Marlowes is a short story published in MIST and other stories, recently republished as MIST and Other Ghost Stories.
Synopsis
This is a sweet story about the Armour family and their deep love for their house, Marlowes. We are beig told the story second hand, our narrator having been told the story by an American lady, staying at a hotel while repairs are made to Marlowes.
The American lady, and her husband Bill, had moved to England upon Bills' retirement and almost immediately found a Tudor manor house in Sussex. They also discovered that the house did not like them and seemed to view them as interlopers.
The local gossip, a Mrs Jones, is eventually coerced into revealing the history of the previous owners, the Armours. Eventually the last male, Gilbert, dies at a young age after being brought up by his aunt, Mrs Flowers (his parents had died when he was young). They had both cherished the house very much and put all of their time into it. However, after Gilbert died, Mrs Flowers could not afford the upkeep of the house and some distant relatives ordered doctors notes to have her set up in the local mental home.
After standing empty for an age, the house is then sold to our American couple, who are aware that Mrs Flowers has escaped once in the past and ended up at the front door of Marlowes. If is, therefore, no surprise, when she does so again and sees Bill as her Gilbert. Bill plays along, not willing to send her back to that place, even when questioned by a police officer.
The day is filled with Mrs Flowers recollections of Gilbert and of her own childhood; Bill filling the place of Gilbert, or her brother, depending on the story. As the day is coming to a close, she wants to sit in her favourite spot in the garden. Bill brings her blankets and cushions, before the couple leave her to rest a while. Upon their return, Bill notices that she is dead.
These days the gossip is aimed at them, but they don't mind, in that short time they had come to love Mrs Flowers - and the house now welcomed and loved them.
Review
This was such a sweet story. Everyone should have the choice of when and where to die, when possible. Mrs Flowers, in such a confused state since she has been forced to leave Marlowes, now recollects the childhood of the nephew she brought up on her own after his parents had died and her own childhood - which were clear as crystal. The feeling of welcome that the house gives Bill and his wife after their kindness towards Mrs Flowers must have been a massive relief. To be able to live in your own home, within that the fours walls that are supposed to bring you safety, without a sensation that they hate you instead made such a difference to the couple that they rarely leave the house.
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