Baby brother 6/9

The next day she went off to the Witches’ Home as usual. Swotting for an exam is always hard work, so by lunchtime she was ready for another trip to Lurbridge. The difference today, was that this time she had a good idea about what she was going to do.

“Is Phil from the wood yard likely to come in here today?” she asked the landlord of the George and Dragons.

“I doubt he’ll be in until this evening miss. He’s working hard lately, filling orders that he’s getting from George. In fact all the woodsmen are doing quite well too. They’re cutting a lot more trees to fill up the empty spaces in the drying racks at the yard. Soon there won’t be much seasoned timber left! I think that and the extra hard work involved, is what was making him say he wanted to retire the other day.”

Jennifer Jane finished her drink and flew off to the yard to have a word with Phil. As usual the pleasant smell of newly sawn timber filled the air, as she turned the corner round the cliff and could see the pier and work sheds in front of her where the river became wider

She found Phil with some of his workmen at the end of the pier, loading more planks onto a barge. It was really more of a huge rowing boat and she guessed that another order for planks was being sent across the river to speed up George’s deliveries.

Phil was straightening his back and wiping his forehead with a large hanky as she drove her scooter slowly along the ground towards the group.

“Morning Miss,” he said as Jennifer Jane drew up and parked. “What can I do for you this morning?”

“I’ve been studying hard for my exams up at the Gate, so I thought I’d come down here for some fresh air and a smell of the sea.”

“Well you’ll get that all right. What with the smell of the mud at low tide and the constant smell of sawdust, I’ve had more than my fair share of what you call fresh air. I’d rather be somewhere out in the country growing flowers. Though of course that’s only a dream,” he sighed, “you can’t eat flowers and I don’t want to starve either!”

Jennifer Jane pretended to think for a while. Phil realised what she was doing and began to look more hopeful. After all, everyone knew about her and her ideas and if she was going to try and help him then maybe all his troubles were over.

“I’ve been speaking to Sir George recently,” she began.

“Yes, yes?” said Phil hopefully.

She grinned at his eagerness. “I just happen to know that his carting company has a lot more drivers since yesterday. I think that means he’ll be able to deal with a lot more orders and that in turn means he’ll need a lot more pigeons. Next time he comes here to pick up the wood you’re sending him, why don’t you ask him if he wants someone to look after the pigeon loft at his head quarters over at Lower Dene? Working hours can’t be all that long. You’ll be out in the country and be able to grow all the flowers you want in your spare time. In fact it wouldn’t surprise me if you couldn’t even sell some of your flowers to people in places that can’t grow their own!”

“Gosh that sounds a wonderful idea. I wonder if he really wants someone to do that. Of course I’d have to find somewhere to live, but I do know where I can get some cheap timber,” he grinned. “Maybe I could build my own little cottage.”

Jennifer Jane left Phil dreaming happy thoughts about the possibility of a new life. She knew of course that she’d just started another new legend. She flew back to the Home learning another verse of her poem on the way.

‘Dear God the baby you sent us is awful nice and sweet, but because you’ve forgotten his toofies the poor little thing can’t eat.’