Yvonne Fleece: Heidi’s holiday

Heidi’s holiday

Once upon a time on a small farm near Billingshurst…

Once upon a time on a small farm near Billingshurst or, rather, at a small caravan near Selsey, Heidi the schnauzer was busy eating breakfast. Nanny usually put the crunchies down in the morning like today and they could all graze as they wanted. Heidi always let Poppy eat her crunchies but growled when Magnus tried to. She really loved Poppy except when she got too demanding and Heidi had to give her a growling to set her right.

Here they were in the beginning of October and today the sun was shining. Yesterday, there had been a great big wind and everything rocked and flapped all day. Nanny had taken them for a run while it was still windy and nearly got blown over trying to pick up a big poo.

As she went outside for a wee Heidi was a bit worried. She listened as well as she could about what was going to happen, but as she was a bit deaf (like Grandad) she wasn’t sure about what was going to happen. She did know that she and Nanny had gone in the car to a garden and there they visited a lady in a motor chair. The lady said, “Hello, Heidi, it’s your Mummy,” and she patted Heidi. “Oh my dog,” thought Heidi, “Who’s this?” The lady seemed familiar but Heidi couldn’t quite place her. She sat by Nanny as close as possible while the humans talked and occasionally the lady in the chair would talk to Heidi repeating, “Hello, darling, it’s your Mummy.”

Heidi was a bit confused as she had some vague memories about the lady but she’d had such a good time at the little farm near Billingshurst, that she couldn’t quite bring her previous life back into focus.

Anyway, things went back to normal but still people talked and still Heidi didn’t quite hear or understand. Until they went back to the garden again to meet the lady in the motor chair. This time Nanny let her go and meet the lady ahead of her and Heidi went over to say hello. This was fine, since she knew they’d met this lady before and she was friendly. The lady started to talk to her. “Hello, my darling,” she said, “I’m coming

home soon and we can meet Darcy. Do you remember Darcy the cat? Did you miss me? What a lovely girl you are.” Nanny lifted Heidi up onto the lady’s lap and she settled down looking longingly at the biscuits the ladies were pushing into their mouths. “No,” said the lady, “you aren’t allowed chocolate, my darling. It’s not good for you.” Then Nanny told the lady they had to go home because she wanted to pack for their time at the caravan. “This’ll be your last time, Heidi,” Nanny said. “You’re going home to your Mummy next week.” Heidi didn’t want to hear that and closed her ears. So here they were back at the caravan and Heidi was eating her crunchies. Nanny took them for some walks in the great big paddock and then she promised she’d take Heidi and Poppy to the beach in the afternoon. The girls liked the beach but Magnus did not. ‘Now, what is that smell?’ Nanny put them both onto her scooter and off they scootered to the beach. The girls had a great roam and Nanny selected a few stones to put in her Selsey garden. It was a bit windy and had got colder but it was good. All too soon though the time ended and Nanny packed all Heidi’s blankets, bowls and crunchies and took her to her Mummy’s house. Nanny and Grandad were sad to let her go. And Sara was broken hearted. She didn’t like the idea of Heidi anywhere else but with them. But it was time. Her Mummy was home from her long stay in hospital and loved her and so it was only right Heidi went home. Poppy howled for a bit and then was distracted by treats and a run. Magnus heaved a sigh of relief. He didn’t really like sharing his mum. Poppy was certainly bad enough! And thus, as Nanny went to her granddaughter’s wedding in New Zealand, things sort of settled down on that little farm near Billingshurst as they waited for winter. Yvonne Fleece

RUDGWICK FENCING

All types of fencing work undertaken FOR A FREE ON-SITE VISIT, ESTIMATE AND ADVICE

Phone Adrian Bargman Tel: 01403 823048

Email: adrianbargman@gmail.com