The Key Beneath the Mat
This week’s Story Starter teaser is:
The spare key was under the mat, exactly where my mother had left it twenty years ago.
Fandango’s Story Starter #268
The Key Beneath the Mat
Fandango’s Story Starter — 13 October 2026
The spare key was under the mat, exactly where my mother had left it twenty years ago.
I stood on the doorstep, staring at the little brass key resting in my palm.
Twenty years.
Twenty years since I’d walked out of this house after her funeral, promising myself I’d never return.
Yet here I was.
The house smelled exactly as I remembered. Lavender, old books, and the faintest trace of freshly brewed coffee.
I smiled despite myself.
“Hello, Mum.”
The silence answered.
Everything was untouched.
Her favourite armchair beside the window. The embroidered cushions. The grandfather clock that had stopped at 3:17 the afternoon she died.
I wandered into the kitchen.
Two cups stood on the table.
One blue.
One purple.
My mother’s favourite colour had always been blue.
Mine was purple.
I touched the purple cup.
It was warm.
My heart began to race.
Then I noticed the envelope.
My name was written across the front in her familiar handwriting.
Inside was a single sheet of paper.
My darling girl,
I knew you’d come back when you were ready.
You always were stubborn. You got that from me.
I laughed through sudden tears.
Don’t spend your life regretting the things we never said. I heard every word you whispered after I was gone.
And please, for heaven’s sake, stop blaming yourself.
You were never supposed to save me.
You were supposed to live.
I sank into the chair.
For twenty years, I’d carried the guilt of missing her final telephone call.
Twenty years wondering whether she’d needed me.
Whether she’d been frightened.
Whether she’d died thinking I’d forgotten her.
A gentle breeze moved through the kitchen.
The grandfather clock began to chime.
Once.
Twice.
Three times.
I looked towards the doorway.
For just a moment, I thought I saw her standing there.
Smiling.
Then the scent of lavender filled the room.
I folded the letter against my heart.
“Goodbye, Mum.”
And somewhere, impossibly close, I heard her voice.
“Not goodbye, sweetheart. Just see you later.”
Outside, the sun broke through the clouds.
And for the first time in twenty years, I left the house without looking back.
The End.
With love, coffee, poetry, and stardust,
— Maggie The Afterlove Voice 💫
Dj Maggie in the house 🎧
https://ditto.fm/arena-51-the-calima-conspiracy-original-mix
https://ditto.fm/arena-51-the-calima-conspiracy-alien-invasion-remix
https://ditto.fm/silenced-but-not-broken
If you want a reading, send me an email:
Leave a Reply