Puppy Pie by Sam Jasper Page A

the notebook.’
    â€˜Gull,’ Helen says suddenly, ‘I think I can hear a truck at the top gate. Why don’t you run out and meet them?’
    In a flash, Gull is running along the veranda to the front door. She sprints up the long driveway and is halfway up when she sees them.
    â€˜See you’re giving the horses a bit of freedom,’ Tom declares as the cousins and Gull walk back towards the “Folly”. ‘Can you help me bring them in after dinner?’
    Gull nods. ‘Helen’s awake and talking to Shirley on the veranda.’
    Together, the four of them walk out onto the veranda.
    â€˜You all look pooped,’ Helen says giving them each a hug. ‘Guess Harry’s working you hard?’
    â€˜And Jimmy. And Ted,’ Tom adds looking sharply at Shirley. She can’t help laughing.
    â€˜How’s it all going?’ Helen asks seriously.
    â€˜Well, the Harvesters are working flat out gathering whatever’s left standing,’ Jake says.
    Lucy says, ‘Ted reckons it’ll take another few weeks.’
    â€˜If no more falls over,’ Jake adds.
    â€˜What about the scything? Is it working?’ Shirley asks worried.
    â€˜Yeah, it is,’ Lucy grins. ‘But it’s hard work. Those old farmers are really tough. Especially “Young Fred”.’ Lucy, Tom and Jake start to laugh. ‘You should hear those old farmers talking,’ she says.
    â€˜Saying they knew there’d come a day when they’d be needed again,’ Jake adds.
    â€˜Instead of being put out to pasture by their children,’ Lucy giggles.
    Helen and Shirley look at each other startled.
    â€˜Don’t worry, Mum,’ Lucy adds, catching their look, ‘we’d never do that to you and Dad.’
    â€˜No, we’d make sure we used you up and worked you to death before that happened,’ Tom grins.
    â€˜Thanks a lot kids,’ Helen says trying not to laugh.
    â€˜Well, at least you know where you stand,’ Shirley says. ‘Oh, look at the time: it’s almost seven. Ted will be wondering …’
    â€˜When he’s ever going to get home,’ Lucy cuts in quickly. ‘He’s harvesting until last light. So are Dad and Jimmy.’
    â€˜In that case,’ Helen says firmly, ‘you, Shirley, are staying for dinner. And as I’m the most rested, I’m making dinner.’
    â€˜I’ll help,’ Shirley and Gull chime in together.
    â€˜As for you three, you can head for the showers. You’re filthy! Just throw your clothes into the washing machine,’ Helen instructs.
    â€˜And add powder. And turn it on,’ Shirley says slowly. Lucy and the twins laugh: it’s a standing joke at Shirley’s house. They know this is the part of the washing that Ted pretends he hasn’t figured out yet.
    â€˜Dinner’s in half an hour!’ Helen yells up the stairs after them. ‘And don’t use up all the hot water. And be quick.’

Chapter 6
    Slowly, Harry climbs out of bed the next morning. It’s still dark. Half asleep, he has a quick wash, pulls on some old clothes and pads down to the kitchen. He puts the kettle on and throws some bread in the toaster. Taking two fresh eggs from the egg basket, he fills a saucepan with water, places the eggs in it and puts it on the stove.
    â€˜Hi, Harry.’
    Harry spins around. With her white-blonde hair even more tousled than usual, Gull is standing just inside the kitchen in her striped blue pyjamas.
    â€˜Hi, honey,’ Harry answers. ‘Boiled egg?’ he asks as he grabs another one. Gull nods. ‘I’ve got tea and toast on the go,’ he says smiling. ‘By the way, what are you doing up so early? Can’t you sleep? Country air usually makes city folk sleepy.’
    â€˜It’s not that,’ Gull says. ‘I wanted to ask your permission.’
    â€˜For what?’
    Gull takes a deep breath.