Dandelion Babies

I am very lucky to have a large loving family. Two brothers and three cousins with their spouses and children supplement my immediate family, and the recent return of my brother-in-law and his unexpected brood will undoubtedly add to our happy tribe - once young Figwort and Aster get used to us all. They were a little uncertain when they met Brendan and Beverley, and the number of other children and babies in our clan are bound to overwhelm them at first.

Of course, although I refer to us collectively as Buttergloves, there are other surnames I should mention, linked to us by marriage. You will already be aware that my darling wife was born Cecile Ivory. My brother Merlin and my cousin Samantha both married sibling Dandelions. My cousin Jonathan and the sister-in-law of my other brother Newton both married Cornflowers. I know. It can get a bit involved! The point is, we all get on incredibly well and I am thankful to be part of their lives.



A Butterglove Garden Party

You may be wondering why I am telling you this. It is because I want to draw attention to a wonderful lady who shares our household. When Merlin married Eliza Dandelion, our family gained a warm generous bunny who contributes so much to us. She is practically a sister to Cecile who will agree that she has become a second mum to our children.

Eliza doesn't mind me telling you that Beverley, Brendan and Russell help to fill a gap in her life because she can't have children of her own.

She discovered this two years into her marriage, when Cecile and I were still courting. It came as a blow as she had so much love to give. I believe it was Rowan who came up with a possible solution that led to old Artimus McCavity turning up on our doorstep with an intriguing bundle.

Artimus McCavity was one of the hill cats who lived in one of the cottages north-east of Mellowdene. Even before Lawrence Seabreeze took an active part in the canal refurbishment, canal boats still provided an essential link to the cat families and beyond, and Artimus owned a canal boat that brought fresh water fish to be sold in the village store. Eliza used to work part-time for Rocky Babblebrook in the store, so she knew Artimus. It was she that the grizzled old cat had come to see.

"Hello, 'liza," he said. "I is hopin' you can give us some advice about this here little 'un."

From the bundle he folded back the cloth to reveal a new baby. However, it wasn't a rabbit, beaver or any other baby from the many races of Sylvanian crittizens. It was a tiny Sylvanian Mountain Hog.

"It's an orphan hoglet that me grandson found," said Artimus. "It's too young to manage on its own, so I wondered if you might know o' someone..."

A tiny snout slowly extended towards Eliza. Its end was shaped like a small heart and the minute nostrils opened and closed with the sound of blown kisses.

"Oh, he's adorable," cooed Eliza, reaching out towards the innocent eyes of the baby hog. Merlin appeared behind her.

"Oh, hello Mister Merlin," said Artimus. "I hear you knows a bit about animals. What does you think?"

Merlin didn't really know that much more about animals than any other regular Sylvanian, but he did know his wife and could see her reaction to the baby animal. Still, there were questions to be asked. Questions such as: what do Sylvanian Mountain Hogs eat? What about baby ones? What do they need to thrive?

Artimus chewed on the inside of his lip before replying.

"Vegetable peelings. Fruit leftovers. Cut up small to start with, but there'll be no need after a couple of months. Somewhere soft and sheltered to sleep. But most of all they'll need love. Cuddles. They is affectionate and loyal to their families I hear."

When Merlin saw Eliza's wide eyes he knew that the hoglet would become part of their family.

"We could call him Snorker Butterglove," suggested Eliza, taking the bundle into her arms. In response, a series of quick kissing noises emerged.

Merlin burst out in laughter. "All that kissing, perhaps we should name him after your brother Denzel."

"I like that," giggled Eliza, " but Denzel Butterglove? That wouldn't do - it could get confusing. How about Snorker Dandelion?"

And that's how Snorker became an addition to the household and the first "new baby" in the family since cousin Jonathan was born some years ago. True to Artimus's words - the little hog was loyal and affectionate, and Eliza was happy.

o 0 O 0 o

As time progressed Snorker was supplemented by our three children and the gap in her life became even less noticeable.

That gap narrowed further when my cousin Samantha (now Denzel's wife, you will recall) unexpectedly had quads.

Four new babies came as a shock to Denzel and Samantha, and they had the additional concern that their elder daughter Lena might feel neglected because of the attention the newborns would require. Cousin Bobbie was on hand to help, but it was Eliza who stepped in to make things manageable.

The babies are older now, but they present new challenges. Not the least of which is their uncanny mobility. If there was to be a Sylvanian Olympic event for a crawling relay, then Lupin, Larkspur, Lavender and Lobelia would take the gold medal.

Samantha has told me about one particular occasion involving the quads.

o 0 O 0 o

One sunny day Denzel Dandelion responded to a knock at his front door and was faced with a smiling bear wearing an enormously brimmed brown hat.

 

"Henry," said Denzel, "good to see you. Sam didn't say - were we expecting you?"

"Hello, Denzel," said Henry Bearbury, "and no - it's not an official call. I was just in the area and I thought I'd visit some of the more recent Mellowdene arrivals. See how things are."

"You're always welcome, Henry. Come in."

 

Henry entered the house, removing his hat.

Samantha had just completed a batch of  washing and was about to sit down when Denzel brought Henry into the room. She smiled at the visitor. "Hello, Doctor," she said.

"Doctor? How long have we known each other?"

She smiled again, crinkling her tired eyes as both she and Henry sat down. "Sorry, Henry. What can we do for you?"

"I was wondering if you'd decided to dump this Dandelion chap and run away with me to the seaside."

"Oy!" said Denzel, laughing.

Henry's solemn expression dissolved into a good-natured grin. "I've been visiting the Hamiltons to do a quick check-up on young Georgie." He noticed Samantha raise her brows. "He's doing well. I recommended that he continues to protect himself from direct sun for the time being, but all looks well."

Denzel interrupted. "Huckleberry was saying how grateful they are to you. They had resigned themselves to losing him..."

"Old news, Denzel. I'm glad I had the knowledge to help." He cleared his throat. "Anyway - as I was leaving, I thought that it would be a good opportunity to call here and see how you're all doing. How are you coping with the four bunnies of the apocalypse?"

Samantha chuckled. "They are a lot of work. But worth it, Henry."

Denzel moved to Samantha's side and rubbed her shoulder.

"There's plenty of family support, Henry. Sam's sister Bobbie is only a couple of rooms away. And you know my sister Eliza lives nearby; she is always happy to give Sam a rest."

"That's good to know. Eliza's a good woman." Henry inclined his head towards the doorway. "And how is your Lena managing with four new brothers and sisters?"

"She is marvelous, Henry," said Samantha. "I was worried that she might feel a little neglected, but she's starting to act like a little mother herself."

"We give her lots of love," said Denzel. "I had to laugh the other day. She was trying to persuade her cousin Biddie to help her change some nappies. Biddie wasn't having any of it. 'No,' she said, 'the Hazelwoods run a perfectly good business that handles mucky jobs.' She wanted to telephone Mice & Clean to get a job quotation!"

The three of them laughed. Henry relaxed in his chair. "So how are the quads? I know they're not due their next examination for a couple of weeks, but I have a soft spot for them. It's not often I get to help deliver four babies."

Samantha nodded. "They're crawling."

"Really? Such tiny dots?"

"They're crawling fast. I don't know how they manage to shift themselves so quickly when they're on all fours."

"I had to make them a cage," said Denzel.

"What?" Henry's laughter was uncertain.

"That's what I call it. It's a sort of holding area to restrict their crawling to a part of the nursery."

"We had to do something," explained Samantha. "They'd all set off in different directions at speed. Trying to catch them was exhausting. Not to mention a worry."

"And I can move the cage in sections, so we can move the quads from room to room as needed," added Denzel.

"Uhuh," nodded Samantha. "It's made things a little easier. They're in it now, in the nursery."

"Would you like to see it, Henry?" asked Denzel, eager to show off his handiwork.

Henry was quiet. He raised his arm and pointed to the open doorway.

"I think I just saw a fast-crawling baby."

 o 0 O 0 o

Rushing into the hallway it was confirmed. It was a baby. Lobelia gurgled as Denzel scooped her up.

"How on earth did she get here?" Samantha hissed, "AND down the stairs!"

Henry forestalled any heated discussion. "Hadn't we better check on the others?"

Samantha sprinted up the staircase and there was a strangled groan when she reached the nursery. When Denzel and Henry reached her side they looked into 'the cage'. It was empty.

Cushions had been pushed up to the side of the structure and a blanket hung down the other side. It appeared the quads were more than rapid crawlers. They'd managed an effective escape plan.

Henry pushed his palm up over his forehead. "If they could achieve this, then I think it likely they could figure out getting down the stairs safely."

"But where are they?" sobbed Samantha.

Denzel handed Lobelia to his wife. "Look after Billie. Henry and I will find the others."

o 0 O 0 o

Larkspur and Lavender were found snuggling under a pile of washing.

There was plenty of giggling once they saw their daddy. Lupin wasn't anywhere near them. So where was he? Surely he couldn't have found a way out of the house? After half an hour, the decision was made to seek extra help.

Barely five minutes later, Eliza Butterglove arrived at the house with the necessary help. Snorker.

Snorker was, by this time, a mature hog in his prime. However, despite being as affectionate a creature as ever, he greeted Samantha and Denzel in a subdued manner, as if sensing something was wrong. When offered some of Lupin's clothes to smell, Snorker understood what was required.

Starting in the nursery he sniffed around the cushions and led Eliza out of the nursery, down the staircase and into the hallway.

He stopped by the front porch where Henry Bearbury had left his hat.

Henry carefully rotated his hat so that they could see inside. Curled up, fast asleep, was Lupin Dandelion.

Denzel reached for the last of his errant babies and lifted him into his arms.

"I think he needs changing," sniffed Denzel.

He glanced at Henry Bearbury. "And we'll pay for your hat to be cleaned."

Snorker blew a sequence of kisses, and the tension dissipated.

Samantha sighed. "How do we stop this happening again, Den?"

 

Denzel had started singing softly to the sleeping Lupin, but became silent at the question. A smile crept over his face.

"The cage needs a roof."

o 0 O 0 o

Rowan's Return

The unexpected visit by my brother-in-law Rowan Ivory made Cecile's day. Her eyes seemed brighter and laughter bubbled more readily. That sounds as if she is normally a misery, so I had better qualify my remarks in case she or one of her friends reads this (Editor's note: Not an issue from my end. DF). No-one could call Cecile a misery; her smiles lift my heart daily. But Rowan's return had highlighted an elation in her that was wonderful to see. For that reason, I avoided querying Rowan's intentions. I figured Cecile wouldn't want to think of her brother leaving again.

When he left Mellowdene shortly after my marriage, he sent us occasional updates about his travelling. Brief stops as they were, we knew he had passed through communities following the coast anticlockwise, occasionally venturing a short way inland.

We had letters from Sweet Berry Valley, Arcfield, Mystique Valley (when he briefly visited the neighbouring Island of Atlandia) and Foxfire Fells, and then the communication became less frequent. The last letter was from Greenbearshire when he said he was circling Cape Holt and planning on a longer trek inland.

It was around this time Cecile replied to his last known address to inform him that he was now an uncle to an as yet unnamed baby girl, but there was no acknowledgement. We heard nothing until he turned up on our doorstep.

Now, upon his return, Rowan had mentioned a number of places he had been but I noticed the details had been scant. Reflecting upon it later, I wondered if he was hiding something. I didn't pursue the suspicion for a similar reason to that mentioned earlier about his intentions. I didn't want to rock the boat whilst Cecile was so happy, so we lived for the moment. It was like the time before we were married, with Rowan gently teasing his sister, banter filling the room, only this time the children could witness their mother's delight.

Rowan was staying in a spare room, disappearing sporadically for a few hours at a time - to rediscover his home village, we assumed. At least that was what Cecile guessed.

"He's probably re-acquainting himself with his old haunts," she said, bustling about in the pantry.

She emerged with a smile. "I think we should arrange an informal lunch with some old friends. Let Rowan see what he's been missing."

Cecile contacted Marion Brighteyes and together they planned to use the Blackcurrant Café outside opening hours. They had a pleasant time considering past associates of Burdock Rowan Ivory, and at the end they decided to invite Tanner Blackberry, Charlie Furbanks plus Hector and Christabel Corntop. At first, I thought I wasn't going to be invited, but with a sly smile Cecile mentioned me before I could query the omission. As my pal Chris Snow-Warren had been my best man, I ensured he crept on the list too.

o 0 O 0 o

When the meet up occurred, it was close to teatime. Marion had prepared some tasty sandwiches for the invitees who had all happily accepted.

Conversation was animated and the reminiscences were frequently accompanied by easy laughter. In a calmer moment, Charlie Furbanks gently punched Rowan in the arm

"So, Rowan," he said with a smile, "how long will we have the pleasure of your company?"

Cecile had been nattering away with Marion but Charlie's question silenced her. When I looked over at her, the concern in her eyes was clear. Her laugh was a little false as she interrupted any response from Rowan.

"Come on now, Charlie," she said, "don't frighten him off! He's only just arrived."

"It's a fair point," said Rowan. "It isn't right that I should stay with you too long. You've got your own routines..."

"We love having you, don't we, Jack? said Cecile, unblinking eyes pinning me to my chair. I had to stop myself grinning at her determined attitude.

"Always a pleasure, Rowan. Especially since you've apparently stopped singing that tuneless alpaca folk music."

"Jackson..." Cecile's low voice was a warning.

"No, we don't mind," I said, "and Merlin and Eliza seem happy to have you in their spare room." I looked at Cecile. "It's their part of the house, Cessie."

"I know what Rowan means," said Charlie Furbanks. "I live with my brother's family, and if I ever dare to mention that I am taking up space when they have a growing brood, they beat me down. Still... I sometimes feel I am an imposition."

Christabel Corntop tapped the back of his paw. "Emma has told me many times that they couldn't do without your help about the house - that they're grateful to have you. And the children love you."

Charlie seemed to redden slightly beneath his fur, but I could see that he was touched at the remark.

"Charlie's right, though," said Rowan. "I'll have to move out soon - if only for my self esteem."

"Then we need to find you a house," said Cecile, taking the change of direction in her stride, nodding her head with determination.

"Seriously, Cess?" Rowan said, looking earnestly at his sister, "Who would want to live next to an itinerant rabbit? In and out of the house all year long?"

"It would be nice and quiet for them all the times he wasn't there," said Tanner with a wink.

"Don't listen to him, Rowan," said Cecile, frowning at the smiling Blackberry rabbit, "Anyone would love you as a new neighbour."

Charlie leaned forward. "One of the cottages in Bluebell Row has become empty, I hear. You remember, Rowan? The cottages near the village green, at the edge of the wooded area?

"It's not empty any more, Charlie," said Hector Corntop. "The Hawthornes have moved in. They downsized from Copper Beech cottage."

"That's right," said Christabel, "and there's a new family moving into their old place sometime this week. According to Mabel Periwinkle."

"She would know," said Tanner, nudging Chris Snow-Warren.

I had an idea. "What about taking rooms at Minestrone House? They have some free apartments."

"Aren't they just for those who work at the hospital?" asked Rowan.

"Not for a few years," I replied. "The doctors still live there, but there are more rooms now that Henry Bearbury opened it up for other residents."

"Ashley Maces and his daughter live there," added Chris, "and Captain Seadog 's crew maintain some quarters there.

"Ah yes. When Horatio was bringing me to Mellowdene, I asked his First Mate whether he used the boarding house but he said he had more permanent rooms." Rowan nodded to himself then looked ahead, eyes unfocused as if he was in deep thought. "Actually, that would be a better option. Bassett's Boarding House will do for temporary accommodation."

Cecile's face fell. It seemed her brother wasn't planning on staying too long in the village.

o 0 O 0 o

Two days later, whilst Rowan was packing his case, Cecile seemed deflated.

"Do you think you'll ever settle down?" she said in a small voice.

"One day."

"If you met the right girl, would that help?"

"If you're thinking of matchmaking, Cess, don't. And don't deny that was on your mind," he smiled. "Truth is, I met the right girl years ago. No-one will ever match my Angelica."

"Oh, Rowan. What happened to her?"

"I'll tell you some time. Soon, I promise. For now, I'll say she's in a better place."

As Cecile bowed her head, he continued, "I don't want you to be sad for me, Cess. Believe me, I'm happy in my life."

Nodding, she followed him out of the room and they passed me where I was waiting outside his door. Brendan and Beverley were waiting downstairs. Over the past week they had warmed to their new uncle and they had asked to come along when he moved to his new home. I agreed,  grateful that they could help distract Cecile. As we didn't know how long we'd be, we'd borrowed a pushchair for Russell in case he got tired.

Walking down our street, we were a little confused when we reached the corner and Rowan turned and walked in the opposite direction to the river and Bassett's Boarding House.

"Where's he going, daddy?" asked Beverley.

"I don't know, pudding," I said.

Cecile redirected the pushchair and caught us up. "Jackson, can you take Russell?" she said, and I took control of the pushchair.

Brendan ran to keep up with his mum as she hurried to Rowan's side.

I heard her exchange a few words with her brother and then she halted whilst he continued walking.

When we reached her, she turned to us.

"Did you hear that? 'He wants to meet the new neighbours'. Sometimes he can be so..."

"Unpredictable? Infuriating? Juvenile?"

"So... Rowan." She laughed. "Come on. Let's meet the neighbours."

o 0 O 0 o

Approaching Copper Beech cottage I saw someone in the garden. It was a rabbit in a russet dress and when Rowan reached her, they embraced. Lovingly.

They separated as we arrived, but I noticed that their hands continued to stray close to each other.

Rowan smiled widely. "Angelica, I'd like you to meet my sister Cecile. And this is her husband Jackson, my lovely niece Beverley and my favourite nephews Brendan and Russell."

Cecile, normally so calm, was more flustered than I'd ever seen her. Rowan was enjoying the effect his words were having. He continued. "And Cecile, this is my gorgeous wife Angelica."

"Wait a minute. You're married? And didn't you say that she was 'in a better place'?"

"Why, she is. Wouldn't you agree that Mellowdene is the best place?"

Angelica came to Cecile and hugged her. "I'm sorry, Cecile. Sometimes his teasing can go a bit far. I know he wanted to surprise you but..."

She stopped as Cecile was juddering. Holding her at arm's length Angelica looked at my wife with concern. We probably realised at the same time that Cecile was silently laughing. And then the laughter became louder. Much louder. Rowan was laughing too. Brendan and Beverley joined in, not really knowing why. It was infectious and both Angelica and I added to the chorus.

I'm certain passers by must have wondered about the big joke. I caught sight of Nancy and Misty Waters walking along, smiling at us. But eventually we calmed down. All except Brendan who had started with hiccups.

Cecile gulped down some air so that she could speak again. "And so you've moved into Copper Beech cottage? Does this mean you're staying?"

Rowan nodded. "For the foreseeable future. It really is good to be back, little sister."

Cecile smiled, closing her eyes. "You don't know how happy that makes me." But then her eyes snapped open. "But there had better not be any more surprises, you toad."

As if on cue, two young rabbits ran around the side of the cottage, squealing as they enjoyed some sort of game. They stopped when they saw us, regarding Brendan and Beverley warily.

"Just two, Cess," smiled Rowan. "Meet Aster and Figwort, our children."

Cecile had no words. The only sound was Brendan.

"Hic".

o 0 O 0 o