The 14th Earl of Cumberbatch

Challenge - Photo Prompt - 250 Words 


Ladies and Gentlemen, if you’ll follow me, we’ll begin the tour of the house.

In the main hallway, you’ll see portraits of some of the former residents. This distinguished Gentleman is the fourteenth Earl of Cumberbatch, whose grandson owns the property today.

There is a sad story regarding the fourteenth Earl, he was an inventor who spent many years trying to perfect a time machine. The family tried to persuade him to turn his talents to something more believable but one day he abandoned his work and is believed to have thrown himself into the river that flows through the estate. Today is the one hundredth anniversary of his disappearance.

The next room was his workshop, and we still have his “time machine” on display although sadly it will never work.

“Don’t you believe in time travel” came a voice from the back of the small crowd of visitors.

“Certainly not” I replied. “It’s all stuff and nonsense”.

“Ah, but wouldn’t it be fun if it was truly possible” he said, with a note of excitement in his voice “I can’t wait to see it”.

“it’s just a heap of junk” I answered.

As we entered the workshop an elderly gentleman pushed past me and knelt by the display.

“Excuse me Sir” you’re not allowed to touch the exhibits.

“Be off with you girl and leave me to my work” he snapped.

“Just who do you think you are” I spat angrily.

“Why, the fourteenth Earl of Cumberbatch” he replied.


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