If It's Too Good To be True

by Allison Symes

  frothy milkshake

You know the old “you can only have three wishes” ploy - well I think I’ve found a way round it. I was clearing my late mum's place before putting it on the market. Dad died years ago and Mum got a new lease of life to be honest. Think very old school. I don't miss him but Mum's another story. Anyway I found this old lamp.

Course I know the old tale. Mum took me to all the pantomimes when I was a kid. Later, she introduced me to the theatre, Shakespeare especially. Anyway for a laugh, I rub the lamp. What harm could it do?

I tell you I nearly joined dear old Mum when that genie turned up. He was surprised to see me though he was sorry to hear about Mum.

Then I found out about the scam. Mum and the genie had a good  racket going. Her only wish was for dirt to blackmail people with who would pay up and keep quiet. She would ask for two small payments only to be paid in cash. They were never more than £5000 each and often much lower so the people concerned felt they were getting off lightly! No wonder we could afford all those theatre trips. Mum worked as a hospitall cleaner!

What does the genie get  of it? If he gets sent back to his world, he'll be put to death for corruption so the longer he stays in his lamp the better. The great thing is as Mum's only heir, I inherit her wish so we can keep this going!

It has been an eye-opener to see how many on Mum's list she didn"t get to do. I must be off now. Have lots to do!

About the author 

Allison Symes is published by Chapeltown Books, Cafe Lit, and Bridge House Publishing amongst others.  She is a member of the Society of Authors and Association of Christian Writers.  Her website is www.allisonsymescollectedworks.wordpress.com and she blogs for Chandler’s Ford Today - http://chandlersfordtoday.co.uk/author/allison-symes/