Charles and Elanor — Image by Jill Wellington from Pixabay

Elanor reached across the small table to pour tea into the small plastic teacup set in front of her oversized teddy bear. To the girl, it was not just a teddy bear. His name was Charles and he was her favorite companion. Every day, around 2 o’clock, Charles and Elanor sat down to have their tea and biscuits. Each day,

Elanor imagined them to be in a different beautiful and extravagant setting. On this day, in particular, her imagination had taken them outside. They had made an ancient tree stump their table for the midday meal. It was a beautifully sunny day. A light breeze cut through the summer heat. It was absolutely perfect.

She had brought a lovely flowered table cloth for their small tea spread. It matched the wildflowers around them. Shades of blue, purple, pink, and green were all around the two of them.

“What do you think of the garden, Charles?” she asked as she sipped her tea. She held her pinky up high as she lifted the cup slowly to her mouth. Her cousin Olivia had told her that holding her pinky out was a display of class and sophistication.

“It’s magnificent, Miss Ellie,” he replied in her mind.

“Why thank you,” she replied. “I am quite pleased with it as well.”

“Your dress is quite lovely, as well,” Charles told her.

“Isn’t it?” she beamed and pulled at the hem. She was wearing her favorite dress. It was light and flowy, perfect for their summer outing. In shades of white and light purple, it blended into the scene she had created.

“How is your tea, Charles?” she asked her friend.

“It is quite good, thank you.” In her mind, Charles the bear gave her a polite smile and adjusted his red bowtie.

The two continued their tea time peacefully. On occasion, Elanor would ask Charles a question or vice versa. For the most part, though, Elanor daydreamed about being out in the warm summer sun. She could almost feel its rays on her skin as she sipped her pretend tea. What she wouldn’t give to be able to go out to the garden and enjoy the sun. Unfortunately for her, it was mid-January. Her mom had said the snow was halfway up the door. She wouldn’t be enjoying the sun today or any day soon.

She wasn’t going to let that fact bring her down, though. She closed her eyes tight and leaned her head back, feeling the pretend sun on her face.

“What a beautiful day,” she said.

Thank you for reading! This is one of my older stories written for a challenge. I hope you enjoy it, too.

If you’re more interested in true crime, please feel free to check out my other work!