"She Always Had Her Nose Buried in a Book"

I've always loved to read. This book is my favourite. I was delighted to find this new copy when I woke up.

It's gloomy, but that doesn't hinder me. My lips curve, thinking of Mother. You'll strain your eyes!

It's not too comfortable - quite narrow - but soon I'll be lost in another world completely.

Strange. Turning pages is tricky.

There's an annoying pitter-patter, like rain on a roof. Sombre voices drone, far away. Is someone crying, somewhere above me?

The voices leave, pattering stops.

Ahh, peace! Settling into silk and scents of dirt and rotting flowers, I turn another page.

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Thank you for reading! As always, all engagement is evaluated, and - once authenticated - appreciated and reciprocated 😁

If you are interested in the story behind the story: this little scribble was inspired by a conversation I had with Mikeydred. Special thanks to Mike for that. The cover pic I chose is from my own Graveyard Book (like Desert Island Discs, but for books, and you only get one). Witches Abroad - Pratchett's masterpiece! The bit with Nanny and Casanunda in the clock just kills me. Greebo is brilliant. I apologise that resizing the image left it a little fuzzy.

The wages of sin is death but so is the salary of virtue, and at least the evil get to go home early on Fridays.

My questions to you - what's your "graveyard book"? Not the Neil Gaiman one - I mean, if you were buried alive, what's the book you hope they would put in there with you so you could at least die happy? Or, if after you died, your consciousness woke up... what's the one book you'd cheerfully read for the rest of time? Leave me the quote that is most likely to entice me to read it 😁

This is my 4th entry in the Microfiction challenge. If you enjoyed it, feel free to pop your eyeballs on the others:

Just One Wish

The Intruder

Confessions of a Murderer

Edit: I've had a couple of people ask me if she's dead, or buried alive. I nearly left this up to the reader, because the idea of being buried alive is fascinating/horrifying all by itself. But in my mind, she's dead. That's why she doesn't need light to see, and why turning pages is tricky. The title is her epitaph.