Thanks so much, Donna McNicol for taking on our weekly challenge.
“Councillors, it’s my great pleasure to introduce you to our new Chair of Highways, Harold Bolton”.
His predecessor, Jackson Smythe had suddenly and unexpectedly left the post. He’d not been seen since. Not by his family, nor the Police.
*
It was just another day at the office until Bolton’s secretary rushed in.
“There’s an emergency in Park Street, an enormous hole’s appeared. The road’s closed and we need your authorisation to start repairs”.
“It’s just a backstreet”, said Bolton looking somewhat concerned. “We’ll do as little as necessary to level the surface”.
Within hours, work started. A rumbling digger clawed at the road whilst workmen bustled around with shovels and pickaxes.
From a distant bench in the park a man in a hooded anorak, supposedly reading a newspaper, looked on. Councillor Bolton.
“Stop, stop!” yelled the foreman frantically waving his arms. The machine fell silent as the men dropped their tools and gathered around the crater.
“Call the police, NOW!”
Harold Bolton broke into a sweat and began shaking uncontrollably. He stood, then staggered away.
*
‘Body of Jackson Smythe found buried beneath road’ said the headline in the local paper. ‘Chair of Highways Harold Bolton has yet to comment’.
This weeks picture is Pexels from Pixabay
Grab a spade to join in the fun!
Thanks for making me rack my brain for a story about a body under the road. Season 3 Unforgotten.
You unforgot it in the end! Thanks Denise.
Hats off to you — you did a lot with 199 words
The first draft was a lot longer, but we got there with a bit of chipping and chopping! Cheers Christine.
Good story Keith.
Thanks so much.
Hi Keith – brilliant take on the red chair in the highway … I did wonder as I saw the title – but cleverly constructed … not nice for a summer’s day though – cheers HIlary
More of a rainy day rant! Actually, I might just change that title – it’s rather gives the story away!
Yup – but today is still sunny … !! It’s posted – leave it in peace … ?!
I’m not one for leaving things in peace!
Lol, “chair of highways” — it took me twice, but I got it! And oh my, that bad Mr. Bolton is going to have some ‘splaining to do!
He soon be handing the chair to someone else, that’s for sure!Cheers Joy.
Now that was marvelous!! Thanks so much for joining in the fun!!
Thanks for enabling us to continue with the fun Donna!
What a tangled web! Very good story!
Thanks Mimi
Oh unexplained buried bodies, How fun!
Thanks so much Tessa
You are welcome.
Great story in a teeny wordcount!
Thanks so much.
I see what you did, very clever, Keith.