.
‘What’s in that one?’ he asked.
‘Strawberry jam’ she said.
There were dozens of jars.
‘And that one?’
‘Preserved fruit’
After her husband departed, she started making stuff; marmalade, chutney, and the like.
‘That one looks interesting’ he said.
‘Inspector’ she said, wishing to change the subject. ‘I’m sure you’re not here to discuss my culinary skills’.
‘Absolutely’’ he said. ‘We’re somewhat concerned about the disappearance of your husband. I have a few questions for you’.
.
After the inspector left she picked up the ‘interesting’ jar.
‘You broke my heart, so I helped myself to yours’ she muttered. ‘You have no use for it now’
.
.
For Friday Fictioneers which is hosted by Rochelle. The photo is courtesy of Jean L Hayes
Brings a whole new meaning to ‘eat your heart out’. I’ll pass on the toast. Nicely done, Keith.
LikeLiked by 3 people
It really is very nice pate! Cheers Sandra.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Keith,
EEEEEEW! Grisly little tale. Or dare I say, heart wrenching? Well done.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 3 people
That about sums it up, Rochelle! Thank you.
LikeLiked by 1 person
As soon as you said ‘inspector’ I knew where this would be heading! Delightfully grisly Keith
LikeLiked by 2 people
Delighted to have grissed you, Iain!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear god! What an unexpectedly grisly tale. Well done for shocking me, Keith! 🙂
Susan A Eames at
Travel, Fiction and Photos
LikeLiked by 1 person
I thought it would make a change from my usual cosy tales! Cheers Susan.
LikeLike
Chilling, Keith!
There are several real stories like these. Wonder how people have the heart to do this…
Here’s my story-
Stranger Outside?- Anita
LikeLiked by 1 person
People do the strangest things. Thanks, Anita.
LikeLike
So now bit of him could be be served up as a teatime treat? Oh dear. Brilliant tale, Keith.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yum-yum! I’ll save you some Jilly!
LikeLiked by 1 person
OMG!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I couldn’t put it better myself!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Grimly funny! The piquant contrast between murder and the domestic tranquillity of making preserves makes a lovely ‘amuse-bouche’
LikeLiked by 1 person
I was hoping that would come through! Thanks, Penny.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Keith – there’s rather too much of that sort of thing going on or being found out about .. usually freezer jam – yugh! Not good – Hilary
LikeLiked by 1 person
Can’t say I’ve done it myself but I’m sure you are right Hilary!
LikeLiked by 1 person
So much for nice little old ladies making jam…:)
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m told her jam is quite nice!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh yeah! Getting to the heart of the matter. Neat take Keith.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That would have been a good title! Cheers.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oy. You can’t trust those quiet, domestic types 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
They are the ones that so often get away with it!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes. Because they ARE quiet, domestic types 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ooh. Eat your heart out, right?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Right! Cheers Fandango.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh… and here I was hoping that she would serve the inspector some mince pie.
LikeLiked by 1 person
She wouldn’t waste on him! Thanks Bjorn
LikeLike
Good starter for a blood pudding
LikeLiked by 1 person
Certainly is! Cheers Stuhn
LikeLike
Wonderfully chilling.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much
LikeLiked by 1 person
I guess she also made some black puddings.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I must ask her – I love it! Cheers Mike
LikeLike
i thought she wouldn’t have the heart, but i was mistaken.
LikeLiked by 1 person
She’s pretty heartless – so’s he now! Thanks, Plaridel.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh, dear. Don’t make her angry!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wise advice Mimi!
LikeLike
Ha ha ha. Fun that one, reminded me of my favorite short story of all time – Lamb to the Slaughter by Roald Dahl.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That really is a great story! Thanks Anurag.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ah the revengeful wife, reminds me of tales from the dark side.
LikeLiked by 1 person
The smiling assassin! Cheers James
LikeLiked by 1 person
Excellent foreshadowing capped by a chilling end. Hell hath no fury . . .
LikeLiked by 1 person
I hope she doesn’t get the jars mixed up and accidentally sells that one at the village market… 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
After reading these stories, I headed off to the Scout parent committee meeting with some freshly baked brownies and almost felt I needed a certificate to prove they were safe. I’ve been wearing a pale pink jumper lately, which I see as “camo”. These days I’m having fun flying under the radar and being something of an observer. Dare I say, a spy. Power dressing is over-rated.
Best wishes,
Rowena
LikeLiked by 1 person
I suppose brownies could remble the contents of the jar. Hopefully, none of the other committee members read my story! I’ll be watching you creeping around the blogosphere!.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Not so much need for creeping around the blogosphere, just in the real world. Many people seem very stressed and on edge and could explode any minute. I’m trying to exit stage left.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ouch ouch, and I was so prepared to be sorry for the poor lady. She sure knows how to get her revenge.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You could say she was heartless, but that’s more applicable to her late hubby!
LikeLike
Oh, zap! Wasn’t expecting that. Those jars did beg for a story, didn’t they? Well done.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I had a feeling most people would focus on that bird or whatever it outside, so I didn’t! Thanks, Alicia
LikeLiked by 1 person
I started with a woman canning jar after jar of corn, beans, and tomatoes, then switched. I’m glad you carried on.
LikeLiked by 1 person
“Secret’s in the sauce”… So many beastie’s hearts can be eaten… but I’ll pass, thank you.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I don’t know, it might be tasty! Cheers Dale.
LikeLiked by 1 person
😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
Her husband got her into one kind of jam. She got him into another?
LikeLike
Haha! The puns just keep coming! Cheers Larry
LikeLiked by 1 person
A well told tale Keith, and so creepy. I’m trying not to think about that jar of preserved husband heart….
LikeLiked by 1 person
Not the best tale to read if you are about to eat page on toast! Thanks WWM
LikeLike
Ooooo chilling. Well told murder mystery here
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much Laurie, much appreciated.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I am sure the husband did not expect that!
Nicely done.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Too right! Cheers Coline
LikeLike
I WAS going to have jam on my toast this morning … now I’m not so sure … 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
Have some meat paste instead!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh no! 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
Chilling indeed,
LikeLiked by 1 person
Brrrr! Thanks YS
LikeLiked by 1 person
She’d be well advised to burn that before the Inspector returns.
LikeLiked by 1 person
…or eat it, though on second thoughts! Thanks Liz.
LikeLike
What ?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Very chilling. It reminds me somewhat of Shakespeare’s play, Titus Andronicus where the Queen of the Goths eats a pie in which her two sons were baked. Grisly stuff.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much for comparing me to Shakespeare! I’d forgotten about that event. Thanks so much.
LikeLike
You do these well. For a minute there I thought I was reading C.E.’s blog. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Brilliant ending! 😀
Saw it coming..but loved the words in which it was conveyed! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Loved it…you know, in a gruesome kind of way. I wonder if she has some interesting ground meat in the freezer?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Haha! I’m not sure what that says about yu Sascha!
LikeLiked by 1 person
…and I’ll never be able to delete that comment. 😉
LikeLike