On Thursday morning, when Wally the toadstool cuckoo was just bumbling out to mark our breakfast hour at nine, a silver four wheeled carriage rolled up at our front door. Picallilli Peasegood strolled out waving as she climbed the path to meet Pendragon ,who greeted her with a gay "Hello" and a cheery smile. I was nearly ready to leave with one arm in my black waterproof overcoat,and one lace -up slipper boot on my left foot. I was also in the midst of consuming my bran lattice oaty bits,so there was much going on. She seemed primed and ready to make an early start so I gave Pendragon the remains of my breakfast feast,shoved the other arm in my overdrape and with the other slipperboot in my hand ,headed for the door.Pendragon put his arm out to stop me,and insisted that I put my other slipperboot on, so concerned was he that I might fall headlong on to the concrete path. I gave him a mighty farewell kiss,much to Piccallilli's amusement,and headed off to join her at the front of her streamlined all purpose carriage. We were heading for Metropolis to a mercantile full of betrothal bits and pieces. Piccallilli's daughter is getting betrothed in September ,and Piccallilli is making the betrothal cake herself. She was also looking for gift bags and thank you cards. I was just there to have a look and get some idea of what was available for smart betrothals.
We arrived early,to find the mercantile was not open yet. We walked around window shopping for fifteen minutes,rather than hang about outside the mercantile door. In that time we had window- bought a pair of shoes, some parchments, a skirt and overblouson in khaki shades, and a bundle of cheap tea-cloths. It is always cheaper window- shopping rather than parting with one's hard earned geld. Pendragon would be proud of my restraint.
We were first in the betrothal mercantile,so had the full attention of the owner. Piccallilli scuttled to and fro in her black cut -off capri pants,gathering her wanted bits and pieces. I just schmoozed around looking at this and that,but to be honest ,I did not see anything I would have bought. I have seen much nicer pieces in my electronic box catalogues,and intend to send away for most of what I want.
We headed off out into a cloudy morning after Piccallilli paid for her purchases. She used her eagle-sharp eyes to spot a coffee haunt where we could find our favourite thirst quenchers and gossip away the rest of our outing.
Two acorn decaff. lattes and a shared skinny blueberry muffin were duly ordered and we sat in the cafe window to renew our lives since we had last seen each other.Piccallilli has been under a lot of stress over the last few weeks due to her partner and her daughter rowing over betrothal plans. That is what can happen when too many elven folk want to take responsibility for the event. If they had any sense at all they would just leave it to Piccallilli,so good are her organising skills. She seemed a little down at all of this aggravation,but Picci is never down for long,and soon we were drinking large gulps of latte,and laughing over recent ploys.
I told her all my news,about our on-going wedding plans, my new job selling parchments,and my new role with the Daily Scandal. Picci loves gossip,and has promised to pass on any juicy titbits she comes across. Her snippets are always god,but I am not sure how printable they are !
Our conversation turned to Dingley Dell,as it always does. She was fond of her role there,but is as dismayed as myself at the downturn in the Academy's misfortunes under the new regime. Piccallilli had recently helped them out on a trip to foreign climes and was full of stories of misdeeds, misbehaviours and poor treatment at the hands of certain members of Staff. She will not offer to help again,and that will be a great pity,as she has much to offer the little sprites and their parents.
She returned me home to my toadstool by the sea,where Pendragon was waiting with open arms. He was only around long enough to pay the goblin cleaners who were power washing the exterior of our Sun Room,and then he flung his elven arms tight around me and headed off to the Metropolis himself.
I had a small and healthy lunch of salad leaves with lentil loaf,before heading to the Ladies of Mercy Charity shop with two large bags of goods which Pendragon and I no longer needed.
The Ladies were very grateful as always,and said an emotional thank you for my having considered them.
I hovered for a while looking for any worthwhile parchments in stock .There were many to rummage through,and as i appraised each one ,I also had time to notice the busy work of the Ladies themselves.
Lettice Wallmangle was on the counter and Parsimonia Tinkle was tidying up the shelves. I always find it peculiar that whoever is on the counter never seems to notice when customers stand there. I have sometimes dangled for twenty minutes,alongside others, while Lettuce primped some item or looked through her copy of the "Elven Companion",unaware that time was ticking by and you were waiting for attention. And I wonder why one of them always wants to tidy the parchment shelves when you are looking through them.
Parsimonia is very guilty of annoying the elf out of you ,as you attempt to sort out a purchase or two. She did it yesterday again to me. She suddenly appeared at my elbow,demanding to be allowed to tidy the whole display,while I was clearly in the middle of selecting. Of course I let her get on with it.
The Ladies of Mercy are not young,and must be allowed a foible or two, so great is their commitment to raising funds for the elven less fortunate.
I eventually chose five fine examples of elven literature and took them over to Lettuce. She was sorting out knitting needles in a tall tin,and seemed engrossed. I sensed I could still be here at supper time. She was counting them very slowly,and I knew I had a problem building when she stopped,eyed them up and started counting them again.
I broke my silence and merrily quipped, " That's a thankless job you've got there".
She looked up .sensed a kindred spirit, and went into a ten minute treatise on all the other thankless jobs she had to do in the Charity shop. I smiled and kept smiling,while gently shoving the parchments further under her nose.
Eventually Lettuce took the bait and wrapped them up in a jaunty paper bag.
I knew I had done well by listening to her when she leaned over the counter, touched her finger to her pointy elven nose and said in a conspitorial manner ,"That will be seventy elven pence".
I was about to protest that this was incredibly cheap for such incredibly good parchment materials,when she continued," That's all we are going to charge."
I accepted graciously, handed over my geld and hastened past Parsimonia without stopping or looking,in case she decided to tidy me as well before I left the shop.
The parchments are very good quality and are lucky finds,so I have Lettuce to thank for such a fine day's work.
Tonight I will occupy myself with a fine tea of cucumber and tomato quiche,with more salad leaves,and a measure of cranberry wine. Pendragon is dining with colleagues after a late meeting in Metropolis. He will stay at his city toadstool overnight,and join me for lunch at the Buttercup Bistro tomorrow. I am looking forward to a restful weekend before I start my artistic week with the artist Daedalus Cinquefoil in Metropolis on Monday. Five days of professional tuition in the artistic ways of the Influential Movement. Seascapes,landscapes,cityscapes and collages- all will come under the spell of my paintbrush before the end of the week.
If you are in Metropolis this week,my dear friends, stay alert and keep well away from itinerant artists who may have your figurative structure within their sights. But please be kind and encouraging to all who answer to the name of Amarantha,the Willow-the Wisp,the Rainbow Faery.
PS. The Fearless Faery next door tells me she has bought a new mackintosh. Designer and with a belt. And I came across Jeraboa Dagwort at the cheap wine bins in the Supermercantile today. No surprise there then.
