A Badtime Story

Cloister, the gardener, was raking fresh dirt upon the bedroom floor that night.

“What is the meaning of this?” Nurse Mariam demanded.

“Ar,” explained Cloister.

“Oh very well,” replied the old nurse. “I suppose the moon is as gibbous as a lung tonight.”

The gardener, his mouth like a bullet hole in freshly sliced bread, collected his tools and bowed before leaving the room.

“I’m sure the new garden shan’t be a bother, children,” said Nurse Mariam, turning to the twins. “No doubt you’ll sleep like the dead.”

“But…” said Jacob, pointing to his bare feet which were red and sore.

Nurse Mariam sighed. “Oh very well,” she said. “I suppose an infection would be unacceptable.” She gripped the boy by the neck and carried him to the bed which lay like a barren island in the centre of the room.

“Story?” said Jacob, after she had tucked them both in.

“It was sad. The End,” said the nurse and left the room by stepping in Cloister’s enormous footprints.

Jacob and Jacob lay, the scent of dirt invading their nostrils.

“I need a wee,” said Jacob.

“I thought so,” said Jacob.

“My feet,” said Jacob.

“I know,” said Jacob.

The eldest twin lowered his feet into the soil and bent a little as his brother climbed onto his back.

Jacob took a step forward.

“Moon,” said Jacob.

“Oh yes,” said Jacob, taking another step.

Taking slow, steady steps and grunting beneath the weight, Jacob reached the window. Wobbling, the upper twin pulled at the curtain like a flap of skin to reveal the swollen belly of the moon.

“Pretty,” said Jacob.

“Wee,” said Jacob.

The door to their bathroom lay across the furrowed land which shone silver in the moonlight. Jacob gripped his brother’s legs and shuffled forward.

His left foot slid into the dirt and he felt something warm and clammy. He cried out and lost his balance. Both boys tumbled to the floor…

…only to be caught by newly born hands emerging from the ground.

The twins went stiff and closed their eyes, hardly daring to breathe.

Goodnight.

—

Illustration © 2017 Carl Pugh

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