I Need a Holiday!

Story to follow. I'm having a break over the Christmas period.

Darcy Fielding.

o 0 O 0 o

So, What's Been Happening?

Hello my friends - and apologies for our silence over the last month. It's Darcy Fielding, in case you were wondering. And if you were also wondering about the reason for my particular absence, read on!

o 0 O 0 o

In summary, I needed a holiday.  That in itself may surprise you, workaholic that I am, but one can reach a point when the amount of work becomes too much. In fact I had reached the point where, when I was leaving home for work, I found myself looking back and longing to remain with my family.

I have always managed to balance my home and working life - until recently. The population growth in Mellowdene - including crittizens in both the village and the county - has steadily been eroding that balance. You may remember how busy I was last Christmas and my family time was going to suffer. Fortunately, my good friend and work colleague Harry Hawthorne stepped in to share the load. Everything worked well but it made me think. I needed to make changes.

That became essential following the opening of Chunglewood. Now, even though we haven't mentioned the people of that village much this year, their influence has been felt, particularly in some quarters. Granted that most of their residents still haven't left their home in Tall Tree Forest, but - possibly because of that - there is an official policy to ensure they will feel welcome when they do. The Mellowdene Examiner has been publishing a small weekly magazine specifically for the Chunglewoodians, gently giving them an insight into Mellowdene. We've taken selected articles from back issues of my newspaper, suitably edited, with a view to acclimatising them to our nature. As you might imagine, this has significantly added to our workload.

It became clear that a holiday was needed to give me a break. It was also clear we'd need help to keep the paper running in my absence but we had to acknowledge that would only be a temporary respite. A long term plan was needed. I would need a permanent increase to my staff numbers.

And that's what I did. For the past six months we have had three additional employees at the Mellowdene Examiner. And wow. They are good.

o 0 O 0 o

I'll get to the three additions shortly but first I'll remind you of my current colleagues.

Harry Hawthorne may be my lead reporter but he does so much more. I decided to make him deputy editor but that was only when we'd agreed on the balance of his duties; he does like reporting and interacting with the public.

Antonia Petite does a little news reporting but she concentrates on community articles including her popular "People" column where she interviews villagers about their lives.

Although a freelance travel writer on paper, Ricardo Porcini goes beyond his syndicated travel column to help Mellowdenians learn about other Sylvanian communities.

I must include my friend Jackson Butterglove as he plays a small role in my newspaper. Of course he writes the majority of this blog, but as far as Mellowdene is concerned he writes occasional articles for the Mellowdene Examiner. It helps explain our association here at the office. I've not mentioned it before; it's not really relevant to the blog. His articles involve short interviews with villagers to discuss their musical tastes, asking for examples of songs they like and why that might be. He's rather efficient at it now and can pile up a number of articles that I can publish periodically. He says he quite enjoys it. There's the social aspect and it also helps as market research for his songwriting.

My three eldest children like to help out with small tasks for their daddy. Una, as previously indicated, goes way beyond that. She wants to be a top reporter and I think she will take over the family business one day.

So that's the current mob. And with the workload increasing, I can now introduce you yo my new gang.

o 0 O 0 o

I needed someone to handle the administrative tasks that I had traditionally addressed without assistance. Some of the necessary work was tedious but it was increasingly taking too much of my time. For a couple of weeks Edith Snow-Warren looked to be a candidate but that wasn't to be. She had missed much in the years she was absent from the village, and was spending time both at the library reading our archives and here at the office delving into the recent back issues, trying to catch up on events. She wasn't interested in being employed personally but her research prompted her to suggest someone she had met when reintroducing herself to the village. 

The Faraday sisters are well-educated twins and when they came to the village it was no surprise that one sister - Felicia - would become part of the school teaching staff. The other - Fenella - had not found her niche, spending most of her time in the library. It was there she met Edith and this led to her coming to meet me. Discovering what I needed, Fenella became interested and agreed to help.

She has proved to be a whizz at administration. That included the essential tasks I found both tedious and time consuming. And she likes doing them!

Calbert Porridge is the second new employee. He has always been interested both in electronics and in machinery but hadn't found the right place to utilise his skills. Since Newton Butterglove upgraded our print room a few years ago we have increased our output but it's fair to say none of the Mellowdene Examiner staff were techies. We were tinkering around the edges. Calbert, on the other paw, is technically brilliant and the print room now runs at optimal efficiency. 

That brings us to reporting. Harry Hawthorne remains our best reporter but he was also faced with doing some of the editing when I was pushed. As already mentioned, that role is now official. We are more organised now that Fenella is saving me time, but my analysis highlighted that we needed more reporters. Edmund Tailbury was engaged as another reporter and he's an astute investigator snd a good writer. 

In addition, my daughter Una has formally become an apprentice with the newspaper. This is part time because of her school work, but prior to this change she was like my other children Daniel and Helen - willing gophers but not deeply involved. Now, Una is shadowing Harry or Antonia Petite on their assignments.

The newbies settled in better than I could have hoped. They were happy to do their work over Christmas and Harry agreed to be on call as deputy editor - if needed. That meant - for the first time in many years - I could take a break from my family newspaper and actually dedicate all my time to my family.

o 0 O 0 o

So that's how it became possible for me to take a winter break. I gathered the family and made an announcement to that effect.

My wife Bridget said she'd have a break too, and that meant an adjustment to the proportion of household chores. Fair enough.

We didn't go away, limiting ourselves to day trips. My suggestion to take a vacation beyond the village was tactfully refused. Well, I say 'tactfully' but Bŕidget prefers clarity.

"I'll miss my programme," she said. I didn't need to ask which one. Of the television entertainment she enjoys, her 'programme' is a domestic drama series called 'Meece Tenders'. She is highly invested in the convoluted fictional lives of its characters and our home life is suspended whilst she avidly watches the show.

Outside the family, I again helped Spencer Maces organise the traditional Mouse Run. Together, we interview all the rodent families to determine availability and then Spencer does an amazing job with his tables of names, workflow diagrams, risk analyses and flexible alternatives. We then notify each family of the plans for the festive visits.  Even when more families are brought into the tradition, Spencer always delivers and, as with previous years, the event was a complete success.   

The children had a post-Christmas visit to Santa's Grotto.  For each of his "elves" (each semi-adopted into Mellowdene families) Lennox Murr-Grand invited their new siblings to see toys being made.

Bridget and I went out for a couple of meals - just the two of us. We arranged for my cousin Alonso to babysit our children. Una wasn't keen on the term "babysit" but when she was told there would be pizza she decided to live with the term.

None of this was exceptionally exciting but it definitely served its purpose. For me that was a break from work. Time with the family. When I eventually returned to the paper (two week's longer than originally planned) I was fully refreshed!

Watch out!

o 0 O 0 o

 

 

The Maple Town Express

 

Brendan had been helping me - to a fashion - singing along to a new composition that Chris Snow-Warren and I had been creating. We had been engaged to write a school song and Brendan was having fun altering the words. My boy's inventiveness was making me laugh and we must have sounded terrible. Not to everyone, though.

"I like that!"

 

We turned to see Hughie Grunt and Nolly Persis; Nolly had been jigging to the music. In fact he was still jigging and humming the tune after I'd stopped playing the piano.

Hughie nudged Nolly to stop.

"What?" said Nolly. "The words are funny."

The boys were expected. Brendan went to greet them.

"Hi, crits," he said. "Don't settle down. There's been a change of plan. We're playing at Lucky's house. He's got a new climbing frame in his garden."

"Should be good," said Hughie, giving Brendan a playful push. "I guess you have something in mind.'

 

"Oh!" said Brendan. "What's that smell, Hugh? A sort of spicy orange!"

Nolly laughed. "I told him he ponged."

Hughie closed his eyes. It was clear he'd had this conversation before. With a sigh he explained in a monotone.

"It's not a pong. It's supposed to be sophisticated."

At this, Nolly clamped a paw over his mouth, suppressing a guffaw. 

Hughie ignored this and carried on. "I've been visiting my Uncle Frey. He'd just finished washing after work and was putting on his eau de cologne..."

"Oaty clown," giggled Nolly.

"...as he likes to smell nice," Hughie continued, determined not to be distracted. "You see, Brendan, his job can get a bit stinky handling concentrated fireglass."

"On the train," nodded Brendan.

"Right. Anyway, my Uncle sprinkled a bit of his eau de cologne..."

"Oaty clown."

"...on my paw, as a joke."  

 

"Well, it does smell funny," said Brendan, winking at Nolly. "Anyway, come on. Let's make a move. Let Lucky sniff you and give him a laugh."

"You're rotten, you two," smiled Hughie.

"But you love us," said Brendan as he escorted his pals towards the door. "Bye, dad."

Alone at last, I pondered over the boys' conversation. Frey Grunt. An apt name, albeit coincidentally. Frey drives the Maple Town Express and is also responsible for controlling the fuel that powers the engine. Concentrated fireglass can get smelly when ignited. No wonder Frey is sensitive to the stench and wants to mask the odour with his cologne.

 

All of which reminds me. I've never mentioned the Maple Town Express before.

o 0 O 0 o

Yes, we do have a train that comes to Mellowdene. It's just that it hasn't come up in conversation before now. I've undoubtedly mentioned that we've got riverboats at our docks, a canal following the edge of the foothills, and roads that continue out of the county through woodland or across the river bridge. You can now add a railway line to that list.

The track was laid in order that Mellowdene could be connected to the Sylvanian Rail Network. This is run by a company that has its origins in Maple Town. They have major stations all over Sylvania and they call these hubs. The nearest hub to us is beyond the boundary of Mellowdene County and there was an agreement - some years ago - to run a single rail track from that hub into our county all the way to our train station, Lucerne Halt. There is a solitary train that uses the track - Maple Town Express Number Five - and after visiting the station it loops back to return along the same track.

The station is just outside the village and it is managed by Station Master Diesel Traynor. I've mentioned Dock Lane before; my home street of Dandelion Lane connects with it. Well, Dock Lane extends to the crossroads at the Village Circle. If you ignore the left turnoff towards the canal and the right turnoff that is Mellowdene High Street and continue straight on, the road changes its name to Lucerne Road. It is on this road you'll find Pickleweed's Pizza Emporium but stifle your appetite and carry on past the Mews and you will exit the village. Lucerne Road bends to the right and eventually joins up with County Road. En route you will find Lucerne Halt.

Although Lucerne Halt is the terminus for the Maple Town Express, there is another train stop within the county. This is shortly before the line pierces the woodland at our border. Sometimes our Cornflower relatives will seek an alternative to their pony and trap, walking to Greenwood Station and catching the "Number Five" to reach the village. It must be said that Greenwood Station is an exaggerated name - it merely comprises a small shelter besides the platform. 

Maple Town is rightly proud of the Sylvanian Rail Network and you'll often find representatives of the town will move to any place their railway reaches. We have some descendents of Maple Towners living here. Most live on a crescent called Mapleton Road. I wonder if the road builders had any association with the railroad construction? Merlin would probably know.   

It is a while since I travelled on the Maple Town Express. Given Hughie Grunt's family connection to the train I wonder how long it will be until Brendan wants to go on a railway journey?

o 0 O 0 o  

 

    

    

Halloween (3) The Return of Bink

We stared at the far wall of the extruded room. There was no sign of Bink, the small bear who called himself a Void Walker.

"Do you know how long this will take?" asked Chris after a few minutes had passed.

Morwenna sighed. "Unfortunately not. I could locate your mother quite quickly using my tags but Bincarano...nori...nari... er, Bink - he is moving within the Void and I don't know the rules there regarding time. He might have gone to report to the Order for all I know. I suspect we'll just have to wait. He's left his pathway open so he mustn't expect to be too long."

I assumed the "pathway", as Morwenna described it, was the area that marked the extension/extrusion of the Dark Room. It did look a little ominous, maybe to dissuade people from approaching the Void. It dissuaded me, anyway. It may have been my eyes but I thought I saw a huge face shimmering in the far wall. Perhaps my imagination was in overdrive.

Bink seemed to be an odd little chap. Friendly and garrulous in one sense but with an air of power that seemed to contradict his frankly cute appearance. He did seem to know what he was talking about and gave the impression we could be confident in his abilities.

A few more minutes passed. Morwenna whispered a few words then her shoulders slumped. "My tags have expired. We are wholly reliant on Bink..."

"Someone call my name?" echoed a voice and we looked into the depths of the pathway. Bink was materialising.

"Good of you to wait," said the small bear. "I decided not to visit the Order. Bureaucracy is tedious, is it not? Point being, you were right, Morwenna. The entity was indeed Living."

He reached behind him and grasped something, The something turned out to be a white paw and when Bink walked towards us, a white rabbit materialised in his wake.

"I present to you... Edith!" Bink announced in his official voice. "I do like that name."

"Mum!" Chris cried and he took a step forward.

"Steady," said Bink. "We don't want to lose you too. I'm bringing your mum to you."

Edith came forward unsteadily and took Chris's paws in hers - "Chris. My boy..." - and the inevitable hugs followed.

Bink beamed. "I thought I'd perform the honours. It isn't right that the Living should be trapped."

"Thank you, Bink," I said, Chris being occupied and Morwenna's attention being elsewhere. She was pointing at the pathway. There was an increasing purple red glow that had an ominous feel.

"Bink," she said, drawing his attention to the glow.

"Whoops," he said. "Gateway open too long. Have to dash."

With that, he ran down the pathway, dematerialised, and the far wall rushed towards us until the Dark Room resumed its original dimensions. 

Chris and Edith separated, faces all smiles until she froze and slowly turned.

"Where's Brucie?"

Glances were exchanged in horror. We had forgotten Chris's uncle. Was he still trapped?

o 0 O 0 o

Back in Morwenna's living room we discussed our options.

"The lantern will take three years to recharge before we can do another Summoning," Morwenna said.

"But Bink implied the lantern was faulty," I said. "Or needed servicing. Will it work again even after three years?"

"Why wasn't Uncle Bruce with you, mum?" asked Chris.

"He was trying to contact your dad," said Edith. "I'd tried but Bernie wasn't coping. As Brucie is his twin, he thought he might have more success. I figured I would have more success with you, my lovely son. You've always been sensitive."

"Dad never mentioned...," began Chris, "but maybe seeing you as a ghost was too much..."

"You may be right. But you didn't fail me, my love."

"I failed you," said Morwenna. "I should have explicitly said there were two of you. Bink brought you back, Eliza, but I didn't make him aware of your brother-in-law."

We were interrupted by the sound of a creaking floorboard outside the room.

"Will that be Herschel?" I asked. I thought that Morwenna had arranged for our Halloween activities to be undisturbed. 

"No," said Morwenna. "My boy is with my lodger Kurtis and they're staying overnight with my sister's family for a Halloween party."

"I thought I heard a creak outside..."

The door opened. "Ah, there you are."

It was Bink.

o 0 O 0 o

"I said I'd be back with a service manual for your lantern. All instructions inside. How to disassemble and reassemble it correctly. The Eldritch Words to properly clean each part. The most efficient way of recharging it. Four week optimum."

"Thank you," said Morwenna. "That's most kind. The reduced recharging time is most welcome. I will need to perform another Summoning as soon as I can."

"Oh, why?"

"I'm embarrassed to say that Edith here wasn't the only living person pulled into the Void..."

"Oh, you mean Brucie?" smiled Bink. "He's outside. Needs the loo, though."

"You brought him back?" said Chris.

"Two for one deal on Summonings this week," Bink said, performing an exaggerated wink. "Shall I show Brucie through on my way out?"

o 0 O 0 o

It had been the most extraordinary Halloween I'd ever spent. 

The return of Edith and Bruce Snow-Warren was a surprise to the community and I won't go into the reasons they gave explaining their sudden disappearance. It was a carefully crafted explanation as Mellowdenians accepted it without question. 

Edith was introduced to her many grandchildren. She's recovered now!   

Bernard and Edith went house hunting and finding somewhere, their belongings were taken out of storage. Brucie took Bernard's place in the cottage behind Chris's home.

Suffice to say, we didn't share details of Morwenna's talents widely. Edith and Chris took adult members of their family into their confidence and I told Cecile of course. As a consequence of our discussions, Cecile decided that Morwenna seemed a little too isolated and began to visit her socially.

This Halloween was, by comparison, quite boring. I can live with that. No weird little bears to bend one's mind, no exile to Limbo, no ghosts... Just kids dressed up as monsters and telling ghost stories that cannot compare to the real thing. Happily. 

o 0 O 0 o