apples, and the Stork

17th October 2021

My dear friend Lopsy telephoned.

I suppose I don’t have to believe the answer.

You may remember that the Stork took Um and the Baby away, I think to find someone who could help them with their asylum application, and to access all the things they need in this new alien country.

Oh, how wonderful if the Stork is back. I’ve been waiting and waiting for news of Um and the Baby.

Yes, there he is, up on his hook.

No no, I mustn’t just ask after Um and the Baby. He’ll think I’m not pleased to see him himself.

It is very nice to see him again. I’ll make him a cup of tea.

I’m afraid he’s been home some time, and I just haven’t noticed. The cuckoos tried to tell me, but I didn’t understand.

I hope I haven’t hurt his feelings.

Though now I come to think of it, it gave him a chance to quarantine, after getting back from his foreign travel.

I’d better telephone Lopsy with the good news.

I suppose half of me doesn’t want to ask.

As long as I don’t know anything definite, I can keep on hoping.

I can imagine the Stork saying “Their immigration papers are all sorted now, and I’ll be bringing them back here next week, to live with you happily ever after”.

I know it’s not very likely. And they’re probably much better off where they are.

I expect the Stork has found them a council flat on a nice estate with a good nursery and community centre.

Or a special mother-and-child hostel with enriched education facilities for the Baby, and plenty of other young mothers for Um to socialise with. And an interpreter.

Which of course would be very good indeed.

But memories of the Baby keep coming back. I remember how it would tear things up and throw them all over me.

The little scallywag. I do miss it.

bread, music, transport, relaxation

28th October 2021

I’ve been hoping that the Stork would tell me some news of Um and the Baby.

They lived here with me for a while after I happened upon Um on a beach last year.

I didn’t find out till later that she had a baby in her pocket – The Baby.

Then the Stork took them off somewhere.

I decided to invite him down for another cup of tea.

I hoped that this time the conversation might get round to where Um and the Baby are now, and what they’re up to.

I made a batch of shortbread, partly for the Stork, and partly to take to my friends Ruffy and Points, who are in prison at the moment.

I arranged some on a plate.

When I came back from putting the kettle on, I found the Stork had already eaten the shortbread.

He’d flown back up to his hook without waiting for any tea.

But he has left a message for me. I wonder if it’s telling me what I want to know.

He doesn’t speak English, but luckily he’s good with a pencil.

It doesn’t say where they are, but yes, that’s definitely Um and the Baby looking cheerful in a little house.

That’s very good news.

And I see he’s drawn himself, taking someone to visit them. I think it must be me, because of the triangle.

That looks like a plan, or a promise.

How exciting. I’ve never flown before.

I expect the Baby has grown up a lot since I saw it last. It may not remember who I am.

I’m glad I made plenty of shortbread. I can take some with me when we go.

I’ve been waiting under the Stork’s hook to see if we were going to set off straight away, but he hasn’t come down again, so I’m just going to get on with life, and see what he decides.

Lopsy and Jenny and I met up on Zoom.

We missed Points.

We had a bit of a chat before we got down to the serious business.

Oh dear. I don’t like it when my friends fall out.

I think it’s sounding rather good.

Of course we need Points and her ocarina for the full effect. It’s always useful to have a tune.

I wonder what Prison Officers like best? We need to think of something better to bribe them with.

If Ruffy and Points have really been moved to Dartmoor, that will be too far for me to walk.

I’m avoiding buses for now, because I’ve seen that people aren’t always wearing their masks on public transport.

I know the Prime Minister says that mask-wearing is a matter of personal choice, but a vulnerable person like me doesn’t have much choice.

There’s always Hitch-hiking. But I don’t want to annoy people by holding a sign saying “Masked drivers only, please”.

I’d better get my bicycle out again. I’ve been neglecting it.

Once I’d recovered from last year’s great bicycling expedition, I took a long break from riding.

After that, I felt nervous about getting back on the bicycle. But really, what’s the worst that can happen?

I believe even worse things happen at sea.

I think I’ll go home and have a soothing bath. I can’t remember when I last had a bath.

Bunce and Snowy have been growing loofahs.

They’ve sent me a slice, so I can give myself a good scrub.

Lopsy recommends putting some essential oils in the water, but I’m not sure about that.

Aah. This is extremely nice.