The Hedgerow Diaries

Hi Bloggers
The excerpt as promised:

No!” said Jack. “We will stay here and make sure they are alright. They are our friends and let’s not forget that!” “OK!” They all said, unenthusiastically.

“Everyone, meet my new friend, Herbert Bogmuncher.” announced Drake. Drake explained to Donnella about the hobgoblins plight and that they are a dying race and they need help. Their answer lay in the Wah Wah tribe where the child of Gabriel lived. The hobgoblins needed to find out if it was a boy or a girl. Their very existence depended on it.                                                 “I’m sorry I reacted like I did” apologised Donnella, “It’s been a very upsetting twenty four hours. Please sit with us.” Herbert sat and almost squashed the hedgerow with the fairies hiding in it. “Sorry! I am a bit bigger than you.” Herbert apologised. They sat and talked for hours. Petunia whispered, “We had better go, Elgar will be worried and will come looking for us if we do not leave soon.” “OK!” Jack replied, “Let’s sneak off quietly.”

The fairies made their way back to the old oak tree, only to bump into Elgar, just as Petunia had predicted, he had come looking for them. “We have been worried sick about you all.” said Elgar, “Where have you been?”                                                                                                                  “Let’s get back home. I will explain everything when we get there!” Petunia promised him.

Back at the old oak tree the elves were scurrying about all looking very worried.                        “Thank goodness you are alright!” they said.                                                                                 “Now, sit down and tell us about your adventures.” Elgar requested. They sat together. Foster had gathered some food, nothing like Daphne ever puts together, but it was edible, and the fairies told them all about their very eventful day, but, excluded the part about the hobgoblin arriving with Drake, because, they knew that Elgar would not be at all happy. The discussions went on for a good few hours because the elves kept interrupting and asking questions.

Eventually Petunia said, “I’m really tired, I’m off to get some sleep.”

The fairies went their separate ways to their own mushrooms and hideouts. Just like the previous night Daphne heard a moaning noise, the same as she had heard before. This time she got up to have a look. Petal hadn’t noticed she was far too tired to wake up, as it had been a long day.

“Hello!” Daphne whispered, “Is there anybody there? Hello!” The moaning got louder.             “Where are you?” asked Daphne.                                                                                           “Here!” said a very weak voice. Daphne headed toward the voice, she looked closer.  It was Tony, the tawny owl that had performed the ceremony at Blossom and Jacks wedding.

“Tony!” she declared, “We have been looking everywhere for you! What has happened to you?” He was very shaken and distressed.                                                                                             “Can you get up Tony?” Daphne asked him. “No! I can’t move.  It’s my wing and my leg. A huge monster knocked me out of the hedgerow a couple of nights ago as it walked past.

“That must have been Herbert when he came for Drake!” she exclaimed. “Please! Can you help me Daphne?” Tony pleaded.                                                                                                          “Of course I can,” she said, “I’m just going to get a firefly so I can see what’s going on, I won’t be long Tony, don’t worry.”                                                                                                                “I’m not going anywhere.” He replied weakly. Daphne quickly set about getting long leaves to bind his leg and wing to help them mend. Some berries, to give him energy and some of her potions to rub on the bruised areas.

It only took her a few minutes for her to acquire everything she needed to help Tony.

She made him comfortable for the night and got something to sleep on so she could be by his side to monitor him. She told Petal where she was going so that she wouldn’t worry about her, but, she was so sleepy, Daphne didn’t think she had heard her properly, but she felt better for telling her.

She would explain everything to her in the morning. Tony was comfortable and Daphne settled down for the rest of the night.

As dawn broke, Petal was panicking. She thought the hobgoblins had taken Daphne. She had vague recollections of Daphne telling her something but she couldn’t remember what she had said.

“Oh my goodness! Oh my goodness!” she kept saying to herself. She went over to Blossom’s place, “We have lost Daphne!” she blurted out. “It’s my fault, she told me something and I can’t remember what she told me.”                                                                                                          “Calm down Petal.” Blossom consoled her. Then, under the hedgerow, they saw Daphne. “What’s going on Daphne?” asked Blossom, “Petal is distraught! Where have you been?”

“Do you remember that moaning we heard the other night? It was Tony. He is badly injured, I heard him again last night, and I went looking and found him and took care of his injuries. I then slept by his side, to keep a check on him. He has  broken a leg and a broken wing, but, I think he will be alright in a few weeks.” Daphne said.                                                                                “Poor Tony!” Petal commented.                                                                                                  “Do you think he will manage my wedding next week?” asked Blossom very sheepishly.

“I do not believe you Blossom, it’s all about you isn’t it?” Daphne snapped.

She was so angry she flew off to be with her patient.

Enjoy

Polly x