of Supposed Monsters Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsI, Unexplained Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsMan & Planet: A Study of Our Environmental Madness & How We Got Here Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsMort De Grael: Holy Grail, Science, Storytelling & the Half Life Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsOn Crime: From Cain to Cyber Crime - Jack the Ripper to Youth Gangs - a New Look at Villains & Criminality Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratings7,453 Words to Save the UK: A Socio-Capitalist Manifesto Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Lamberts: A Wotdunit Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Storyteller & Other Stories Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsI, Paranormal Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Wotdunit to the Throat & Other Stories Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsI, Adventurer Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Changing Face of Conflict: A History of the Military, Warfare & Espionage Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsPictures of Life: A Multi-Genre Soap-Saga Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsI, Society Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5
Related to A Family Loss
Related ebooks
Seethings Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsPieces of Me Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsWhen Emily Went Missing Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5I will not be here Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Edge of Insanity—A Book of Disturbing Tales Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsDream Noir and Other Tales Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Little Brother Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Silent House Rating: 2 out of 5 stars2/5Sticky Situations Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsNothing Gained Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsHunting Ketch Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Through a Keyhole Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Death Watch - A Horror Short Story Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsBrain Matter Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsHomecoming Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Life Sentence Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Dying Wishes Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsDon't Be Afraid Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Victims: A Novel Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Eye of Fear Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsWhile She Was Out Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Bulldogs and Pure Silk Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Winter Sickness Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Chain Reaction: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Threads of Darkness Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Move From Hell Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Behind Her Eyes Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsBeneath The Skin Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Dark Minds: A Charity Collection of Short Stories from Some of Your Favourite Authors Rating: 2 out of 5 stars2/5
Horror Fiction For You
Hidden Pictures: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5It Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5H. P. Lovecraft Complete Collection Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Dracula Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Watchers: A thrilling Gothic horror soon to be a major motion picture Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Ocean at the End of the Lane: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Outsider: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Whisper Man: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Holly Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Edgar Allan Poe Complete Collection - 120+ Tales, Poems Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Mist Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Brother Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Slewfoot: A Tale of Bewitchery Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Last Days Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Annihilation: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5My Best Friend's Exorcism: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Weiser Book of Horror and the Occult: Hidden Magic, Occult Truths, and the Stories That Started It All Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Authority: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Troop Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5We Have Always Lived in the Castle Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Pet Sematary Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Leave the World Behind: A Read with Jenna Pick Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Hell House: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5My Heart Is a Chainsaw Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Needful Things Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Deep Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Revival: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Pale Blue Eye: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5John Dies at the End Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Misery Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5
Reviews for A Family Loss
1 rating0 reviews
Book preview
A Family Loss - Anthony North
A Family Loss:
A Horror Novel
By Anthony North
Copyright: Anthony North 2020
Cover image copyright: Yvonne North, 2020
Smashwords Edition
No part of this book may be reproduced, scanned or distributed in any printed or electronic form without permission
Other books by Anthony North
In 2019 I began a 3 year publishing program that will result in 14 volumes of my fiction, inc 7 novels in most genres, & 21 works of non-fiction covering cults, politics, conspiracies, religion, disasters, science, philosophy, warfare, crime, psychology, new age, green issues & all areas of the unexplained, inc ufology, lost worlds and the paranormal. Hopefully appearing at the rate of one a month, check out the latest launch at my bookstore at http://anthonynorth.com or buy direct from Smashwords for all devices at: https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/anthonynorth
In addition to the above, you may like my ‘I’ Series – 8 volumes of flash fiction (horror, sci fi, romance, adventure, crime), 4 volumes of poetry & 5 volumes of short essays from politics to the unexplained. Available from same links as above. Also check out my bookstore for news of my books out in paperback.
CONTENTS
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty One
Chapter Twenty Two
Chapter Twenty Three
Chapter Twenty Four
Chapter Twenty Five
Chapter Twenty Six
Chapter Twenty Seven
Chapter Twenty Eight
Chapter Twenty Nine
About the Author
Connect With Anthony
Chapter One
John Ferguson raced from the traffic lights in his customary manner. Brenda, as always, objected.
'You drive too fast,' she said, seeking comfort from the door handle.
'Why isn't there a motorway to the south?' said John as he turned the wheel. 'That's what I want to know.'
'Stop complaining and slow down!'
'There are plenty of motorways to the north. They're ALL to the bloody north. You'd think they'd realize. But no ...'
'Stop swearing,' said Brenda, knowing the day would end in argument.
In the back, Robin had his nose pressed to the window, watching the city rush by. He enjoyed the city; the excitement, the activity - the people, the noise, the buildings. To him it was like a big adventure and so different from the boring green and boring shops and boring people tottering on sticks in THEIR town. He hated that - except the football club, of course.
He was centre forward in the under elevens was Robin. He lived for his football - and his granny, too. They were going to see granny now.
In the front, John ran his fingers through his hair and said: 'I wonder what the old battle axe will find to complain about today?'
'Put your hand back on that wheel! You'll get us all killed … and SLOW DOWN!'
'Brenda, dear,' said John, 'you don't have to have both hands on the wheel all the time, you know. How am I supposed to change bloody gear with both bloody hands on the wheel?'
'Stop swearing.'
They were leaving the city now. Buildings gave way to wide open spaces. John pumped the throttle and Brenda sat rigid, images of burst tyres and raw, red guts hanging limp from overturned wrecks filling her mind.
'Look Robin. Mommy's got her eyes closed again.'
Robin was at Wembley, the last second of injury time and he kicks and he scores and the crowd goes wild ...
One mile to go.
Look for the turn-off - time to slow down. Ease off the throttle. Indicate.
'You can open your eyes now.'
Brenda opened her eyes; offered a sigh of relief. She was alive.
John cursed as he pulled in, just off the neat village green. Coming to a halt, he looked at the ramshackle bungalow inhabited by his mother-in-law. He looked at the flaking paint, the shutter rocking in the wind; the uncut grass, unkempt hedge.
Suddenly he winced as a curtain moved, a wrinkled nose pressing against the window pane.
Brenda saw it, too. She smiled, opened the door and alighted from the car. Then she pulled the seat forward for Robin to scramble out.
'Can I go and play in the garden?' he asked.
Brenda said: 'After you've seen granny.'
Robin pouted. But as the front door opened he went running through the gate. 'Hello, granny,' he said.
Granny stood at the doorway holding out her arms, an old, ruffled shawl falling from her back.
Brenda walked up the path next, folding her arms to keep the cool breeze from her body, giving a slight shiver as it caught her dress, her long, blonde hair blowing in her eyes.
Once by the door she bent down and kissed her mother on the cheek.
'Good journey?'
Brenda gave a dubious reply.
Following this, the old woman said: ‘Come in out of the cold,' cocking her head slightly to say, 'are you coming, Jonathon,' hostility in her voice.
John was still in the driving seat, savouring the peace.
Eventually, he gave a sigh and climbed out of the car, banging and locking the door, muttering under his breath as he negotiated the path, dragging his foot behind him with a distinct limp.
Half way down the path he stopped, taking a deep breath, preparing himself for the barrage of insults which were bound to come. Then, shoulders drooped, he walked in.
Hilda Myers was seventy and a stubborn old stick, already outliving two of her seven children. Ted - her deceased husband - had left her more than comfortable. He had been a careful man, making a will in early age. Which was fortunate, as he died early in life. John was sure she had nagged him to death.
She was sat in her old moth-eaten chair; part of her old moth-eaten suite on an old moth-eaten carpet.
Brenda sat on the settee, Robin already having disappeared outside. She motioned John to sit next to her, but this was not part of John's plan at all.
Rather, he was looking at the vacant armchair, slightly less old looking and moth-eaten than the rest. It had been Ted's, and was now his shrine.
He sat, revelling in the grimace on Hilda's wrinkled, sallow face.
'It's lovely to see you again, dear,' said Hilda to Brenda following a suitable pause to intensify the disgust.
John picked up the paper and pretended to read.
'Oh, mother,' said Brenda, 'it's only been five weeks, you know.'
'Has it.'
'And how have you been feeling?'
Hilda had already feigned a deteriorating posture, and with those words it deteriorated more. 'Oh … I manage dear,' she said, with an intensity of melancholy. She continued: 'Well, I have to, don't I? There's no one here to help me.'
'Don't say it like that mother. You know we'd live closer if we could.'
Brenda felt guilty. John, on the other hand, grunted.
'And how is Robin doing?' asked Hilda, following a theatrical pause to allow the message to get home.
'He's doing very well at school. Especially English - oh, and football. He might be captain next term. That's what John wants.'
Hilda replied with gusto. 'It's about time your husband realized there was more to education than kicking a ball around,' she said. Then she looked at John's deformed foot; the result of an old injury in early life. 'But of course, he could never play, could he.'
John's mouth formed an obscenity behind the paper.
'And when he leaves school John says he can get him a job in the company.'
'The boy should go to university.'
Brenda sensed an argument growing, so changed the subject. 'Have you seen Mrs Mills lately?' she asked, crossing her legs.
'New shoes?' commented Hilda, observing the brown leather high heels.
'What? Oh yes, John picked them.'
'Don't like 'em.'
Paper lowered. Husband rising. Temper boiling ... 'John!'
Half up, half down, John seemed to hover in mid air. He thought a moment and reluctantly sat back, muttering away as he retrieved the paper from the old moth-eaten rug.
'Typical,' said Hilda, tutting away as she held out her chin defiantly. 'Always did have a nasty temper.'
'Oh, don't mother. Please stop it.'
'I warned you not to marry him. You needn't have married. You could have got rid of it. But no, you had to make two mistakes; get pregnant and marry a brute.'
Brenda banged her arm on the settee, disappearing in a cloud of dust. 'Stop it,' she said, 'stop it, stop it, stop it!'
'Now look what you've done,' said Hilda to John.
'Me? Now just a minute you old hag. You started it.' In desperation, John continued: 'I don't know, every time we come; every bloody time. Do you enjoy it? Just look what you're doing to her. She loves you; do you know that? Don't ask me why. Any affection she gives, you just throw back in her face.'
'Rubbish,' said Hilda.
'And you've always got to bring Robin into it haven't you? Okay, we decided to get married because of him. But even with your infernal trouble making we're still happy. Yes, you old battle axe, STILL happy.'
'Don't, John,' said Brenda. 'I'm alright. Let's just leave it.'
She sniffed back a tear and turned to her mother, attempting to bring some semblance of normality to the afternoon. 'Can I help you with tea?' she asked.
Hilda stood up and tottered out of the room. 'I see. Hints now. Go and do tea, Hilda.'
Brenda caught John on the second bound.
Chapter Two
Tea was a sombre affair.
All four sat round a table barely big enough for two. By devious planning, John ended up the only person with table leg between limbs. It always happened that way. Then there was the silent oneupmanship for Robin's favour - a gesture of a bigger slice of cake from Hilda; a promise to play football later from John.
Real conversation was non-existent. And when tea was over, and the table cleared, John and Hilda moved back to their respective corners.
A battle of nerves commenced.
John sat there, watching