Lionel's Arrival
Once back downstairs in the living room, Maurice was pondering ideas of his great event when Ottilee rushed in all out of breath. Maurice frowned slightly. She’s been running about again no doubt. When will she learn to walk like a lady he thought.
“Hi Daddy. Hi Grandad. Hi Kit,” she babbled excitedly, “Guess who I’ve just met at the Marlowe’s house.” Without waiting for any replies she rushed on. “Lionel Grande. The famous pianist from the big city. He’s a distant cousin of Mason and he’s come for a visit. Rose says he’s helping her with her piano practice.” |
“That has given me the most wonderful idea,” Maurice exclaimed, “We will host an exclusive concert starring the famous Lionel Grande for Stella and Vandykeville’s most distinguished residents. I must phone him straight away to make the arrangements.”
Maurice wasted no time in dialling the number for the Marlowe home and was relieved when the phone was answered promptly. |
Lionel was delighted to receive an invitation to play and readily agreed to perform that night. Maurice came off the phone delighted with his success.
“Now we must carefully consider who merits an invitation. Obviously we must invite Mayor Vandyke.” “Ooh yes,” agreed Ottilee, “And he could bring Mr Waters as they live on the boat together.” |
“Oh no, no!” exclaimed Maurice in horror, “We can’t possibly have him, he is far too scruffy, this is a sophisticated event.” Ottilee and Quincy rolled their eyes at each other and tried to think who Maurice might approve of.
“Well how about the Spotters? They’re a lovely family” suggested Quincy. “They’re alright I suppose but rather chatty, I think their neighbours the Darwins would be much more suitable, we will invite them.” After a considerable time and having rejected many more of Quincy and Ottilee’s suggestions Maurice finally had a guest list he could tolerate. |
Early that afternoon, Maurice was horrified to see Lionel and his piano arriving on the Chestnuts’ pony and trap. Once it was unloaded, Lionel thanked Pansy for all her help and said “I’m looking forward to seeing you and the rest of your family later at the concert.”
Maurice nearly keeled over in despair at this ad hoc way of delivering an invite and was filled with dread at the thought of his prestigious event being overrun by raccoons. Thinking quickly, he called out, “I’m sure you will be far too busy with your family to attend our little event. Maybe another time Mrs Chestnut.” |
Pansy was very tempted to accept Lionel’s invitation just to see the look on Maurice’s face but instead replied cheekily, “I would have loved to come but unfortunately I and my family are already having dinner with the Mayor of Waddlingtown, Bill!” With this she drove off leaving Maurice wondering why he’d not been invited and in shock that Pansy Chestnut was on first name terms with someone as important as Bill Waddlington.
Meanwhile, Lionel had managed to get his piano onto the roof and was entertaining Quincy and Kit with his jazz tunes. |
“Have you checked if any of your guests have any dietary requirements?” questioned Fern.
“Don’t be absurd,” Maurice said crossly, “One doesn’t quiz one’s guests on such matters. My main concern is that the food is posh-just focus on that please.” Fern and Primrose shrugged their shoulders in resignation and continued with their hard work. By early evening, guests were arriving. Maurice and Ottille stood at the Manor’s grand entrance to greet them. |
Maurice nodded inwardly in approval at the effort they had taken to look posh. However, he was surprised to see Wade approaching as he certainly had not been invited. Before he could make a scene, Otitilee pointed out that clearly Ramsey had not wanted to come and had sent a very smart looking Wade in his place. Appeased, Maurice ushered his guests upstairs while he made one final check of the house.
Buster Syldale had not been living in Vandykeville for very long but already had his ear to the ground and had heard about the exclusive party happening at the Country Manor. Music wasn’t really his thing, but food really was! |
He decided to gate crash! Scaling the pillar to the balcony was no problem for him and he was just about to sneak over the railing when Maurice appeared.
“You boy! What do you think you are doing?” he bellowed in fury. “This is a most exclusive event. Naughty foxes are not permitted under any circumstances. Get away before I phone for PC Bobby Roberts you scoundrel!” Buster didn’t wait to hear more. He shimmied back down the pillar and was away out of sight to consider his options with Maurice still shouting warnings after him. |
Before too long, the first half had finished and the guests were downstairs eagerly anticipating the refreshments. Lionel sidled up to Maurice and asked politely, “Could you tell me which food is gluten free please?” Maurice’s heart nearly stopped. For once he was lost for words and had no idea what to do. He couldn’t possibly tell Lionel that he had no food for him. Oh why hadn’t he listened to Fern and Primrose. This would never have happened if my dear Margot was here. This is the last time I put on an event without her he thought.
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Hurriedly, he excused himself, assuring Lionel that he would personally bring him the special food they had set aside for him. With sweaty paws he rushed outside to seek Fern’s and Primrose’s advice. To his dismay, they laughingly told him that there was nothing they could do about it now and he would have to go and tell Lionel there was no gluten free food. They refrained from saying “I told you so you great big twittish, pompous bear.” Although I’m sure they were thinking something along those lines.
On hearing this, Maurice nearly fainted but before he had a chance to swoon, Ottilee appeared and piped up “Daddy, I heard that the Brick Oven Bakery has started doing gluten free baking. Maybe we could phone for a pizza for Lionel?” she suggested helpfully. Maurice had never dreamed that he could ever be grateful for pizza but in this moment he was ecstatic! “Yes yes wonderful idea, telephone Carlotta right away. Just be sure Lionel can’t see you!”
On hearing this, Maurice nearly fainted but before he had a chance to swoon, Ottilee appeared and piped up “Daddy, I heard that the Brick Oven Bakery has started doing gluten free baking. Maybe we could phone for a pizza for Lionel?” she suggested helpfully. Maurice had never dreamed that he could ever be grateful for pizza but in this moment he was ecstatic! “Yes yes wonderful idea, telephone Carlotta right away. Just be sure Lionel can’t see you!”
Across town, Carlotta Bramble was very busy serving her customers when the phone started to ring.
“It’s Ottilee here at the Country Manor. We’re in a bit of a fix. Could we have one of your best gluten free pizzas as soon as possible? Daddy will cover all costs. I’ve never seen him so desperate for help.”
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“Good evening, Brick Oven Bakery and pizza delivery service. How may I help you?”
“He’s in luck, I’ll be pulling one out of the oven in a few seconds. I’ll have Giuseppe drive it over now for you. Tell your dad it’ll all be ok. He can invite us to his next exclusive event as payment!”
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With great pomp and ceremony and as if nothing had happened he calmly presented Lionel with the pizza and declared, “Here you go, it was just staying warm in the oven for you. I hope you enjoy.”
Lionel took one bite and said “Wow, this is the best gluten free pizza I have ever tasted! Thank you so much Maurice for providing for me so well. I feel so welcomed in Vandkyeville that I’m going to leave the big city for good and make my home here with you all.” |
Carlotta carefully removed the delicious smelling pizza from the oven, boxed it up and handed it to her husband to load into his bike. With a roar of his engine he took off in the direction of the Country Manor House.
When he arrived Maurice was anxiously marching up and down awaiting the arrival of the special pizza! He’d never been so relieved in his life as when he saw Giuseppe riding up the driveway. As soon as Giuseppe had unloaded the box he snatched it and with a hurried thank you dashed back into the house. Maurice was so pleased and proud that his party had resulted in a new, important and distinguished resident and so relieved that his negligence in catering hadn’t been found out that even if he had spotted a certain fox with his nose in the cream cake, he may have turned a blind eye. Though you and I know better- don’t we?
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