Jack-o-lantern

Sarah carves jack-o’-lanterns every Halloween.It’s a ritual that goes back as far as Toby can remember; his sister arriving home on the last day of October. No matter where she is, no matter what day of the week it is, at some point during the afternoon before the sun has set she rolls into the drive, the back of her car filled to the brim with macabre grinning faces. She unloads them onto the driveway, sometimes with Toby’s help if anyone realises he’s home, otherwise alone, her face grim and determined as she builds them into a haphazard pile on the drive and then positions them around the house. It’s always the same; one under each window, either side of each door and a big one that sits in front of the garage.