Charlie And Midge - Chapter 3 (Part 2)

 

Charlie And Midge

A Novel

By Paul McCann

Chapter 3

(Part 2)

The Lost Dog   

 

The dog followed Charlie and Midge everywhere they went . They both stopped now and then , speaking in a friendly tone to the dog . One of the truck drivers  pulled up the truck and said to Charlie and Midge .

"I was wondering who the dog belonged to . It has been wandering around here for weeks . So I chained him up as he was getting in the way of the trucks and workers . I tried to bring him some feed everyday but I lost a lot of my shifts and I have enough dogs at home to look after ."

Charlie lifted a stick and tossed it away . Thew big dog ran to retrieve it and brought it back dropping it at Charlies feet . Charlie lifted the stick and threw it away again and the dog ran over to collect it .

Charlie gave the truck driver and nod and said ,

“Aye you know , he’s a good dog . Sometimes he likes to wander off . So we’ve been looking for him for a few weeks now . Any ways what’s lost had been found . “

The truck driver asked ,

“So you’re one of the new residents here in Safe Harbour then ?

Midge replied .

“Yes we are that “

Charlie added proudly ,

“We’ve just bought a new house here and the fence hasn’t been finished yet , That’s how come he got away .“
The big dog started to dig a hole in the ground and then barked as if he was very proud of something . Charlie went over and looked at where the dog had been digging .

“What’s he found there ?” The truck driver asked ,

Charlie replied ,

“It’s a bit like this you see . We have this little game we play. Where we bury a bone and he has to find it “

The truck driver laughed and said ,

“Looks like he found the bone then . God bless ,. Have a good day .“

Then he drove off .

The big dog kept digging and Midge saw in the hole that the dog had dug there was an old tin box . Charlie got on his knees and managed to lift out the box . With a little difficulty he opened it up and found some old coins and photographs . Midge also saw what looked like a bag of gemstones in a small bag . She quickly put the old tin box in her bag and smiled then said .

“ Charlie , lets get Lucky a new home “

Charlie replied ,

“ Are you saying what I think you’re trying to say Midge “

Midge smiled and said ,

“I’m thinking you know exactly what I’m trying to say Charlie. I have some valuable things that are worth a fortune and I also know Daddy will finance us buying the house so we don’t have an issue with money . We can afford it . So lets just go ahead and make a deal Charlie . I have a good feeling about this place “

“Right then let’s go and find that administration office and speak with someone there about us buying a place here in Safe Harbour “

They both walked for a while until they saw some people in suits and ties and not wearing high visibility clothes . Charlie and Midge approached them and they asked,

“Hello , how can we help you ?

Midge said ,

‘We would like to buy a home here .Who can we speak to “

“Wait right there good folk . I’ll just go and get the car and we’ll take you to the main administration office on site ‘

He left and a little while later a van pulled up and they all got in .

“Just a well we have the van with us today . That’s a great looking wolfhound you have there “

Midge laughed and said .

“Oh he is that all right and he loves to runaway a lot “

Charlie added . ‘It’s in their blood you know . Chasing wolves and all that “

“Well all the wolves have all gone now from this place .“

One of the sales team said ,

Charlie replied ,

“Well try telling him that . He still likes to go looking anyway “

Everyone had a good laugh . Went they got to the administration office they were shown some of the homes that were being built . One of them had recently been awarded first prize for its design and without any hesitation Charlie and Midge both agreed , It was that house they  wanted to buy . Midge knew that they could get the money to buy the place and assured the team they would go ahead and make a downpayment through their bank and they would like to push ahead with the process of buying the home . Lunch was provided for Charlie , Midge and Lucky by the office administration team at Safe Harbour Estate Charlie and Midge were brought to some of the finished homes similar to the one they had chosen . There were a selection of houses to view ,  each one had been arranged by a different interior designer with ideas about light , space and furnishings . Midge and Charlie agreed on one of the simpler interior designs created by Bel Aire Desings and instructed the sales team  to go ahead and have the home furnished the same way as Bel Aire had done . They were told the home would be finished in six months and they could move in anytime they wanted .

Charlie and Midge were so excited and couldn’t wait to tell their parents when they got home all about what they had done and how they had a new home in Safe Harbour .  The sales team learned that they were going back to their farm on the train and insisted that they would drive them all home to the farm  .

The Sate Harbour sales team organized a van and a driver then wished them a safe return .

It was a lot different going home in a van than a train as now they had an Irish Wolfhound with them and Lucky loved riding in the back of a van with a blanket on the floor  . Just before they left the driver asked .

“So where abouts is your farm ”

Before Charlie replied  the driver called one of the sales team over to the car,

“Have you got a pen and paper handy . Write this down .”
Charlie started with the instructions on how to get home .

“Well now the farm’s not too far from the Dowling’s grocery store “

Midge added ,

“Actually its closer to Mr Rafferty’s pig farm .“

The driver asked ,

“So what road would that be that on ?”

Charlie replied ,

“Well that depends on what way you’re coming from as you see the road to Rafferty’s pig farm is on the road between Hilltop and Hillend  but the road to Dowling’s Grocery store is on the bend at Hillend “

“Charlie but we’re not going to the grocery store “

‘I know that Midge but the driver wants to know the quickest way to the farm .“

“What is the farm called ?”:

The “driver asked and Midge aid ,

“It’s known as Powers Stud and Dairy Farm .“

The sales team member stopped writing and said ,

“Did you say Powers Stud and Dairy farm ?
“Midge replied “I did .”

Tio which the salesman replied ,

“So that would be the one that belongs to Paddy Powers if I’m not mistaken “

Midge replied ,.
‘Yes it’s my Daddy who owns the farm”:

And the salesman said

“ Well it’s a small world , nice to meet you . My name is Bob but most people call me Tubby . It my nickname . “
He laughed aloud and pointed to his large belly .
“I’m Midge and this is my husband Charlie “

They all shook hands .

The salesman explained to the driver the way to get to the farm “

“All right , it’s a little tricky to find but I’ve bought a few horses from Paddy Powers and he’s purposely planted a large oak tree opposite the front gate to the entrance of his farm . The oak tree is just after the bend on Hillend road . Once you see the oak tree turn into the gate opposite , it’s always open . Now to get to Hillend just travel northwards on the Rocky Road . Listen now here’s the key . There will be a pub on the Rocky Road with a tree growing out from the roof . You can’t miss it . Its on the left hand side of the road so as you as you see the pub take the next left hand turn and that will be the road to Hillend and as far as I remember . its only a mile and a half along that road where you’ll see the large oak tree just on the bend of the road “

The driver smiled and said .

‘well that’s seems like a good description of a map for me to follow >So we’ll be off then . Thanks Tubby “

Midge and Charlie also added their thanks as the van drove away from Safe Harbour to the motorway then to the exit at Rocky Road . Afterwards the driver kept his eyes peeled for a pub that had a tree growing from its roof .  There  were many  trees beside pubs and pubs with trees in their name but as yet there were no pubs with a tree inside the pub but eventually , sure enough there it was , a pub with a tree growing from the inside with its leaves reaching upwards about ten feet above the roof . Straight after the driver of the van took the next turn to the left that took them to a  small road where they saw a donkey tied to a post  and a dog in the cart that was tied to a chain on the rein of the donkey that was tied to the post .

After a little while Charlie said ,

”Looks like the other side of Hillend Road “

Midge added ,

‘We’re on the right road then. “

A little bit further down the road the driver spotted a large oak tree

and he slowed down .

‘Charlie said ,

“That’s us. We’re here now”

“Thank you very much . How much is the fare ?”

Midge asked .

“Its all part of the service. “

“Well that’s very kind of you :

Midge said and pointed him towards their cottage .

Charlie said Midge said goodbye and got out of the van with Lucky who made a fast dash around the grounds . Back and forward looking very excited to be there at his new home .

 

As twilight came Charlie , Midge and Lucky went for a walk to their Mr and Mrs Powers farmhouse who were very surprised and happy to see their new dog .

Charlie and Midge then went on to discuss what they had doner during the day and their plans to leave the farm and move into a new home in Safe Harbour .

They were so excited about their new home and about all the new resources that was going to be put in place for everyone . Mr and Mrs Powers were a little sad that they would be moving away from the farm but they respected their decision and understood that it was part of them finding each other and becoming more independent as a couple.

 

End Of Chapter 3

 

Charlie And Midge

A Novel By Paul McCann

Link to chapter 4

https://www.abctales.com/story/mcscraic/charlie-and-midge-chapter-4

 

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