Tuesday, January 29, 2008

de la Poer


They say that our small cul-de-sac in Peterborough was built upon an ancient monument, with rumours of pre-druidical temples and long-forgotten heathen rites. Roman remains have been found in the vicinity, up towards the railway bridge.

And at night, we just can't sleep. The walls resonate to the dull repetitive throbbing of enamel on wood. The endless cycle of nibbling makes normal sleep impossible. Even in restless dreams, though, the sound, the noise prevails.

We are infested.

Our house's hideous secret is not lice, worms, flies or even mice. It is worse. It's that most odeous of invaders – rats!

2 comments:

Katie said...

I have read that it's the Chinese year of the Rat, so what do you expect? We had some in our garden a while back, but I don't think I'd want them in the house...

Mike Weedon said...

We had a council rat man round yesterday. He described what I call our 'wildlife garden' as a 'rat garden', almost purposefully designed to attract the ugly wee pests. Personally, I don't mind them in the garden, a long way from the house, but in our home, they are a living nightmare!
Mike