Gossip is rife in Bridbydale when the Bonners arrive in the village. Amongst other mysteries, the central one perplexing the villagers most is "Has anyone actually seen Mrs Bonner?". An unnamed visitor seems the unlikeliest to learn the truth, but he is the unwitting recipient of just that from Mr Bonner himself, who unburdens himself of the history of how he came to be in the village and the tale of the mysterious woman who accompanied him. From ruralest Yorkshire to London and back again, this long short story hopes to tempt those interested in the macabre, the fantastical and the unsettling. I'm trying to play with the idea of ingrained misogyny and the lessons we fail to learn at various stages in our treatment of women. It's yet to be polished up to a more satisfying read - perhaps fleshed out into a novella, perhaps forgotten - my impatience always gets the better of me when there is a new project in mind. This and a much shorter riff on it (called "Naturans | Naturata") are both on the site. The short story shares some plot points and some prose, but is altogether a different take as I try to work out what I really want to say and how I want to say it. Both stories are still works in progress, as I try to find one definitive way forward in telling the story, but I hope you enjoy nonetheless.
7 parts