Rapture 2: Pitchforks and Po-face!
Well! Some excitement here, but most important for me, I am not a retired teddy! Hurrah hurrah! Happy days and more happy pages lie ahead. But I must tell you what has happened.
They did indeed come for Mr. Rick – all trumpets and “ah ah ahhs” and lots of flashing lights which was very pretty. We all watched from the bedroom window, but poor Miss Gwen thought it best to go under the bed. Mr. Herbert was nowhere to be seen – this stuff is not for cats.
Mr. Caerthan was scratching his head, and not quite sure what to do, but then Mr. Rick comes running out of the barn with the pitchfork and makes some very good jabs at some angel who is about to divest him of his wellies, beloved shorts and smelly jumper. A second angel held out a sparkly standard issue heavenly robe.
Mr. Rick (slightly anxious): “There’s no way in hell am I wearing that, and I’m not going anywhere without my dog or my teddy!”
I felt a glow of pride, but did wonder about poor Mr. Caerthan and Mr. Herbert who weren’t mentioned in the heat of that extraordinary moment.
The trumpets and “ah ah ahhs” all stopped …
A very po-faced angel thundered – quite unpleasantly, I might add: “No teddies or animals allowed – it’s in the bible.” I have always known that book is most unfair.
Mr. Rick stood his ground, pitchfork held high.
A slightly nicer angel had a go: “There really is no choice, now just put on the robes.”
Mr. Rick stood his ground – jab jab.
The angels did a bit of murmuring in the corner by the cherry tree, and finally Slightly Nicer Angel said: “Okay. We’ll make an exception. You can bring your dog and the teddy. Now put on the robes.”
Well, I thought that was it. I turned to look at my good friend Mr. Arthur – was this an unexpected and sudden goodbye? I felt a great sadness come over me. Normally a teddy is glad to accompany his or her charge, but on this occasion I could not help but feel some trepidation – me and Miss Gwen were about to go where we were not welcome. Miss Gwen had shuffled up to the window, but returned to the safety of the bed – she obviously did not like the idea either.
Mr. Rick: “So … I can take my dog …”
Slightly Nicer Angel (getting impatient): “Yes!!“.
Mr. Rick: “… and my teddy …..”
Slightly Nicer Angel (hissing and not so nice now): “YESSS!!!!“.
Mr. Rick: “So … how about a couple of alpacas?”
At this, Po-faced Angel made a most terrible roar. I am thinking the barn roof will come off and I hope the blue tits are safely in their nest. With a big crash and more trumpets they were gone (the angels and trumpets not the bluetits). I have to say it was all very grand!
At Pistyll Gwyn, we had sore ears and Mr. Rick was looking a bit silly with his pitch fork.
Mr. Caerthan said: “So what are we having for tea? Doctor Who’s on in half an hour.”
