In the Jolly House’s kitchen there were several residents enjoying lunch. But one of them hadn’t touched his food at all, and that was Simon Snake. He was impatiently waiting for his best friend, Bobby Bookworm.
A week ago he’d given the draft of his book, Simon’s Bucket List, to Bobby for his opinion because he valued it.
And, Bobby, whose reading list was extensive, always prioritised Simon’s writing.
It was Derek Dodo’s turn to wash up. ‘Simon, shall I clear your plate away?’ he asked. When Simon didn’t answer, he asked again. Ignored yet again, Derek lifted Simon’s tail and rattled it.
‘What? What?’ Simon was startled. Derek pointed. ‘Oh, erm, sorry.’ He nodded. On seeing Bobby in the doorway, he slithered hurriedly off his chair to greet him.
Bobby smiled. ‘I liked it sooo much!’
‘Phew.’ That was good enough for Simon. Bobby never lied. His memory for recalling story lines was incomparable.
‘I especially liked the bit about wanting to meet Jill the famous blogger.’
‘She’s real you know.’
‘I do know. Plus I’ve read some of her recommendations on her Jill’sbookcafe site. Come on, let’s go to the park and we can compare what we’ve read from her lists.’
Dusty Dog was just coming through the front door as they stepped out. They told her where they were going and she said it was a good day for it.
At the park the two friends sat and smiled at the waddling ducks quacking and the pigeons pecking at crumbs that the ducks, geese and swans had missed. All of a sudden, Simon nudged Bobby and whispered, ‘Wow! She’s even prettier in real life. Don’t look but you won’t believe who is heading this way.’
Pushing up his glasses, Bobby looked. ‘OMG, it’s her! It’s Jill.’
‘I told you not to look,' hissed Simon.
‘Hello guys. Beautiful day isn’t it,’ commented Jill as she walked past the pair.
6th Jolly House story. Copyright of Robyn Cain, April 2024
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