Here’s a new prompt to me, from Steve Tanham at Sun in Gemini
It’s not dark exactly, but anyway here goes…
Post Brexit
Sergeant Theakston mopped his brow. ‘How’d that get there?’
Constable Bould looked at his notes. ‘According to Miss Prism – she lives at number 37 – it was there when she went out this morning for the milk. Appeared overnight.’
‘A house can’t ‘appear’ overnight, Bould.’
‘No Sarge.’
‘Was she sure? Was she drunk?’
Bould considered his notes. Theakston sighed; he wasn’t going to get any sense from his junior. ‘Ok, well, have you knocked?’
‘I thought I’d wait for you, Sarge.’
I bet you did, the older man thought. ‘Ok let’s see what’s going on.’ He strode to the door and rapped on the shiny new paintwork. After a few moments a thirty something man sporting overalls and a huge moustache appeared. ‘Yes?’
‘Mr erm?’
‘Ardovitch.’
‘Right. This house.’
‘Is mine.’
‘Right. The thing is. It’s blocking the bridge.’
‘I fix.’
‘Fix?’
‘Roller. It slip. I fix and we go.’
Theakston glanced at Bould who seemed more interested in the young woman splashing in the river below. Mr Ardovitch noticed too as he said, ‘Is daughter. Lovely, hey?’
Bould turned beetroot. ‘Erm. That is. Like…’
‘Shut up, Bould. Mr Ardovitch, are you saying you rolled this house here?’
‘Yes. Last night.’
Theakston felt something come loose inside his head. The ability to ask questions deserted him; or maybe the need to ask so many questions jammed the works. Bould merely nodded and said, ‘Cool.’
‘I need work.’ Abruptly, Mr Ardovitch turned and closed the door.
‘Bloody hell. What’s going on?’ Theakston felt Bould about to speak. ‘Don’t.’ He held up a hand, preparing to knock again when a deep grinding sound caught his attention. He turned just as a cloud of dust began to envelop the village. Slowly but steadily another small but perfectly formed stone house began to move slowly down the High Street towards the policemen, followed by one, no, two more. Theakston prided himself on his calmness under the most extreme pressure but this was causing him to reassess his ability to cope with stress. The moving buildings ground to a halt a few feet from where the policemen stood. A tall craggy man with a tanned face emerged and walked briskly across. ‘What’s up?’
‘You tell me.’
‘Why’s he parked here? He’s blocking the bridge.’
‘I know. I…’
‘Aren’t you doing anything? This is a public highway.’
Theakston felt his face begin to heat. ‘Now wait a minute. What are you doing here? With that?’
The man looked at the policeman with something approaching condescension. ‘That is my home. Are you saying I shouldn’t have a home?’
‘No, it’s just… It’s a house. It’s not like it’s a caravan.’
‘I see. So you think I should live in a caravan? With five children and my elderly mother?’
Theakston wished he had stayed in bed. ‘No, but you can’t go around moving brick buildings. Can you?’ Even to his own ears he sounded rather pathetic.
The man stepped closer, looming a good few inches over the Sergeant. ‘I came here to work. I was told I was a leech. I took your homes, your jobs. So I’m a builder: I built a home and when I move, it moves. When I find work, it comes with me. Same with all the other Albanian builders. If you didn’t want this, why not be more welcoming? Now if you please, I need to find out why this cottage has stopped and then we can move on.’ He began to move away and then stopped. ‘Oh and you may want to check out the old Police station.’ He waved over his shoulder. ‘Looks like some yobbos have begun a squat.’
TanGental 
Well written Geoffles. The plight of those who genuinely moved here is great ..
LikeLiked by 2 people
Just arrived in various sunny Helsinki. Lovely
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh cool! See how rubbish I am… I didn’t even get round to giving you some ideas of places to go! Enjoy!!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Mrs Effles is on the case!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
How us it going? I look forward to your Finnish post!!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s great evening even if the locals ask us why we have come here for a holiday!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Lol!!! I would love to go back… loved it! Where are you staying?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hotel Art Glo
LikeLiked by 1 person
Even the name sounds cool! We were at the Radisson Blu Seaside.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Love the last line. Priceless.
LikeLiked by 1 person
thanks!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Reblogged this on Sun in Gemini and commented:
Wonderful response from Geoff at Tangental to #NoirWednesday photo prompt: The Little House
LikeLiked by 1 person
Subtle and prodding, Geoff. Loved it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Love the photo
LikeLiked by 1 person
Most entertaining Geoff, loved the concept of the Albanian workers and what might happen to the old police station and the squatters…
LikeLiked by 1 person
yes, well I guess these things may happen and they too will pass!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hilarious, Geoff, with a serious dig. Well done.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Sweet and sour I suppose
LikeLiked by 2 people
A favourite, no doubt! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I bet that Policeman wished he’d stayed i bed that day! Strange things happen around here but at least houses haven’t been moving anywhere. Just my stash of Tim Tams! Lady hasn’t been getting out anymore either. At least, one things not moving when it shouldn’t!
Have fun in Finland and I look forward to reading more and especially seeing the photos!
Miss is off to the Opera House tomorrow night so it’s all happening at this end!
xx Ro
LikeLiked by 1 person
Very exciting
LikeLike
Pingback: #NoirWednesday roundup – ‘The Little House” – Sun in Gemini
Ah! Point perfectly given and taken! Clever response to both #Brexit and the prompt.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I enjoyed that!
Kept wondering what happened with the drains and electricity, though. I never did have any imagination and am too black & white…!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Very practical! Yes plumbing is a challenge
LikeLike
I am hopeless at thinking up any flights of fancy!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Well done.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Enjoyed that one…
LikeLiked by 1 person