Still, what does make sense in Nature?

Anyway to heck with Nature.

I’m not interested in Nature. I am only interested in Alex.

Alex in his velveteen breeches.

And flouncy shirt.

Alex who said, “Hello, Green Eyes.”

And, “Hope to see you in a couple of weeks.”

And who said, “Lots of love.”

And put three kisses.

That Alex.

I am keeping his letter under my pillow. Maybe I should write a letter back. Hmmm.

Night-night, Dream Boy.

Night-night, world.

I’m not an ice cream, I’m a human being!

THE NEXT DAY I woke up to the pitter-pattering of light hail on my window. The church bells chimed nine o’clock but it’s still so dark it could be nighttime. I got out of my snuggly squirrel bed and had a look out of the window. Brrrr. This is the life, minus fifty degrees. There is a slight frost on the window. On the inside. When I rubbed it away I could see that even the sheep are huddling together for warmth.

And they are practically walking jumpers.

I don’t know what to wear. Something cozy but glam. Thick tights and my new short green wool skirt, black top, and new leather over-the-knee boots?

And a hat so that the hail can’t take all the bouncy bounce out of my hair.

I don’t want the Tree Sisters to think I have let myself go.

When I was fully togged up, I went downstairs into the kitchen.

Even though it is Antarctic conditions, the Dobbinses have left a note to say that after church they are going out on their Earth Sky walk with the young Christian Table Tennis Team. They were sorry I was missing it. Well, they are on their own there!

I had a crumpet and some honey and milky coffee. The honey is local of course. Harold is obsessed with local produce. I bet he knows the bees by name. And has made them little winter cloaks like his. And is paying their tuition fees to Bee Academy. So they can better themselves and get out of the worker-bee trap.

Oooooh, I am so excited my legs are wiggling around for no reason. They are uncontrollable. They might calm down when I shove them in my boots.

I feel soooo lucky to be here. It feels great to have proper friends and to be on the brink of being a showbiz legend. Or, well, being on the course.

I know it’s childish but I wanted to dance and sing with pleasure. I only wish I could do either.

Anything goes in the crazy world of theater, dahling. I might be discovered and asked to be Maria in The Sound of Music in the West End. That would make Alex know I was proper girlfriend material, and not some little girl with nobbly knees.

I can imagine myself in the Swiss Alps actually. In a big flouncy dress dancing with goats. “‘The hills are alive with the sound of music … lalalala … with songs they have sung for a thousand years …’”