The Talent Show

In the days following Christmas, brother Merlin and I went for a walk, enjoying the brisk air for a while before nipping into the dock snack bar. We fancied a drink of their spiced blackcurrant tisane.

Amos Seadog was there, about to leave having delivered some provisions to Fenton Barker in the kitchen.

"Hello, gents," he said in his jovial voice. "Good to see you back, Jackson. Nice timing - avoiding Ramsey. He was in a bit of a tizz for a while."

With a nod, he left and I turned to Merlin. He was examining the dregs of his tisane when he realised I was watching him.

"What?" he said, "Oh, you mean Ramsey Nettlefield? He came to look for you whilst you were away. To see if you'd organise the talent show."

"What talent show?"

"Oh, it's an idea he had to resurrect any good cheer that was lagging once Christmas celebrations were over. It was daft. I told him he was being too optimistic in his expectations. He wanted a big event but hadn't thought it through. People were busy preparing for Christmas and wouldn't have sufficient time."

"You told the mayor he was daft?"

Merlin laughed. "I was tactful. He has good ideas, but you know he can get carried away if not reigned in. Look at the last Melting."  [See A Fete Worse Than... Unless for details.]

I had to agree. Poor Alex Periwinkle had been in a sad state after Ramsey's changes of plans had caused him unnecessary work. Twice. If Merlin had forestalled a repeat of that minor fiasco, all well and good.

"No talent show then?" I prompted.

Shaking his head, my brother took a spoon, scraped the edge of his cup and licked it. "Not to the same degree. It'll be scaled down to only include children. There's been a suggestion to the school."

"Not to Alex Periwinkle?"

"No. I remembered what you said and phoned to warn him. He conveniently found other
jobs that he needed to do."

 

"So, who?"

"I believe it will be a joint effort by Hilda Hamilton, Eve Wildwood and Angelica. And it will only be a minor alteration of their existing plans. Some of the children's arty projects will feature, but instead of it being in their classrooms, they'll use the village hall and they'll have a small audience. They have already erected a temporary stage, I've been told."

"Really?"

"I was chatting to Hilda at the library and she told me the pupils have been asked to give it some thought over Christmas - whether they would be happy to tweak something they had done and demonstrate it before an audience."

I thought about my two. Beverley wouldn't be concerned whether or not she'd be included. I could imagine Brendan performing something - but I'd have no idea what that would be. However, he'd missed three weeks of schooling and that might be a reason for excluding him. Whilst that would be fair, I wondered if my boy would see it that way.

I mentioned this but Merlin merely shrugged, an apologetic smile on his face.

o 0 O 0 o

The show was upon us. 

Everyone waited patiently until Eve Wildwood introduced the first act.

There we were, in the audience, watching as a selected few children from the school demonstrated a range of talents with a variety of acts. And it was a variety. Brendan was with us, and he didn't seem too sad at being excluded. He responded well to the various participants. I was quite proud of his grown-up attitude.

Britney Honeydew entertained us by dancing with an extract of the ballet The Faerie Wood.

Lester Waters tried to mystify us with a series of magic tricks. I think most of us knew how he did them, but he performed them well and accompanied his actions with comic dialogue. He seemed happy at the laughter his act causes.

Gregory Cheshire and Carlotta Bassett acted a scene from The Prince and the Pup Paws.

Either side of this performance we had songs from Clarice Bamboo and Nikko Kitsune.

When Eve Wildwood introduced the final act before the interval she said it was a scene from a mini-play written and acted by a group of the children she taught. I missed the title because Brendan leaned back and whispered to me, "I could have been in this but it didn't seem fair on those who'd practised all the acty stuff."

I smiled in acknowledgement and returned my attention to the performance area.

Nolly Persis and Hughie Grunt walked forward, each dressed in their normal clothes. My eyes widened when I saw they were accompanied by Lucky Snow-Warren, and whilst his clothes were not his own, they were familiar.

I heard Brendan. "He's doing me, dad."

What followed was a section of Brendan's story, What I Did Over the Weekend* and his friends simulated their peril at the underground river beneath Van Dyke's Waterworks. I wondered how they'd simulate Michael the Sea Serpent. But they did. 

Some children appeared wearing a weird costume. I'd no idea what it was originally supposed to represent.

Merlin tapped me on the shoulder. "It's Orton and Sherman in their Beastie Hunt* costume."

Of course it was.

* Detailed in earlier stories

o 0 O 0 o

The second half of the talent show was entertaining but I didn't really take it all in. I was touched that Brendan's friends had realised that, as it was unlikely he could personally participate in the talent show, they'd do it on his behalf.

I realised that, at the snack bar, Merlin's smile hadn't been an apologetic one. It had been a knowing one. He'd known about Orton's part in the talent show and decided to keep the children's plan a secret from me. Brendan had been told, of course, which accounted for his laid-back acceptance of remaining an audience member. I watched him as he continued to enjoy the activities of the other school children.

 At the end of the show, he turned to me. "Well, dad. What did you think?"

I considered what response he'd like to hear. I think I was inspired.

"Hmm. If they need a new theme for the next Flash Gopher TV serial, then maybe you should write "Flash Gopher and the Serpent of Mellowdene."

He grinned. "Maybe I should."

o 0 O 0 o

December Festivities

Three weeks away from Mellowdene and we'd had a wonderful time. Coltsfoot and Celandine Ivory had made us welcome at their home and with our strong friendship it was as if we'd never been apart.

I'd always got on with Colt. When he first came to Mellowdene, he gave Cecile some red faces by revealing things about her childhood that she'd purposely kept quiet. All done in fun, of course, and - when Cecile realised these little revelations only made me love her more - it brought us all closer together.

The mild rivalry between Beverley and Colt's daughter Anise was a thing of the past, and it was lovely seeing them whisper to each other, giggling like they were much younger little girls.

Brendan had grown a little since he'd last seen Chervil, so the nickname 'Squirt' no longer seemed appropriate. That didn't stop the good-natured banter between them.

Even our tinies seemed happy in each other's company. Maybe not as much incomprehensible jabbering as when Russell played with Nugget, but there were sufficient happy noises shared with Honeysuckle to demonstrate their contentment.

Despite all this, once our holiday reached its end, I was looking forward to going back home.

Once we left the temperate zone of the calm strip, it was clear winter was upon us. The journey was uneventful, and thanks to the internal car heating, we were protected from the colder temperature outside.

It was late afternoon when we arrived back in Mellowdene. Thankfully the village had escaped the snow. We turned off Dandelion Lane onto the track running down the side of Butterglove House - the one that led to The Field separating us from my cousins' house. 

Soon after leaving the car, it soon became clear that we had been seen.

Orton's voice rang out. "They're back!"

o 0 O 0 o

Reaching the side gate we looked through the high hedgerow to see Orton - who had been joined by Merlin and Eliza - standing outside Butterglove House. There we witnessed part of the winter preparations we had missed. Christmas lights. The December festivities had begun.

Orton waved wildly at us and Brendan responded in kind. As we walked to the welcoming committee everyone was smiling and it felt so good to greet each other.

We separated and I heard Orton address Merlin in a loud whisper. "Are you sure I can't tell them yet?"

Merlin smiled, patting the eager lad's head in affection. "Let them settle. There's no rush. We told you that you can break the news. I'll tell you when. For now, let's just help them with their luggage."

Catching Merlin's attention I mouthed, "What?", but he merely grinned, nodded towards Orton, then mouthed back, "Later."

o 0 O 0 o

 

My brother had prepared some finger food to satisfy any hunger we might have had from our journey. Comfortably full, we had put Russell to bed and were relaxing in their living room when we learned the news that Orton was bursting to tell us.

"Uncle Jack. You've been on TV!"

Cecile showed mild surprise. Brendan and Beverley looked at each other. I tilted my head and adopted a gentle tone of voice.

"I think I'd know if I'd been filmed, Orty."

"He means that you were being discussed, Jack."

Orton's head snapped around to look at Merlin. "Aw, Uncle. I'm telling."

Merlin laughed. "So you are. But tell them the full story."

"Sorry, Unky. I will." He turned back to me. "I was at Lucky's telly party last week. We were waiting for our programme and an interview came on with that famous singer Corbert Mulligan. You know the one? He was interested in being in your musical because you and Mister Chris did it."

Corbert Mulligan is famous. His rich tones make this bear probably the best-loved baritone singer in Sylvania. Orton wasn't quite right about it being "my musical" but I knew what he'd meant - Chris Snow-Warren and I had written the songs. What confused me was how Corbert had come to hear these songs. My involvement wasn't a public matter. Auditions don't start until next year.

Orton continued. "He said he'd liked the songs you did on Lionel Grand's record and was thinking of doing his version of one. After talking with Mister Grand he heard about the musical and went to see the... is producer the right word?"

I nodded. "Grant Foxworth. The producer is Grant Foxworth."

"Well, Corbert Mulligan really liked your songs and things moved on from there."

I scratched my ear. "Grant gave him a preview?"

Merlin spoke up. "Apparently. I suppose he couldn't pass on the potential of free publicity. Go on, Orton."

"Yes. Well, in the interview, both you and Mister Chris were mentioned a lot. They played a bit from Mister Grand's record and even mentioned your toothpaste jingle."

Brendan laughed. "You're famous, dad! Wish I'd seen it."

I mused.

"What's wrong, Jack?" said Cecile.

"I'm trying to imagine Corbert Mulligan singing my music."

"And?"

"If he goes for the role of Anton the Woodsman, I think I'll need to change the key of a couple of songs to better fit his voice range."

She rolled her eyes. "I don't know, Jack. What are you like? You hear something like this..."

Orton looked concerned. "Is it not good news, then?"

I looked at the earnest expression on the young rabbit who'd effectively become my nephew. I smiled.

"It is good news, Orton. Brilliant news."

 

o 0 O 0 o

The good news helped raise our spirits further so that Christmas and the December festivities were enjoyed even more than usual.

The truth is, we have plenty to celebrate from this year. 

Having been given the contract for the musical, we'd benefited more than financially. By raising our profile - even if Corbert didn't take a role - there was the potential for getting further work based on the publicity.

Because of our actions, the stability of Orton's home life was more certain. I could already see how Merlin and Eliza had relaxed since I saw them three weeks ago.

I had a closer understanding of my brother-in-law Rowan after my unusual subterranean adventures.

My nephew Figwort was at last opening up to his extended family. Maybe it's because it's a new experience for him - he rewards us with a big smile each time we meet. I don't know how long that will last, but for now... It warms my heart.

Beverley had learned a life lesson from a bad decision, and coming through the experience she'd had her painting displayed in the mayoral chambers.

The entire family had benefited by reconnecting with Cecile's cousin Coltsfoot and his family.

Yes. Plenty to celebrate. December festivities to enjoy. And afterwards? A new year of opportunities? Maybe. The continued love of our family and friends? Certainly.

o 0 O 0 o