Just One Candle

Chapter One

The Family

Christmas day had been full of fun. Laura washed-up while the children went off to play. This year Laura had managed to buy her eldest son a book on butterflies and moths, he had become interested after finding a weird moth in his bedroom. Peter was nearly 11 years old, and extremely grown-up for his age.

Susan was the middle-aged child at 8 years old, she had outgrown the dolly-stage, instead, she preferred to sit and use her new colouring book and pens.

Mollie was the youngest at 5 years old, and despite inheriting Susan's dolls, she loved her new dolly.

Laura had worked overtime to save for the presents. Her job at the nearby cafe was fitted-in between school times. It was hard work, but the rent and bills had to be paid. When Mollie was 2 years old, Laura had to move her family and stay in a 'safe-house'. Her husband had been abusive and even threatened her family and friends.

Finally, the police arrested her husband and placed a restraining order on him. But again and again, he tracked-down his wife and tried to kill her. The police moved Laura and her children, while they charged Mark for attempted murder. During his 5-year prison sentence, Laura managed to move from one side of the country to the other.

Laura changed her surname and rented a mid-terraced house on the outskirts of London. She hated not being able to contact her family and friends, but she had to for the sake of her children. The house was a typical 2-up, 2-down with no double-glazing or central heating. All the appliances were electric which involved using a meter. Once the money ran-out, so did the electric.

Sat on the sofa with her children snuggled-up, their tired eyes beginning to close. A small electric heater gave off just enough heat to make the room feel cosy. Above the electric heater was an old wooden mantle-piece. The fire-place and chimney boarded-up.

Today had been amazing, but Laura knew she had used most of the meter-money on their lavish dinner. It was quite normal for the electric to go out unexpectedly. A torch was used to go up the stairs, and a supply of candles was kept near the old fire-place. In the corner next to the draughty windows, a small Christmas tree twinkled. Its fairy-lights operated by batteries, the decorations made by the children at school.

On the mantle-piece, three pretty Christmas cards made by the children were flanked by the only shop-bought card which Laura's boss had given her.

It was nearly 8.30 pm and the children were falling asleep from the long, excitable day. Laura noticed the kitchen light was flickering, this usually meant the power would go soon. Very carefully she helped the children go up to bed. Peter had the small box-room, Susan and Mollie had the main bedroom, while Laura slept downstairs. After tucking her children into bed, she just made it down the stairs when the electric ran out.

The Christmas tree continued to twinkle, its lights flashing on and off. Outside the wind began to howl, cold draughts coming through the window made it feel like it might snow. Laura grabbed her blankets and pillow from the cupboard, then checked all the doors were locked. After living in this draughty house for years she knew her way around in the dark, but today she had forgotten about the wrapping paper and Christmas cracker toys strewn everywhere. After standing on yet another plastic toy, she lit one of the candles. This would hopefully last until she was ready to go to sleep.

The candle was two-thirds burnt down, its fragrance long gone. Outside the bitterly-cold wind blew through the old windows. Huge shadows were cast around the room from the flickering candle. Each gust of wind threatened to snuff-out the tiny flame, but the candle remained lit.

Laura felt the icy-chill swallow up the last bit of heat within the room. She blew out the candle and returned to the sofa. Despite wearing a thick jumper, two fleece blankets and a heavy overcoat, she still shivered. The whole house rattled and creaked. The children had become used to these noises, and even gave some of them a name. In the bathroom next to Peter's box-room, the small window had toilet paper shoved under the gaps, to stop the door from rattling, but nothing could stop the door from hitting the wall.