Time! I never have enough of it. Do you?
I have so much to do today and need more time before my visitors arrive. They’ll be here anytime. I don’t know the exact time, but it’ll be today. The anticipation is killing me.
But at least I have everything I need to do those household jobs. I only cleaned the house last week, but it needs cleaning again before they arrive. I hate visitors coming to a dirty house, don’t you?
I’ll grab the mop with the frayed handle and start with the kitchen, scrubbing every corner, even the ones that don’t need it. Then, I’ll move on to the bathroom, ensuring it’s spotless without a speck of anything suspicious. I need enough time to ensure I get rid of any proof of my recent visitor. I had better check that the stairs carpet is also free of fluff and fur and give it a good vacuuming.
When the supermarket delivery driver arrived with all the cleaning products I’d ordered, he asked if I had a bad cold. ‘It’s not a cold, just an allergy to cat fur,’ I told him. ‘I didn’t know you had a cat,’ he replied, his eyes widening in surprise. ‘I don’t,’ I responded. He looked at me as if I were some mad person. But at least he was on time. ‘And why all the bleach?’ he asked. ‘It was on offer,’ I lied to him. ‘You know how it is; can’t resist a good deal,’ I added nervously. For a moment, I thought he was on to me.
87 minutes later
Phew! Where did the time go? I’m finally done. And just in the nick of time, because here come the visitors. Don’t they look smart in their uniforms? Just like they did last week when they visited. Right, I better answer the door. I can’t help but wonder if they’ve figured it out yet. They’ve had enough time. They look like they’re here for a friendly chat, but little do they know I’m onto them.
“Mr Kingston. We meet again.”
“Yes. I thought you’d be back. Is this the third time?
“The fourth. I’m Constable Summerfield, and this is my colleague Constable Jones—-“
“There’s no need to show me your identity cards; I know who you are; come on in.”
“We need to ask you more questions about the recent disappearances of the neighbourhood cats. This time, I intend not to waste any more police time than I have to. Is that bleach I can smell? Every time we come around, you seem to have just finished cleaning. I wish I had the time to keep my home as clean as yours. Now, about those missing cats…”
Written for Esther Chilton’s writing prompt – Time.
More flash fiction from Hugh
Flash Fiction – Swimming Lessons
I’m terrified of water. But the swimming instructor had other ideas.
Flash Fiction – Life And Death In The City
A man deeply connected to the city loses his job and believes the city needs change. This culminates in drastic action. Can he save the city?
Flash Fiction – Colours Behind The Mask
A difficult choice of lip colour, comfortable purple shoes, a new green dress, and nostalgic gold nail varnish set the stage for an unexpected encounter.
Follow Hugh on his social media platforms by clicking the buttons below.
Copyright @ 2024 hughsviewsandnews.com – All rights reserved.
Discover more from Hugh's Views & News
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
Hugh's Views & News 
This was rather unexpected! You are a great writer. I am glad to have found your blog. I’ve given you a follow and look forward to your post!
Thank you.
That was such an unexpected ending, Hugh. When those visitors knocked on the door, I thought they might be the Health Department or Social Servives. They were returning to inspect the house because they had given the main character an ultimatum to clean his house. But when the police asked about the disappearing cats, I figured out what was going on.
I’m glad you enjoyed this piece of flash fiction and didn’t expect the ending, Kay. I like to scatter a few clues in my flash fiction, but I also like to throw in the odd red herring. However, the best part of sharing these stories is to hear what the reader thinks is happening.
Well done for keeping the secret till the end. A clue dropped about a cat allergy when he had no cat, but it just deepened the mystery.
I like to weave the odd clue into a story if I can, and I also like to insert some red herrings. I’m glad you enjoyed it.
Whoa! I like how you casually wove clues into the story before the police showed up. And what a surprise that was! These police officers are a far cry from Sherlock Holmes. 🌞
I agree, Dave. I think they need more training or perhaps a career change.
Great storytelling, Hugh. I enjoyed how you combined humor and dark into your tale. Poor cats!
Combining humour and horror doesn’t always seem right to me, but when I created Mr Kingston, Eugi, I had him down as some kind of comedian.
Such a dark story! You built it up really well before revealing the true nature of the main protagonist. Very compelling.
Thanks, Esther. I didn’t want to give too much away in the story before the ending, but it’s great that you picked out the dark nature of the story.
Delightful – what a wonderful addition you are to the neighborhood! I’m sure your visitors were impressed! Got a good chuckle out of this one Hugh! Thanks!
That’s good. I wanted the humour to come over, as well as the horror of what Mr Kingston may have done to those neighbourhood cats.
Have you ever seen Arsenic and Old Lace? Same humor/horror combo which I love!
I’ve heard of it but haven’t seen it. It’s one to add to the ‘must-watch’ list.
I hope you like it!
Good, dark tale, Hugh! Now if we could only do that to get rid of the pesky feral cats in our neighborhood!
I take it that feral cats aren’t put off by a barking dog, Terri? We have foxes here, but if they hear Austin barking, you don’t see them for dust.
They are and they run away fast. But my neighbor found one sleeping above her chicken coop!
Yikes! I bet your neighbour was more shocked than the feral cat who got into the coop.
Yikes! A dark cat tale. :)
Or should that be a dark ‘human’ tale?
Exactly! It is definitely a dark ‘human’ tale.
What a ‘fun’ story Hugh. My mind is going to all sorts of goulish places, imagining what he’s doing with the cats …. feeding the neighbourhood dogs maybe?
This is not where I thought we were headed at the beginning. I had visions of a neurotic housewife cleaning before fussy, house-proud visitors called (eg Hyacinth Bucket) … not sure that would have been less scary 😬
Oh, I love Hyacinth Bucket, Brenda. But I see her more as a fussy visitor rather than a scary one. She could certainly earn her keep and dust the plants in my garden, though.
Glad you found the humour I wanted to include in this piece of horror.
I think Elizabeth would disagree about scary but I know what you mean
What a catastrophic thing to happen to the neighborhood? :)
Mr Kingston seems to be having the neighbourhood cleared. I wonder who or what could be next? My money is on the Supermarket delivery guy.
Fun story if you hate cats!
Looks like there’s some pretty dumb police in that town. Showing your dark side again Mr Roberts!
My dark side always wants to be king of the keyboard, Paul. One day, he may just lose his crown.