Tonia Tortoise had only been away a few short days in York. But it felt like aeons to those in the Jolly House.
All those that were there, welcomed Tonia's return. She always exuded a sort of calmness. And as soon as she stepped through the front door, everyone felt it. In a short space of time, she had her luggage taken to her room, persuaded Catrina Chameleon to sit down with her while Simon Snake made them a drink, and caught up with all the news on their friend, Derek Dodo.
‘Derek must be beside himself,’ Catrina said worriedly.
‘That’s only natural. But what a silly Derek he’s turned out to be. I will have a long talk with him when he’s back,’ Tonia said.
‘That’s if we ever get him back.’ Catrina said sadly. 'And Dusty Dog is stuck in traffic with very little petrol and no petrol station for miles and miles. What if he gets stranded? Who's free to - '
‘That will do, child,’ said Tonia smiling gently. ‘Now, I insist you go and rest. You may be heading this rescue operation, but I will not permit you to do one more thing until you are refreshed. Whatever happens, and when it does, we’ll deal with it. Go on now, scoot! Don’t make me pull rank on you.’
Catrina laughed. Because whenever Tonia said that, it always made her feel safe and looked after.
With Catrina gone, Tonia looked across the table and winked at the only other resident in the kitchen. ‘Hiss it out, Simon. I can feel you’re bursting to tell me.’
Uncoiling, Simon raised himself. ‘My fellow authors have been analysing Derek’s habits and traits and sending ideas as to where he may have gone. And…’ he paused for effect.
‘And?’ Tonia encouraged.
‘The motorway service stations!’
‘What about them?’
‘Well, if he tried hitching a ride to York – ’
Tonia interrupted him. ‘But of course! That makes sense. Will you get in touch with Officer Preeti and tell her? Easy enough for her to call them. In the meanwhile, who’s this Yolanda?’
There was an almighty disturbance. ‘Me!’ said Yolanda Unicorn bursting into the kitchen.
‘Well, well. Very pleased to meet you, Yolanda. I’ve heard a lot about you. I’m Tonia.’
‘You’ve heard a lot about me? I find it disconcerting when I’m told that! What have you heard? Is it good? Is it bad? No, no, no. Don’t tell me because it’ll upset me and take days and days to get over it, or I’ll just get big-headed and then I won’t be able to focus and do what I’m supposed to do.’ Yolanda finally paused for breath.
Speaking with a smile in her voice. Tonia said, ‘We need you. If Simon shows you roughly whereabouts on that map Dusty Dog could be, could you go give Dusty the help he needs?’
‘What? The missing numbers have doubled?’
‘Strictly speaking he’s not missing. This is more of a preventative mission,’ Simon said.
‘Preventative? Like preventing a disaster. Golly! I rather like the sound of that. My magic dust is ready and at your service,’ Yolanda said, fidgeting, eager to be off and pawing the ground.
‘And we’re very grateful to you. Excuse me but I must go do what’s necessary. It's more urgent at my age. Oh, erm, Yolanda Unicorn? A big warm, welcome to Jolly House. I look forward to meeting you again.’ By the time Tonia reached the hallway, Yolanda had magicked out of sight and by the time she reappeared, Yolanda had returned with a dog.
'That's not Dusty!' exclaimed Tonia and Simon simultaneously. When they saw the perplexed look on Yolanda's face, they realised they had no pictures of Dusty. And if they couldn't show Yolanda what Dusty looked like, he would probably keep making the same mistake. 'And it's wasting time,' said Simon.
Tonia said, 'We need Stewart Sloth to paint a picture of Dusty. I hope he's around.'
'I can easily find him. I've met Stewart,' Yolanda said and disappeared.
13th Jolly House story. Copyright of Robyn Cain, September 2024
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