The two boys sat together, both sharing a wooden stool at the fireside, the light from the fire reflecting in their young faces.

Over the boys’ heads an old gaslight spluttered and hissed as it suffused the room with its harsh illume.  Apart from the dancing firelight emitted by the old black range (stove) that single-mantled gas lamp was the room’s only source of illumination.

The two young brothers sitting on their stool gazed across the fireside and contemplated the elderly lady who sat on a straight-backed wooden chair opposite them. The old lady, sat very erect with hands in her lap, one hand tightly clutching her snuff tin. The stern Victorian aspect to this old woman’s demure belied the kindness of the true spirit within. The older of the two boys was the first to break the silence.

“Ah go on, Aunt Kate, tell us another scary story”.

“Yes,” echoed the younger boy, “tell us another story and then we’ll go to bed”.

The boys’ old Great Aunt regarded the imploring expression on the countenance of her two young nephews and as usual relented.

“Right! Just one more story. Just one more, mind you, and then it’s off to bed for you pair. I’ll tell you a story about my Grandfather … now that would be your Great, Great Grandfather” said the old lady.

The two boys sat upright on their uncomfortable looking wooden stool and waited with expectation for their Aunt to begin her narrative.

... more to follow ....