In Which Wilby's Exile Comes To An End,
And He Is Returned To The Bosom Of His Joyful Family
My exile has ended! It concluded as it began, with no warning that my circumstances were about to change. My first inkling that something was afoot was when my bedding and food bowl disappeared from their usual place. Shortly thereafter I was invited to enter the car, and found that my bedding was on the back seat. Furthermore, the Eco-Gardener was clutching a large round basket, covered with a cloth, from which a delicious smell was emanating. She put it well out of my reach.
The E-G then took me on such a long car ride that I fell asleep on the back seat. When we stopped she ushered me up some rather shattered-looking steps to a front door which looked vaguely familiar. She knocked, and we both waited expectantly. The door was opened by the Master of Good Hope!
I gave him a quick few wags of the tail by way of greeting and then rushed down the hallway to check whether the house was in order. Actually, it looked like it had been struck by an earthquake, with things higgledy-piggledy all over the floor. The M of GH told the E-G apologetically that they hadn't finished unpacking properly yet. They certainly had not started putting anything away, that was certain. It was then I remembered that the Master's children are not renowned for their tidiness, but rather their creativity and affection. (I have tried modelling to them that all three are possible together, but so far without noticeable effect.)
While I went outside to check the grounds the E-G and the M of GH went off somewhere, returning an hour or so later with the Eco-Forester. At this point the contents of the interesting-smelling basket were unpacked and placed on the coffee table. They proved to be a very fine carrot cake, decorated with my initial. A 'Welcome Home Wilby!' cake. How thoughtful of the E-G. (Although the M of GH was under the impression that it was his initial – M for Michael – and that this was a belated birthday cake for him. Well, let him think that. I don't mind sharing the joy.)
The M of GH cut several far too big pieces for the humans, and one far too small piece for me. My smidgeon was long gone when the girl children began arriving home from school, and started feasting on the cake. But I was so pleased to see them again, I didn't mind at all.
So now my exile is at an end, and my country adventures are over. Will I see the Eco-Gardener and the Eco-Forester again? Will I visit my favourite haunts in Port Levy again? Will there be any more adventures like the ones I have had in the past two months??? If there are, you may be sure I will relate them to you as faithfully as I have always done. Watch this space...
I rest contentedly with my family again,
and admire the chameleon gifts they brought back from South Africa.
(Also the carrot cake.)
No comments:
Post a Comment