"Is it time already? Okay, Bunty, we're as ready as we'll ever be. Hey, Brighton . . . Natalya . . . come over here and grab a bowl. You may as well be the first to give it a try. We can iron out the wrinkles in our system with you."
Natalya stepped right up to the bar . . . and just stood there. "Oh, why didn't I spend more time deciding what to try first? The colors and textures! It's all so wonderful! Now I know how Kelly feels. What should I try first? Ooh, I've never had sheep-milk Ice Cream before." Sioned was quick to point out that it was probably better for her friend to try different little bits at a time. Natalya wasn't listening.
"I know what I'll do. Why not just mix some flavors together and have a really full bowl? I'm starving anyway. Oooooooh . . . this chocolate looks good. Mind if I crumble a cookie in the bottom of the bowl? Okay. Yum. Some vanilla, too. Oh, and some raspberry freeze. Whipped cream on top? Sure, why not! Good thing you're not selling this by the pound."
"Whoa, Natalya! Are you crazy?!" Brighton's eyes bulged as she walked up to the counter. "We just ate breakfast, like, half an hour ago." Natalya remained undaunted, looking for a table. "I know, but this Wool Week stuff really makes a person hungry." Bunty looked up from the counter and said, "You sound like Harold."
Brighton decided to check out the ready-serve portions in the coolers. "I'm looking for something just a little smaller right now. I think we'll try and stop by again later for seconds. Oh, but there are so many tempting choices in here. That strawberry looks amazing, and is that frozen yogurt down there? Oh, I love that, and I definitely love that chocolate drizzle on the soft serve. What to pick . . . what to pick . . . Is that hazelnut crunch? That's for me! And I'll have one of those lemon fizz drinks, too. Thanks."
"Hey, girls, why don't you sit over here at the counter? I'd like to spend a little time with you, and this is probably the best chance we'll get. Any plans for today, while Sioned and I are here slaving our fingers to the bone? Well, whatever you do, you've got a gorgeous day for doing it. Ha ha. That sounds like a song lyric."
"We thought it'd be a good chance to check out some of the Island. Natalya wants to stop at Phoenix's Build-a-Bear shop to get a Baby Yoda to take home with her. And there are so many new places to visit since we were here last year, we thought we'd just wander around town. We're even going to try and make it over to Nanea's house, so Eliot's getting Truannie's pram ready so that she can come with us."
"It was delicious, wasn't it Natalya? I don't think I'll ever eat plain old cow-milk ice cream again." As they walked off, Bunty heard Natalya say, "Oh, Brighton, did you hear the funny story about George at the Bazaar yesterday? You didn't? Well, it all started . . ." Bunty stood there smiling at them, thinking about how much she loved her friends.
As Brighton and Natalya walked away, they were so intent on the funny story of George's escapade that they didn't see or hear Masami and Eydie walk up. It's okay, because the newcomers stopped dead in their tracks, overwhelmed by the transformation of the Studio. "Amazing! Simply amazing! Glad we came early, Eydie. There won't be anything left later on. And it's ALL made with sheep milk. Ha ha. That reminds me. Did you hear what George did yesterday?" Eydie just nodded her head and smiled. "I was there."
"Step right up, girls," said Sioned as she waved her arm over the ice cream bar. "We have just about anything you could imagine, and if you don't see what you want . . . don't be afraid to ask! Oh, Eydie that new outfit is adorable! Hey, let me see your charm bracelet. I just LOVE to look through charm bracelets. Ooh, I like THAT one . . ."
Masami wasn't interested in the bracelet. "Is that Grape Soda Ice Cream? Grape Soda, as in Carl and Ellie? Wow! That's what I'd like, please. This is amazing. I think Wool Week is even more fun this year than last. This is the food of real Wilderness Explorers. Adventure is out there!" Eydie just winked at Sioned and kept looking . . .
. . . and looking. It was the ice cream cake that had caught her attention. "Girls, I think you've hit on something here. Any chance you could recreate that gorgeous cake? I'm catering a birthday party next month, and that is just what I've been looking for. Something different. Are the three layers the same flavor? I love the outside colors but was wondering if we could do three pastel shades inside: pink, lavender and aqua. You guessed it. Another Unicorn-themed party. I could do some fun table decorations with the cake as the centerpiece. Any chance I could borrow the cake plate, too? Great. Thanks a million. I'll let you know the exact date later."
"I'd better get back to deciding, or Masami will be finished and ready to go. Hmm. How about a small bowl of your gorgeous Vanilla Ice Cream with a few raspberries on top? Simple but elegant. Your set-up here is absolutely gorgeous. I always think it's important for food to look as good as it tastes, don't you?" When Sioned came back with Eydie's bowl of Ice Cream, she had a surprise for her hiding behind her back. "Close your eyes, Eydie. I have something for you and . . . Well, you can open your eyes now. Surprise! It's a present for Steviekins! His very own quart of sheep milk from our own Berengaria. I hope he didn't have any ill effects from all that whipped cream yesterday. Oh, good. He's such a little darling."
Eydie thanked them profusely on Steviekins' behalf and went to find her friend. Masami had been waiting for her, so they could eat together, sitting there watching her Grape-Soda Ice Cream melt. "I thought you'd never get here. Hey, what's that? For whom? Ha ha! How cute! I'm sure he'll love it! Le's eat our Ice Cream, now. I'd like to visit the sheep pen before we leave. Who's making all that noise over there? Oh, it's just some of the boys coming in."
That amount of noise could only herald the arrival of the boys. As Henry, Vesey and Harold stopped by for Ice Cream to go (the sheep were calling). "Hey, chaps! Look! A DOOR PRIZE! Last one there is a rotten egg!" They almost fell over each other on the way to the Door Prize jar. Didn't really matter what the prize was. It was just the fact that there was a prize. And the fun of wondering if your ticket would be drawn. And to be a member of the Merry Men Club, a boy had to be always ready for fun. The boys hurriedly scribbled their names on the tickets and blew out as quickly as they'd blown in. "But, boys, don't you want to know what the prize is?" Bunty was talking to herself. The boys were long gone. She turned to Sioned and said, "They'll be back. There's no way that's all they'll eat today." The girls went back to refilling empty cartons and wiping down tables, expecting the next wave of Wool Week goers in "a very soon moment".
The reason the sheep were bleating was less from distress than loneliness. While the boys were filling out their tickets, Berengaria let out a racket that a flock of starlings would have envied. Sheepie was so sad for her companion that she joined in a lower harmony part. Brighton and Natalya ran over to the sheep pen to see if something was wrong, and it quieted the ewes . . . a bit . . . as long as the girls petted them and continued a steady stream of baby talk. "What's wrong, you sweet little girliekins? Are you hurt? How 'bout hungry? Already tired of being in that pen? There's a lot of daytime left, and ever so many people will still come to admire you. How about a big drink of water? Would you like me to sing to you?"
"They want me to read to them." Just as Harold rounded the corner and got close to the pen, the ewes stopped their crying and stared up at him with sheep-like adoration. (That's a joke. They are sheep.) The others laughed, because they thought he was joking.
"Are you kidding? You're not kidding, are you?" Harold stuffed the entire ice-cream sandwich into his mouth and moved closer to the pen. The others just stood in watchful anticipation, but Brighton was the first to figure it out. As Harold reached around to his back pocket, she grabbed Natalya's arm and ran with her, as fast as she could, to the other side of the grounds. Vesey and Henry left so fast that they left a trail of ice cream all around the building, not slowing down until they were out of sight. Harold just turned and smiled at the sheep. "Are you girls ready? Now, sit down there, and be good. Ahem . . . '10 Wonderful Reasons to Love Wool'." The sheep closed their eyes and went straight to sleep. Harold was glad for the practice, since he'd have to be really up on all this tomorrow for his special speech time. "Wish I had an audience, but the others were in a real hurry to catch all the fun that this Wool Week event has to offer. Maybe they'll come back later to hear me practice again. Anyway, let's start over again, girls. I think I was a bit too fast on the title. Ahem . . . '10 Wonderful Reasons to Love Wool'." The sheep slept soundly, because not a single person came over to see them while Harold was busy reading. " . . . and wool is a good insulator, too . . ."
Inside the "Ice Cream Parlour", the two girls were glad for the empty room. They'd been hoping that Jill and Silver would come when it was slow, because they had surprises for them. In a moment of slaphappy fun last night, when the red-hair trio was very sleepy but still making ice cream, Natalya jokingly slapped two little bowls down on the table that were filled with green Ice Cream. "Guess what these are. Come on, you can do better than that. I know it's Pistachio! But don't you have any imagination? Guess again." Sea weed? No. Broccoli? Yuk, no. Celery? "Oh, never mind. You're just not thinking. These are BABY YODA LOVER'S DELIGHTS with just the slightest hint of frog essence." If you've never heard three girls giggling in that overly-tired, slaphappy manner, you won't understand what happened in the kitchen that night. The Ice Cream was put in the freezer with the rest, and the exhausted trio fell asleep. Until about 2:00 in the morning, that is, when Bunty jumped out of bed and woke the other two. "Natalya, you're brilliant! I know just what to do with that Pistachio Ice Cream! We'll serve it to Jill and Silver as exactly what you said it was. They will LOVE it! And we'll give them a prize if they eat it all. Don't ask. I have just the thing. Let's go back to sleep now, because we're going to need all the rest we can get." Bunty fell right back to sleep. The other two laid there, wide awake, wondering if she'd been talking in her sleep. Morning came early.
That was hours ago, though, and Bunty and Sioned were ready to meet the day. Right after the boys had left the Parlour, the twins walked in and "ooh-ed" and "ah-ed" their way to the counter. "Girls, it's amazing how you've transformed --" "the place". (Jill and Silver always finish each other's sentences.) "We came early to beat the rush, and there's so much to do here --" "that we didn't want to miss --" " anything."
"Oh, Girls! We've been waiting for you since last night . . . well, early this morning, really. Never mind, it's a long story. Anyway, we've got a surprise for you. Now close your eyes. Don't open them yet." Clatter, clatter. "Now! Open your eyes! Tada! These are your very own, one-of-a-kind BABY YODA LOVER'S DELIGHTS! With just the slightest hint of frog essence." The raucous laughter woke the sheep, and Harold had to start all over again. Poor Harold.
That was hours ago, though, and Bunty and Sioned were ready to meet the day. Right after the boys had left the Parlour, the twins walked in and "ooh-ed" and "ah-ed" their way to the counter. "Girls, it's amazing how you've transformed --" "the place". (Jill and Silver always finish each other's sentences.) "We came early to beat the rush, and there's so much to do here --" "that we didn't want to miss --" " anything."
"Oh, Girls! We've been waiting for you since last night . . . well, early this morning, really. Never mind, it's a long story. Anyway, we've got a surprise for you. Now close your eyes. Don't open them yet." Clatter, clatter. "Now! Open your eyes! Tada! These are your very own, one-of-a-kind BABY YODA LOVER'S DELIGHTS! With just the slightest hint of frog essence." The raucous laughter woke the sheep, and Harold had to start all over again. Poor Harold.
"And here's the prize that you get if you can eat it all. It's Baby Yoda!" The Girls were about to expire with laughter, when they saw Jill whisper something in Silver's ear. Silver stared at her sister in disbelief. "Of course not. They didn't really put frog juice in it. Bunty? Sioned? Not really, right? Tell Jill you were just kidding, or she won't eat it." Bunty couldn't say anything for laughing so hard, and Sioned had to walk away to compose herself. Jill and Silver looked around for someone with a camera, hoping to get their pictures taken with their BYLDs and prizes. "Rats, no one's here. Let's just enjoy the Ice Cream, Jill. You girls are the sweetest friends! No Jill, I promise there is NO frog in there. I'm sure it's just plain old Pistachio Ice Cream, and you love that. Sure, you can have the prize that Bunty's holding. Yum. This is good. So what's the long story about the middle of the night?"
Wendy is the kind of girl who enters a room and no one notices. She quietly made her way around the friends having so much fun and just stood there, admiring it all. Well, not all. "Excuse me, Sioned, but I have a question before I order. Does this taste the same as regular Ice Cream? I really like Ice Cream, and I wouldn't want to eat something that tasted like . . . how it smells out there by the sheep pen. Would it be too much of a bother to ask for a small taste of something? I'm sorry to bother you." Sioned went right into action. "No bother at all, Wendy. I've been handing out samples all morning, and this isn't the first time I've heard that question. Here, try this. One bite will answer all your questions."
The sample did answer all her questions, blowing Wendy's concerns right out of her mind. "Ooh, that's GOOD! Now, what should I choose? Oh, no, I'll be fine. You're very kind. I'm not like Kelly, though. It's just that you have so many things I'd like to try. How 'bout that strawberry swirl with a cherry on top? Oh, yum. I can hardly wait. Um, yes, a bowl would be great this time. I might want smaller seconds later, though, so not too full, please."
Bunty came back from the freezer with refills just as Jill and Silver were leaving. "Hey, girls! Don't forget to register for the Door Prize! No, not a basket again. This time we have something very special. Hmm? Oh, well, thank you. I thought the baskets were special, too, but this year Trudy has offered to come back tomorrow and take a photo of the Grand Prize winner with Albie -- to be featured on the front page of the Islandshire Gazette! Now, how's that for unique? And don't forget this year's motto . . ." "LOVE A --" "LONGWOOL!", the twins answered together.
(The next picture is here because Wendy looks so adorable. It doesn't move the plot.)
Bunty and Sioned whirled around at the same time to see what the loud noise was. "Wow! I hope no one's hurt out there. Harold, what happened?" Harold stood at the door, breathless and disheveled, picking the straw out of his hat. "Everything's okay. Don't worry. Someone opened the gate where we have the lambs, and Albie was out like a dart. It took three of us to round him up, but he's all right." Bunty wondered if Harold was all right.
As Wendy got up to leave, she ran into Jacqui and Toni near the Door Prize jar. "Don't you look wonderful?! Isn't this weather so much nicer than it's been this week? I don't like the cold. Speaking of cold, have you had anything to eat yet? It's delicious, simply delicious. And it doesn't taste like sheep smell at all. Don't be afraid to ask for samples, either. I'm going to fill out my Door Prize ticket and then visit the sheep in the pen again. Harold was 'reading' to them when I came in, but I think I hear him talking to a person right now. Hopefully, that means he's taking a break. Well, gotta run. LOVE A LONGWOOL!" Sioned ran to catch Wendy before she left. "Hey, Wendy, one second, please! When you see Harold, would you please tell him we need the garbage cans emptied? Thanks, and Love a Longwool!"
The twins watched Wendy run towards Harold, then turned to Bunty. "Isn't that Wendy the sweetest thing? Always happy and bubbly like that, isn't she? What? I know we told you we wouldn't be able to make it today, but we're running ahead of schedule and found ourselves with enough time to grab a drink and wander the grounds for a minute or two. Bunty, you've worked miracles on this Studio! We've discussed nothing else the whole way up the walk. We might just enlist your help when we set up the Boutique." Bunty was speechless with the honor of it all. Everyone on the Island knows that Toni and Jacqui have an eye for flair unequalled in these parts. "I'd love to help you . . . as long as it isn't any time this week. I think I'm going to be very tired after tomorrow. Now, what can I get you? You mentioned a drink. How about these fabulous Boston Coolers that Sioned whipped up? They've been going like hotcakes. Sorry. I'm already out of take-out cups, but you're welcome to walk around with these float glasses. Just drop them by later, on your way out. Before you go, though, write your names on a couple of tickets and drop them in the jar. If you win, it might be a good chance to get a plug in for the new Boutique. Not that you'll need one . . ."
"Thanks for everything, Bunty! See ya later! Hey, look, Toni! Harold's feeding the sheep. Maybe we could pet them before they go back to sleep. Aren't they cute? Hey, what's that Harold's pulling out of his pocket?" Looks of horror came over both of their sweet faces (after this photo was taken, obviously). "I think I see Jill and Silver over there. Maybe they have a pair of something they'd like to trade for those boots we bought at the Thrift event. Oh, you're so right, Toni! They're the ones who donated them, aren't they? Oh, well . . . let's see if they've got anymore Baby Yoda stories. I know, but what else do you talk to them about?" The drinks were really good, but they tasted like ordinary root beer floats. So, why were they called "Boston Coolers"? Ah, well . . . a rose by any name . . .
Amabel could not decide what to order. As a rule, she didn't eat anything that contained sugar, but Wool Week always seems like it should have a different set of rules. Bunty pointed out a lot of nice options, but her gaze was locked on the beautiful Ice Cream Cake. She'd never seen anything like that before. That seemed like something worth eating sugar for, but there was one slight hitch. "Oh, Bunty! I couldn't bear the thought of having you cut that just for me!" Mina told her that someone would ask them to cut it, so it may as well be her. Mina thought it was silly. Ice Cream was for eating, not admiring.
"Oh, Amabel. I'd love to cut into this for you. Ple-e-e-ase. What if I eat a slice with you? It's lovely inside. The bottom layer is double chocolate, the middle cherry vanilla, and the top a most luscious cookies-n-cream. Well, if you change your mind . . . I KNOW! I know just what you'll like. How about a sundae made with strawberry frozen yogurt and almond sprinkles? And I'll put just the tiniest little drizzle of organic raspberry syrup on top. Okay? I knew you'd like that. And I'll make it a small one. How's this? Well, you enjoy that. And if you change your mind about the cake, just let me know. Now, Mina, have you made up your mind? Perhaps you'd like a slice of Ice Cream cake?"
Mina gave the cake a side glance (more of a sneer, really) and moved up to the counter. "I'd like something guaranteed to keep me going for a while, and I've been 'saving my appetite' all morning to come and order from you. Amabel, mind if I have your share of the sugar today? I'm starving." Amabel softly smiled at Mina and shook her head. Everyone on Islandshire knows that Mina eats like a horse. No, more like one of the boys. Well, technically, they do eat like horses, so I guess it's one in the same. Mina works hard and plays hard. And eats a lot. Amabel started to look for a seat but decided to wait and see what Mina ordered. It would be interesting, that's for sure.
Bunty was busy behind the counter for a long time. A long time. When she turned around, Amabel gasped. "Oh, my stars, Mina! Are you going to eat all of that? I mean, sugar aside, can you actually eat that much food at once? Bunty, what do you call that? Well named. Think I'll move on now. I can't bear to watch. Door prize? What fun! I'll go right now. Mina, enjoy your 'snack' and come find me when you get done. We'll walk some of these calories off over by the sheep pen, and maybe we'll get a glimpse of the lambs. Bye, Bunty! Everything is so beautiful, and the sundae was just perfect! Thanks for all you've done for us. And make sure you get your rest and some extra Vitamin C." Mina nodded and balanced her "Pig's Trough" with both hands. "Ooh, there's a place at a table over there. Sure you don't wanna sit with me, Amabel? Okay, you sign up for the door prize, and I'll see you at the pen. Yum . . . yum . . ."
Amabel chatted with Bunty for a minute, offering herself for clean-up duty. "You're sure? I'd be glad to help. Well, if you change your mind, just let me know. Ha! Didn't you just say the same thing to me a minute ago? Great minds, you know. Oh, by the way! What IS the door prize this year? Another gift basket? No, Trudy hasn't told me, but this weather has kept me in a lot. I got over to the Bazaar with Nautilus but haven't seen Trudy in a while. So, what is the Door Prize?" Bunty looked around and spotted Sioned at the other end of the counter. "Hey, Sioned! Would you mind explaining this year's door prize to Amabel and show her how to enter? I'm a little busy right now, so please excuse me, Amabel. And don't forget. Come back later, if you want to try that cake with me." Bunty didn't want Amabel to see what was she was about to do. As Amabel walked away, Bunty slipped out from behind the counter and scurried over to where Mina was sitting. "Ready for seconds, Mina? I brought a lemonade for afterwards, too. Here, let me take that empty bowl. If you need anything else, just let me know."
"It's easy peasy, Amabel. Just put your name on the ticket and drop it in the jar. That necklace is really unique. Did you make that yourself? Well, you should talk to Jacqui and Toni about making those for their Boutique. They won't find work like that anywhere else around here, and they've been all over town looking for suppliers. Bracelets, too. You should do bracelets like that for them, too. Okay, but don't forget to take a look at the sheep. You might catch a glimpse of the new lambs. If you see Harold, would you please tell him we need more ice in the freezer? Thanks!"
Seconds later, Nanea and Mahina snuck in around the corner and hid behind the counter. When Sioned came over to pour more floats, they popped up and hollered, "SURPRISE!" Sioned nearly spilled the root beer, jumping at least two feet off the ground. "Oh, my. Did we scare you? I'm SO sorry, Sioned. I promise, we just thought you'd be . . . well, surprised. Next time, we'll make noise before we surprise someone." All three had a good laugh over Nanea and her 'unsurprising surprise'. "Sioned, I don't think you and Mahina have met yet, have you? She just moved to the Island, and we've become fast friends. Mahina, this is Sioned, one of the nicest girls on the Island, with a real servant's heart. Sioned, meet Mahina, who's thinking about opening an honest-to-goodness, real Hawaiian "Shave Ice Stand" near our Pearl Stall. And you should see her hula!"
Nanea rushed over to view the Ice Cream display, but Mahina stayed behind to put her name on a ticket for the Door Prize. Sioned went back to her root beer floats and asked Mahina (who was shyly staring at the eaters at the counter) if she'd like to try a bit. "Pardon me? Oh, no thanks. Maybe later." Sioned was a seasoned veteran with this kind of response, knowing full well what Mahina was really trying to say. "Would you like to try a little? Why don't you have a bit of the Vanilla Ice Cream and a spoonful of Whipped Cream? I promise, you'll LOVE it all! Tastes just like . . . um, er . . . REAL Ice Cream! That's it, REAL Ice Cream! Just for me . . . pretty please?" That 'pretty please' gets 'em every time. Mahina didn't speak a word. After the first bite, she was too busy finishing her samples, in order to get around to where Nanea was standing and order a full portion. "Thank you, Sioned. I can see you and I are going to be good friends." What a sweet girl she seems to be. But, then, Nanea wouldn't have any other kind of friend, would she?
"Oh, my, Bunty! It's all BEAUTIFUL, it makes me want to HULA! Is that purple Ice Cream poi flavored? Grape Soda? Oh. What do you call the pink one? The blue one? Oh. That cake is amazing. What flavor is inside that? Oh. Those Ice Cream sandwiches look really good. I'll bet Benny and Raito would like those. Oh, he didn't. The whole thing in his mouth at once? That sounds just like Harold, though. Hope Benny doesn't see him doing that. I know. Boys."
"Nanea, I think I know just what you'd like. Look inside the cooler in front of you. Look at the bottom shelf, to the far right. We made that just for you. It was Brighton's idea, actually, but we've all been waiting for you to get here to see the look on your face when you taste it. Good choice. You won't be sorry. Let me know what you think of it, will you? In fact, why don't you and Mahina sit up here at the counter, and we might be able to talk between customers?"
Nanea and Mahina sat down together, Mahina having finally decided on a Vanilla and Double Hot Fudge Sundae with dark-chocolate chips, peanuts and whipped cream. "Lots of whipped cream, please." Bunty just smiled as she made the Sundae. Sioned must have "pretty-pleased" Mahina already.
"Oh, Girls! It's PINEAPPLE! Oh, you ARE the best friends a girl ever had!" (Nanea is everybody's best friend. She's just like that, you know.) "This tastes EXACTLY like Pineapple Dole Whip, only better! Did you REALLY make this from Berengaria's milk? What's that fruit on top? Papaya chunks? Ooooh, I just LOVE it! Mahina, look, it's PINEAPPLE Ice Cream!" Nanea set her mind (and mouth) to her delectable delight. And, yes, she ALWAYS talks like that, with capital letters and exclamation points!
Bunty filled the quiet with a steady stream of small talk. "Did you hear what George did at the Bazaar the other day? He's such a goof. He's already been in four times today for Ice Cream in one form or another. Berengaria has a new chum, now, and he says he's never eating "plain old cow-milk Ice Cream" again. Bet he changes his mind, though, when the sheep-milk Ice Cream is all gone. By the way, Nanea, I hear congratulations are in order. It's all over town that Benny surprised you with that Washer & Dryer I saw at Lori's Thrift event the other day, with the idea of opening a Laundromat. I hear it's already been named "The Luau Laundromat" and that Benny's almost finished with the plumbing. Barbecues, hula dancers . . . I can't wait to see it all. I bet you're glad to have Mahina here now, so that you'll have help with the entertainment side of things. I must say, you and Benny sure do come up with some great ideas. And you're such a TEAM. Always sharing everything. I wish Eliot had a little more of that get-up-and-go . . ."
Nanea wished she could get up and go. Anywhere but where Benny is . . . or is likely to be . . . How did this happen? And she said "all over town". I wonder if Benny was in town today. If not, he'll surely find out tomorrow at the Sheep Dog Exhibition. Maybe I can come up with a reason for him to stay home tomorrow. Oh, my. I can't expect him to stay home every day. Ooh, I don't want to be there when Benny finds out he's the last to know that he surprised me with the set so that we could open a Laundromat. In our own backyard. With entertainment. Nanea and Mahina left without saying a word. Bunty and Sioned just looked at each and shrugged. "I hope it's nothing I said."
"Oh, Girls! It's PINEAPPLE! Oh, you ARE the best friends a girl ever had!" (Nanea is everybody's best friend. She's just like that, you know.) "This tastes EXACTLY like Pineapple Dole Whip, only better! Did you REALLY make this from Berengaria's milk? What's that fruit on top? Papaya chunks? Ooooh, I just LOVE it! Mahina, look, it's PINEAPPLE Ice Cream!" Nanea set her mind (and mouth) to her delectable delight. And, yes, she ALWAYS talks like that, with capital letters and exclamation points!
Bunty filled the quiet with a steady stream of small talk. "Did you hear what George did at the Bazaar the other day? He's such a goof. He's already been in four times today for Ice Cream in one form or another. Berengaria has a new chum, now, and he says he's never eating "plain old cow-milk Ice Cream" again. Bet he changes his mind, though, when the sheep-milk Ice Cream is all gone. By the way, Nanea, I hear congratulations are in order. It's all over town that Benny surprised you with that Washer & Dryer I saw at Lori's Thrift event the other day, with the idea of opening a Laundromat. I hear it's already been named "The Luau Laundromat" and that Benny's almost finished with the plumbing. Barbecues, hula dancers . . . I can't wait to see it all. I bet you're glad to have Mahina here now, so that you'll have help with the entertainment side of things. I must say, you and Benny sure do come up with some great ideas. And you're such a TEAM. Always sharing everything. I wish Eliot had a little more of that get-up-and-go . . ."
Nanea wished she could get up and go. Anywhere but where Benny is . . . or is likely to be . . . How did this happen? And she said "all over town". I wonder if Benny was in town today. If not, he'll surely find out tomorrow at the Sheep Dog Exhibition. Maybe I can come up with a reason for him to stay home tomorrow. Oh, my. I can't expect him to stay home every day. Ooh, I don't want to be there when Benny finds out he's the last to know that he surprised me with the set so that we could open a Laundromat. In our own backyard. With entertainment. Nanea and Mahina left without saying a word. Bunty and Sioned just looked at each and shrugged. "I hope it's nothing I said."
Nanea and Mahina were the last ones to leave for the day. Just as Bunty flipped the sign to read CLOSED, Eliot rambled in. "Harold said he was going home to relieve you of your babysitting duties. How'd it go today?" Eliot didn't like to hear his sister referring to his Godchild as a "duty". Truannie is practically perfect in every way, and there's no "duty" in watching her at all. Some of Eliot's favorite days had been spent with Truannie. Partly, because she seldom requires a response to anything she says. Mostly, because she's the cutest baby ever born. "Okay."
"Harold told me what the Door Prize was. Now, that's something I'll sign up for. Not every day that a chap gets his picture on the front page of the Gazette. Without having to do anything." Yep. Eliot's get-up-and-go done got up and went.
Bunty looked around with satisfaction at all the full donation cans. "Well, we had a great day! Lots of new converts to sheep-milk Ice Cream, and everyone was happy that Islandshire has its lovely weather back again. Boy, are there a lot of dishes back there to wash. We had ever so many people who came back for seconds and thirds. Even Amabel had a dish of something. Yes, I believe she did like it, even if it did have sugar in it." Eliot was always a little undone at the mention of Amabel. No sugar, no saturated fats, always telling a chap to get to bed early and take extra Vitamin C. He looked at Bunty and thought about how wonderful his sister is. "Hey, Bunty." "Yes?" "You're okay." Sioned decided that a compliment like that deserved a sweet reward. She grabbed the last three Boston Coolers, and they toasted the RBST and all the fine work they do. "Here's to you, RBST!" Hear, hear.
"Eliot, we have a lot of Ice Cream left over. We were wondering about opening, sort of improv style, tomorrow after Harold's Exhibition." Eliot gulped his float down and said, "I guess that'd be all right. We could put the Ice Cream back in the freezer and leave everything else where it is. I'll get the 'Merry Men' to come and help me. You girls go home and get off your feet." As he turned to check the ice situation, he asked, "Are you really going to let him read that paper of his tomorrow?" Bunty glared one of her iciest glares at him, so he quickened his pace to the freezer. Brrr. It can't be any frostier in there than it is out here.
Only one more event to go before the end of Wool Week! The weather is forecast to be absolutely gorgeous for the Sheep Dog Exhibition. If you want to know who wins the Door Prize, you'll have to come back on Monday. We're going to have Harold announce it after he gives his speech. And please pray that Benny won't be able to make it. For Nanea's sake. Before we leave for the night, though, please look at those girls. They haven't got a single drip on them anywhere. And not a hair out of place. Utterly unbelievable . . .
As for the Door Prize . . . We've got a bit of a problem. So many of the pictures came out so cute that the three of us can't come up with a winner. So, we're going open it to the public. Don't worry. All votes will be counted without bias, no signatures required. And we'll even do a recount, if necessary. So, come back later today, and we'll post all the runner-up photos for you to vote on. Absolutely NO mail-ins, and you're only allowed to vote once. This will be strictly enforced.
Time for the fine print. You've only got a couple of days left to help us support RBST. If you'd like your dolls to show support for the Longwools, you can send a message through the contact form on this blog (or PM me on one of the doll forums) to donate $6.00 for a necklace of your own. Color choices vary by availability. All proceeds will go to the Rare Breeds Survival Trust's 'LOVE A LONGWOOL' campaign. For real.)
As for the Door Prize . . . We've got a bit of a problem. So many of the pictures came out so cute that the three of us can't come up with a winner. So, we're going open it to the public. Don't worry. All votes will be counted without bias, no signatures required. And we'll even do a recount, if necessary. So, come back later today, and we'll post all the runner-up photos for you to vote on. Absolutely NO mail-ins, and you're only allowed to vote once. This will be strictly enforced.
Time for the fine print. You've only got a couple of days left to help us support RBST. If you'd like your dolls to show support for the Longwools, you can send a message through the contact form on this blog (or PM me on one of the doll forums) to donate $6.00 for a necklace of your own. Color choices vary by availability. All proceeds will go to the Rare Breeds Survival Trust's 'LOVE A LONGWOOL' campaign. For real.)