“Do you know what time the fireworks begin? 8:30? Thanks. I was afraid I didn’t have time to get something to eat. This is my first Wool Week event. Are they all like this? Wonderful, of course! Boy, that’s a beautiful necklace. Toni’s Boutique? Maybe I’ll sneak in there before I eat. Sure, I’d love the company. So, what do you recommend: to eat or drink . . . or both . . .” Giggling. “Mabel! When did you get here?”
“Sorry to run, but we’re going into Toni’s shop for a quick minute. Maybe we can grab a bite to eat later. Which purse? Well, I think it’d be just darling with your new dress. Did you buy the dress at The Boutique? It fits like it was tailor made– It was?! You made that dress?! You should open a little sewing shop. I’d be your first customer. Hey, the crowd has thinned the tiniest little bit over there. Well, it’s now or never. Let’s get in there, girls, before another wave pushes us down the street. I want to get back in time to get something wrapped by Jill and Silver.”
[This is just a super cute picture of Mabel that I wanted you all to see. She is a very quiet girl and has nothing to say right now.]
“Oh, Silver! It’s just wonderful! Wanna know a secret? The necklace is for me. It isn’t actually a gift, but I’ve been admiring that silver mylar wrap all evening. Ooooh! I think I’ll save it for my Epiphany gift. Epiphany? January 6? The 12th day of Christmas? When the Wise Men bring you a present in exchange for a little hay for their camels to eat? No, I’m not making that up. ‘Three Kings Day’ is celebrated around the world. Anyway, I’m going to put it somewhere in the house where I can see it all the time until then. I’ve never had a gift so beautiful before. Thank you for being here tonight and doing this. It’s been a dream-like evening!”
“Mabel, would you mind answering a few questions? What do you think of Main Street’s new look? Have you been down to the Diner yet? Oh, my dear, you need to get down there. The music is a hoot, and Harold is offering to do his 10 Wonderful Reason list for anyone who looks even mildly interested. Oh, yes, I’ve sat through it three times already. Well, someone has to act interested. It makes Harold so happy to have an audience. Besides, he gives you extra toppings if you listen all the way through.” Giggling.
“That dress is simply divine, Mabel! Where did you get it? Did you have to go off-island, or did Toni get that in for you? And the purse makes quite a statement with it. No, way! Have you ever thought of sewing for other people? Well, you should, you know. Patty, don’t you agree? Mabel’s dress! She made that herself!”
“Did I hear Jill say that you made that dress you’re wearing? Oh, my dear, you really need to think about opening a shop. Am I right, Patty, or what? Maybe you could rent a corner of The Boutique. Well, talk to Toni and think about it. And, once you’re ready, we can discuss your advertising campaign in the Gazette. After all, the Islandshire Gazette is how everyone finds out what’s going on. And you would be news, my dear. Stop by the office some time, and we’ll talk.”
“Cornish pasty, Trudy? You’re welcome. If you change your mind, you know where to find me. Sorry, but I haven’t seen her in a while. Try down by the Portrait stand. Inside P&E? Well, if I see her, I’ll tell her you’re looking for her. Can you see the crowd behind you? Is Benny still sitting with Flossie on the bench over there? Thanks. Think I’ll stroll over and keep him company.”
“Thought I’d come over and give you a break, but I see there’s barely room for you on the bench. Still shopping, huh?”
“Hey, man, there isn’t even room for me on this bench anymore. And this is Nanea’s idea of ‘no more than we can carry home’. Just look at that! She bought so much stuff at Bunty’s shop that they actually had to give her packing boxes to carry it in. I’ve already explained to Flossie that she’s going to have to walk home, but she’s really only interested in the people and popcorn. Of course, I’m kidding. What do you take me for? Anyway, mind babysitting for a couple of minutes? I’ve just got to take a break. And could you do me another favor, please? Raise Harold on the walkie talkie and ask him to get a whole pineapple pizza ready to go. Nanea’s going to be tired after all this fun, so we’ll just eat pizza tomorrow. Thanks, man.”
“Hey, don’t run away yet. If you run into Pete and Mina while you’re out there, tell them to meet me at the Diner at, say, the top of the hour. It’ll be time by then to start setting up the fireworks, and I want to make sure they have everything they need. Thanks, Benny . . . Hey, do I have to walk the chicken or anything like that? Okay, well, the two of us can sit here and people watch.”
“Excuse me for one minute, girls . . . ‘Harold. Come in, Harold. How’s it going down there? No, I didn’t call you just to ask that. Benny’s on his way over for a whole Hawaiian pizza pie to go and asked me to give you a heads-up. Hey, can you turn that music down for a minute? It’s hard to understand you. What? Over and out. Signing off. Roger– Forget it, Harold. Bye for now.’ Sorry about that, girls. What can I do for you? No, I think she’s had all the popcorn Benny wants her to have. Yes, she is cute roosting there like that. I have no idea what’s in there, but Nanea could tell you. Yeah, I guess it’s okay. Never gave much thought to gift wrap before. Who? Lori? Sorry, but it’s hard to hear above all this noise. I think I saw her go into Bunty’s store.”
“What do you think about this, Kelly? I think she’d love it. Yep, this is a great way to polish off a load of our Christmas shopping. What have you got there?”
“It’s a small needlefelted sheep. It’s absolutely precious and just perfect for her. What else do you buy someone who has everything?” Giggling. “The tag says it’s a– a– What does this say? Why do they print the type so small these days? Well, put your glasses on and read this for me. I forgot to put my contacts in this morning. Hey, did you see those sheep and ornaments over there? There, behind you. Under the ornaments. Boy, Lori, you really need to put your glasses on.”
“Okay, so we need one of these and that blue ball you’re holding. How about a souvenir mug? What? Wrapped or unwrapped? Um, let’s pass on the mug.”
“There! All re-stocked. These afghans are selling like hotcakes, aren’t they? Maybe all of us in the Redhead Club should spend the next year knitting and crocheting for Wool Week 2022. Wouldn’t that be fun? Hey, Bunty, would you call Harold and ask him to come over to the shop for a minute? I want to show him something. I know he’s busy. He’s alwaysbusy. But one of the other boys can take over for a minute or two. Oh, just give me the walkie talkie. ‘Pizza Boy. Oh, Pizza Boy. Come in. Brighton here. We need you in the Sheep Shop. Oh, Pizza Boy!’ This thing doesn’t work, Bunty. What button? Oh, I didn’t know that. ‘Pizza Boy. Calling Pizza Boy. Meet me outside the Sheep Shop right away. Toodle pip.’ Well, I thought he might come faster if he thought it was you calling. Are you kidding? Of course, he’ll know it was you. Because that’s how you always say good-by. It is, too. Oh, never mind. I’m going out for a minute.”
“Hey, Mina. Something’s up at Bunty’s place. Can you take over for me? No, I don’t think it’ll be long. I’ll radio you if I’m gonna be gone more than a couple o’ minutes. Thanks. Anybody wants me, just tell ’em I’ll be back in a few. And you’ll have to hit the repeat button for the music. I know, but I don’t have time to fix that right now.”
“Thanks for coming so fast, Harold! I thought you would, if I signed out like that. It was me, though, who called. Harold, look at those notecards in the middle of the window. I’ve been watching people buy them all evening, and I think you need to go in right away and buy a few.”
“Notecards? Why?”
“What do you mean why? They’re just what you need for your CHRISTMAS CARDS! Sorry, didn’t mean to shout. And if you ever send a note to anyone for any reason, they’re exactly what you need. Come, on. I’ll show you where she’s keeping them.”
“Hang on a minute, Brighton. I haven’t seen these before. Hey, Bunty! What’s with the little needlefelted sheep? I haven’t seen these before, have I? Well, I don’t remember being there. Anway, do you have one here made from Sheepie’s wool? You do? Where? Oh, here it is.”
“Look at this, Brighton. And Bunty used Sheepie’s very own wool to make it. I definitely need this. Now, what about those notecards?”
“Here’s your little Sheepie, Harold. You want what? Notecards? Are you sure? Did Brighton say why you needed notecards? Well, great minds think alike! I don’t think it was a silly question.” Giggling. “Seriously, though, I still have some left, but are you sure? What was her idea? Christmas cards?! Oh, my goodness! Why didn’t I think of that? Maybe I should carry Christmas cards in the shop next year. Sorry. Sure, how many do you want? All of them? Well, one, two, three, four– Harold, there are 27 of them here! Okay. Let me have your bag, and I’ll slide them in with little Sheepie. You’re welcome, and thanks– Oh, that’s the radio. Hang on, it might be for you. ‘Bunty here. Right, Mina, I’ll send him right over.'”
“I’d love to chat, Harold, but Mina says things are out of control at the Diner. We’ll meet up for the fireworks later. Hmm? Sorry. I forgot. Why do we have to talk like that on the walkie talkies? Well, if you say so. Over and out, Harold. That means our talk is over and you need to get out. Well, Trudy thought it was funny. Didn’t you, Trudy? Yeah . . . boys.”
“I’m sorry, but someone just came in and bought them all. Have you seen the handpainted ornaments? How about a Wool Week souvenir mug, or a needlefelted sheep, or . . .”