The Grandfather Clock
The old grandfather clock in the hall stands silent, as it has for many years. Hands paused permanently at two minutes to midnight.
That’s when it happened. And those hands bear silent witness to those awful events, all those years ago.
I’ve grown up with it, and just as my parents did with me, my kids are told to go look at the clock whenever they’ve misbehaved.
It’s a solemn reminder to them of the penalties of naughtiness.
There’s no truth to the story of course, my parents made it up, but it doesn’t half keep the kids in check!