Wednesday's Words on a Friday

 The original Words for Wednesday was begun by Delores and eventually taken over by a moveable feast of participants when Delores had computer troubles. Sadly, Delores has now closed her blog forever due to other problems.

The aim of the words is to encourage us to write. A story, a poem, whatever comes to mind.

If you are posting an entry on your own blog, please let us know so we can come along to read it and add a few encouraging words.

This month the words/prompts are supplied by Janice and can be found here

This week's words/prompts are:

1.hand  2.useful  3.panic  4.horse  5.shape  6.sharp

and/or:

1.nuisance  2.boredom  3.quizzical  4.history  5.warfare  6.hair

and a bonus set of words:

1.notification  2.money  3.cotton  4.spray  5.clock  6.mug

Here is my story:

Hand over hand, with the gentle pulling on the halter rope, the horse slowly emerged from the smoke filled stable, at first just a hazy shape, then a muzzle and forelegs, and as soon as Viking smelled fresh air he gave a snort and lunged outward, the panic in his eyes still visible but quickly clearing as Cameron whistled softly and patted his neck while leading him away from the sharp acrid smell that indicated the fire was deliberately set and not accidental.

Julie was furiously yelling into the phone at the police officer on the other end of the line, telling him he had “better get out here quick smart!” or she would come and drag him.  Cameron chuckled at that, picturing five foot nothing Julie trying to drag a six-foot twelve-stone constable more than an inch or two. The fire engine siren announced its arrival and men jumped out in all directions, unwinding hoses and looking for a useful water source in case their tank ran out.

After inquiring if any other animals inside they set about hosing down the burning stable and the fire chief questioned Cameron. “A fine way to beat the summer boredom,” he said with a grin, “but I wouldn’t recommend it.” “Have you contacted Criminal Investigation?” asked Cameron. “They’ll need to examine what’s left, I know I can smell something flammable, similar to kerosene, but can’t pinpoint what it actually is.” “They’re on their way,” said Warren. “I left notification as soon as you rang us.”

Jets of water began to spray inside the stable as well as onto the roof, while surrounding areas were also soaked in case sparks flew. “Paperwork is a nuisance always, but I’m going to have to write this up in detail,” he continued. “You haven’t been here long enough to make enemies, so I’m betting this is more of the warfare feuding between the original owner and that old fellow up on the knoll behind you. The history on that is quite long.”

“I know of it,” said Cameron, “it was detailed in the forms attached to the will, Julie’s ancestor and his cousin fought over who owned this particular field but no one knows why.” Julie came out with a mug of tea for everyone, her hair still in disarray from frantic finger-combing while she was on the phone. She swiped at sooty smudges on her cotton dress while stating “that officer better be here before the clock ticks over into the next hour!” “Sounds like you had Dudley on the other end,” said Warren. He’ll be here, he’s just a bit slow getting started, but he’ll get the job done in the end.”

This earned him a quizzical look from Julie, so he told her he and Dudley were cousins of some kind, second or third or something like that. She sighed heavily as a faint siren sounded coming from the direction of town, “that will be him I guess, I’ll go and make more tea and open a couple of packets of biscuits.” Shaking her head at the devastation before her she marched off, muttering something about money not growing on trees.