Moonflowers

A phone call from my chum and working partner Chris Snow-Warren prompted me to move my bones and call around to his house for a chat. He'd said he'd been contacted by the famous baritone Corbert Mulligan with regard to us writing him a new song. This was the first time we'd heard anything from Corbert personally, although we'd heard he'd expressed an interest in our work for the musical last year. We'd all but discarded any thoughts of work from that quarter, but now? I was interested in what additional details Chris could supply.

When I arrived at his home he already had a visitor, and his daughters had just ushered this visitor into another room. Chris called after them.

"Susan and Hope will deal with you, Lincoln. Maybe when my business meeting's over we can chat further," he said and I thought I detected an air of relief in his expression.

"Lincoln. Your nephew?" I queried.

"Yes," Chris sighed, "my nephew."

"Ah. Problem?"

My friend's face relaxed into a sort of grin. "Not really. But sometimes the lad's enthusiasm can be a touch... wearing."

"I see. And what is he enthusiastic about this time?"

"His grandparents have agreed to supplement his pocket money if he helps in their shop."

"Moonflowers?"

"Yeah. Bianca's allowed him to work in the stock room, limited to an afternoon at weekends. Trouble is, he's independently taken it upon himself to seek out new stock."

"He's on commission?"

"Don't think so. I think he just wants to impress his grandparents, and as we're family, we're early on his list for potential donations."

"Ah."

Perhaps some explanation is in order.

o 0 O 0 o

I've introduced you to two of Chris's siblings in previous tales. His elder brother Clarence was my schoolmate and it was through him Chris and I met - the little brother who has a gift with words. A second brother Nigel lives in an apartment attached to Chris's house and he shares this with his daughter Lisa. You may remember he is romantically attached to Tara Lapine-Frost, and she's staying with them whilst she recuperates from a leg injury.

I haven't mentioned that Chris also has a sister Bianca. She married Thomas Moonflower, son of Carlos and Naomi Moonflower, and they have one son - the aforementioned Lincoln.

Carlos and Naomi run the shop that takes their name - Moonflowers - and it is a remarkable place. It is a 'used goods' store. Maybe you have similar places in your human world. Maybe not. I'll tell you where it is and endeavour to explain its purpose.

Before one reaches Mellowdene High Street there is a small cul-de-sac that runs towards a patch of woodland. It is called Emerald Leaf Lane. There are a few small shops down there but we are interested in one particular establishment. Moonflowers. From the lane it looks no bigger than the other small shops, but that is deceptive. It is deep and widens out beyond its neighbours.

If you enter, you will find the customer-facing area. There is a shop counter, often staffed by Naomi but other family members share the role. There are shelves, rails and boxes of assorted goods, vaguely organised into categories but regularly circulated. This allows a visitor to learn roughly where to look on subsequent visits, but there's always an air of "what shall I find today?"

The term 'used goods' is appropriate because you won't find brand new products here. The philosophy behind Moonflowers is, "if you don't need something any more, then someone might." Sylvanians don't like to throw items away, abhoring waste. Rather than discard an unwanted item, we like to extend its life as much as possible. Moonflowers provides that service.

If an item is damaged beyond repair, then it is passed on to the Mice & Clean company where the raw materials are recycled. However, sometimes an item can be repaired or refurbished. Some may need specialist attention, and Carlos Moonflower has contacts should this be the way to go. If such expert intervention is unnecessary then the item will be taken to the second area of Moonflowers - the repair shop. Carlos and Thomas do a lot of the work in here, crafting and fixing damaged items until they are suitable for selling on.

 

On the question of cost, Moonflowers don't like to charge too much, probably reflecting that their stock is maintained through donations.  They will charge enough for the family to make a living, provide resources to run the shop, and maybe save a little money for unexpected expenses. I'm aware that they also donate some goods to needy villagers. Of course, no Sylvanian likes to think of anyone being needy.

There is a further area of Moonflowers - the largest area out at the back - the stock room used for storage. It is effectively a warehouse and the goods inside are extensive. I suspect there are items within there that most Mellowdenians would not believe still existed. Some villagers joke that one could get lost in there! I understand that there is a host of objects that never makes their way to the front of the shop, but reputedly Carlos has a thick book that holds a detailed inventory.

Yes, it's a marvellous place. And now young Lincoln Moonflower wants to make his contribution.

o 0 O 0 o

I doubt Bianca would condone the fact that Lincoln is out searching - perhaps pestering - for extra stock, but one has to admire his diligence. I said as much to Chris.

"Admire?" he said. "Not the word I'd use. I might have a word with Bianca."

"Is he that persistent?"

Chris raised his brows then attempted to mimic the lad.

"Do you need that table, Uncle Chris? Dad can touch up the varnish. You need it? Are you sure? Okay. What about that vase? That bookshelf? No? Some of the books then? Those you've read? Uncle Chris? Aw, that's a shame. Oh! I know. The pram. It will help Connor to walk if he isn't lazing in that pram..."

 

I laughed. "Is he really that bad?"

"Well maybe I'm exaggerating a bit. Only a bit though. I know it's early days and his over enthusiasm is probably due to that. With Susan and Hope giving me a little respite maybe I can think of something to give the lad."

The door opened and the two girls entered without Lincoln.

Chris looked at them. "Susan? Hope? Where's your cousin?"

Hope smiled innocently at her father. "Gone, Daddy."

"I thought you were just keeping him occupied whilst I chatted with Uncle Jack?"

"He was a pain, Dad," said Susan. "He was going through our dolls, and for each one he was asking if we really needed them."

"It's true, Daddy," said Hope.

"And then he opened a wardrobe and started pointing at our dresses," said Susan.

"It's true, Daddy," said Hope.

"I shut the wardrobe but he hadn't done. He pulled out our toy box and was about to ask about each one inside."

"It's true, Daddy," said Hope. "and I saw that Susan might get angry."

Chris glanced at me before returning attention to his daughters. "So what did you do, Hope? I take it you did something."

"Of course I did, Daddy. I love Susan. I don't want her angry."

"What did you do?" repeated Chris.

"Well, I told Link that there was something in the garden that he could take."

"What was that?"

"That's what he asked, Daddy, so I told him that I could show him better if he went outside."

"And?"

"He went outside, looked around and said 'Okay, Hope - what can I take?'"

 

Chris gestured for her to continue.

Hope smiled sweetly. "I said 'The air' and then I shut the door."

o 0 O 0 o

Perhaps I shouldn't have laughed. But I did. Then Chris did. The girls did, of course. Apparently Lincoln realised he'd gone too far by delving into the girls' toy box and he left without further comment.

"Bianca will see the funny side," said Chris. "I'll definitely have to have a word with her now."

It was a while before I remembered the reason I'd called. I didn't learn much more about Corbert Mulligan and his requirements than I had in the phone call. That didn't mean it was a wasted journey, though.

If nothing else it was an opportunity to take the air. 

 o 0 O 0 o

(Thank you to Sylvanako for the use of his map of Sylvania on the wall of Moonflowers)