rescuing cousin Peter, and Brussels sprouts

It’s such a busy time of the year, what with keeping warm, and mending woolly clothing, and rescuing cousins.

My poor cousin Peter fell downstairs. He was badly bumped, and had to go to hospital.

They wanted to keep him in, to keep an eye on him.

But he wasn’t happy there, so I rather rashly promised to get him out.

I wasn’t sure if I’d even be allowed into the hospital. But nothing venture, nothing gain.

I took just minimal luggage, and set off.

My bicycle helmet isn’t compatible with my anorak hood, and I decided to choose warmth over safety. I wouldn’t be very safe on the roads if my brain froze, would I?

It was quite an expedition. It was during that cold patch we had,

The roads were quite treacherous, and it took much longer to reach the hospital than I’d expected.

But no one stopped me from going into the hospital.

The next challenge was to find where in the hospital cousin Peter might be.

Those long corridors, with their bright lights, and directions to all kinds of departments, are very confusing.

That’s interesting.

I know about donating blood, but I’d never realised that old tissues could be re-used. What a good idea. I hope that was the right box that I put my tissue in.

I found Cousin Peter in the end.

He was looking rather poorly. I was afraid the doctors might be right about keeping him in hospital.

But he perked up when he saw me.

I didn’t want anyone to find us, and stop us leaving.

We succeeded in getting out without being challenged.

It wasn’t a strike day for health workers, but I suppose the staff are all so busy that they can’t be expected to notice a bed or two disappearing.

My rope worked well, and Peter said that the ride was not too bumpy.

On the way home, we had a serious political discussion. It’s easy to talk about important issues to Peter, because he’s not one of these intellectual people, who make things complicated.

We happened to go past a Young Malefactors Institution.

I knew really that it wasn’t the prison where our friend Ruffy is incarcerated, because I’ve phoned all the official prisons, and they’ve all told me that they haven’t got him.

But I waved anyway, just in case.

Oh dear, I wish he could hear me.

I wish I could find him.

I’ll need a ramp up to this door before I’m very much older, if I’m going to keep inviting my friends round.

Anyway, if it’s going to be Christmas soon, I’d better put the tree up.

Oh dear, I haven’t got a present for Peter. What can I do?

I did have some chocolate in the cupboard, but I ate it when I was feeling discouraged one day.

I could wrap up a book for him. I have a Maori dictionary, and a bible.

But those are useful reference books, so I probably shouldn’t give them away.

I have an interesting book about Fundamental Rights in the European Community.

But it’s not very festive.

I’ll have to work hard on the low notes. And perhaps we could think of some slower tunes.

Ring-ring. Ring-ring.

Who’s that, I wonder?

I’ve got some Brussels sprouts. I think they’re the only really crucial thing, don’t you?