Hodgekiss just smiled and then changed the subject, “Oh look, Polly. Here are some of my good friends coming over to say hello.”
As the group walked over in their direction, Polly’s jaw dropped open, for his friends all took on the appearance of beams of sunlight and were covered in long, white robes from head to toe. Massive wings covered in white feathers grew from their shoulder blades.
“Polly, allow me to introduce you to Michael; and this here is Gabriel; and then there’s Harmony, Purity, and Sapphire. And this here is Orpheus; and then Raphael—he’s been dying to meet you; and then there’s…”
The list of introductions seemed to go for an eternity. Polly found herself surrounded by these angelic beings. Polly stood with a stupefied look on her face as her eyes met with Raphael. She felt really strange and most peculiar, for she felt as though she knew him from somewhere else. No, that was ridiculous. She’d never been here before. Besides, when had she ever met a celestial being that glowed from head to toe and dressed in a white robe? As Polly looked him up and down, her eyes hit on his feet, and she found herself having to take a deep breath.
“Those boots look exactly like the ones Ralph used to wear. In fact, I can see the same striped socks poking through the ends,” she gasped.
She covered her mouth and at the same time thought that she really was losing her marbles. As she pointed towards his feet, flowers began to spring up from between his bootlaces and then out of all the holes in his worn-out boots.
Raphael pretended to be embarrassed. “Oops, I forgot to take them off at the door,” he said most apologetically as all the angelic beings gave him a playful look of disapproval.
“Well, Polly, I have no idea who this Ralph character is, but tell me please, do his boots spring flowers?” Gabriel interrupted, at the same time giving a sly wink in Raphael’s direction as he tried to cover up Raphael’s little indiscretion.
“Well no, they don’t, but I wish they did, for poor Ralph’s feet smell really bad,” Polly admitted with a giggle.
“Well then, we must meet Ralph sometime, Polly, even if it’s only to give him a change of socks,” said Gabriel, trying to look deadly serious. All gathered around began to laugh at that prospect.
“Anyway, Polly, we are all overjoyed to see you’ve finally made it to Piadora,” interjected Raphael. “And I do hope you stay a while, for we’ve all come up with some wonderful games to play, assuming you’re up for it.”
Polly giggled. “Yes, I’d really love to. But it will have to be later, for I’m meant to be spending some time with Thomas,” she said, pointing over to where he still sat on his stool, feverishly painting away on a large canvas. “Then I’m apparently expected to go to some classes,” she said, playfully pulling a long face as she spoke.
“Ah yes, dear Thomas,” said Michael, giving her a warm smile before turning back to address his companions. “Shall we tell her then?”
“Tell me what?” cried Polly, at the same time screwing up her forehead to make them fully aware that she was very puzzled.
“I’m not sure if we should, or shouldn’t,” replied Orpheus, breaking out into a giggle.
“Oh, go on. Let’s tell her,” Sapphire and Harmony eagerly chipped in.
“Well, all right, if you feel we must,” Raphael quickly responded. “But I think it would be best coming from you,” he said pointing at Michael to take over.
“Tell me! Please tell me!” cried Polly.
“Well, young Polly, cast your mind back to the day you visited the funeral director with Eton, your teddy bear,” Michael gently ordered.
“How could I forget?” replied Polly.
“Well then, you must remember the drama with all the feathers that blew out of the coffin?”
“Yes, go on,” said Polly, feeling quite uncertain as to where all this was leading.
“Well, it was us! Yes, we were responsible for all the mess,” cried Orpheus with an impish grin as he butted in, clearly anxious to be involved in revealing the truth behind that day.
“You lot!” cried Polly now feeling completely bewildered.
“Yes, us lot!” Raphael admitted rather sheepishly before going on to spill the beans. “Yes, Polly, we were all called to come and gather at the gates of Piadora the day that Thomas died. When the call came for volunteers to go down to collect him and then bring him back to Piadora, well, we all wanted to go. I must confess that it became a little bit of a race as to who could get there first.”
“Go on,” stuttered Polly, utterly amazed by all she was hearing.
“Well, when we got to the funeral parlor, we decided the only way to choose who among us was going to be given the honor was to have a little game of tag. Do you know that game, Polly?” asked Raphael.
Polly nodded.
“The idea was that whoever was not out at the end of the game got to be the one to bring Thomas back. We had such fun, Polly, but we also lost an awful amount of our feathers in the process,” he said with a grin.
“Yes, and you did a pretty poor job of tidying up, didn’t you?” Michael interrupted, pretending to be annoyed with them.
“That’s very true,” Sapphire piped up, “but we didn’t know what else to do when we heard the door handle turning. We couldn’t allow ourselves to be discovered, so we just quickly stuffed all our feathers into the coffin and hoped for the best,” she said, grinning from ear to ear before adding, “Oh, come on Michael, you have to admit it was very funny, although, we do promise never to make the same mistake again.”
Polly found herself laughing along with them as they went on to recall the crazy events that then took place at the funeral service.
“That was one of the best and funniest services we’ve ever attended!” said Harmony, flapping her wings as she failed to contain her excitement a moment longer.
“I don’t think Mrs. Scumberry would share your sentiments, Harmony. For I don’t believe she has fully recovered from that one,” Gabriel further reminded them all. “Yes, I would go as far as to say her pride was indeed seriously dented. At the end of the day, though, that is not a bad thing, for it introduced her to the emotion called humiliation. And as you all witnessed, she did not care much for it,” he said, his voice betraying a tone of compassion. “No, she really did not take kindly to the shoe being on the other foot.”
The whole group nodded in unison, their huge, beaming smiles lighting up their already brilliantly radiant faces. “Polly, please tell us you can see the funny side of it all?” Sapphire said, giving her a little nudge.
“Yes, I can see the funny side now, although I have to admit that at the time I did feel a little sorry for them both,” Polly confessed as she broke out into a gentle smile.
“Right then, everyone. Let’s have another game of tag,” Harmony very excitedly suggested as she turned to grab hold of Polly’s hand.
“I’d love to, really I would, but I want to spend some time with Thomas and then I am supposed to be attending some classes,” said Polly rather ruefully.
“Classes? Oh, how wonderfully exciting, Polly. You’ll really love the classes, just you wait and see. These are no ordinary classes,” said Gabriel reassuringly. “So, tell you what, Polly, we’ll hang around until you’ve done your classes and been to the banquet, and then we’ll have some fun.”
“Yes, by then you’ll be in need of some serious exercise to burn off the all the calories,” Harmony chipped in with a giggle. “So hurry up and go see Thomas before he starts another painting.”
Polly wasted no further time and immediately ran over to where Thomas sat painting with Eton close at his side. “Thomas, Thomas!” she breathlessly cried as she flung both arms around his neck, almost knocking him off his seat.
The celestial beings stood joyfully watching the pair as they hugged and wept in each other’s arms. Michael then turned to address the group of celestial beings, “Come my friends, for Polly and Thomas have much catching up to do, and although it is indeed wonderful to
witness such touching moments in time I do believe they should be allowed their privacy.”
Despite wanting to stay and continue witnessing this touching reunion, the group of celestial beings unanimously nodded their agreement and then vanished into thin air.
How long Polly stayed with Thomas is not recorded. But, it is enough to know that Polly had never felt happier or more content in the whole of her young life. Eventually, and with perfect timing, Hodgekiss returned and asked Polly to continue on with him.
“Thomas, it is almost time for you to put on your ‘glad rags’ and get yourself ready for the banquet,” he reminded him.
“I can’t wait,” Thomas replied. “But tell me, do I have time to paint just one more picture as a special present for my sister?” he asked as he broke into a smile that conveyed his state of pure contentment.
“Of course, Thomas. Carry on painting, and I’ll pop by later to check that you are ready,” replied Hodgekiss.
Polly popped one final kiss on Thomas’s forehead and told him she would catch up with him later.
“Carry on looking after Eton, Thomas. He seems really happy to be here with you,” were her last spoken words as she turned and waved him good-bye.
Chapter 37
APPLES GALORE
MINUTES LATER, AFTER walking over the beautifully manicured green lawn and passing by the most enormous fountain, complete with cherubs spouting water from their mouths, they finally arrived at the most stunningly magnificent building. In Polly’s mind, the place resembled Buckingham Palace, only better. It had huge marble and gold columns and the most ornate blanket of fresh flowers that carpeted the entire steps right up to the entrance.
Polly was afraid to walk on the carpet, for she did not wish to crush any of the delicate flowers underfoot. Hodgekiss felt her hesitancy and immediately placed his arm in hers as he encouraged her to continue on and climb up the steps. With each step she took, the flowers in front of her bloomed and then closed before blooming again. And as Polly glanced over her shoulder, she quickly saw that there was not one crushed flower, even though she had just stepped on their open petals. She could only marvel at the deliciously sweet aroma the flowers were emitting as she continued to make her way to top.
As she walked onwards, making her way toward the large, gold-encrusted doors, her eyes settled on the name that lit up above the doorway. “Wow, am I really going to the Royal Academy for Princesses in Training?” she exclaimed, open mouthed.
“Absolutely,” replied Hodgekiss, giving her arm a light friendly squeeze.
Polly was filled with immense trepidation from head to toe as she walked with Hodgekiss down the long white marble corridors.
“I think this is our first port of call,” Hodgekiss announced as he stopped halfway down a corridor and opened a side door. “Now, Polly, don’t be nervous. They are all expecting you,” he said as he gave her a gentle nudge to coax her through the door.
Polly followed Hodgekiss into the room, her eyes darting backwards then forwards as she scanned every inch of the room, taking in the faces of every child that sat behind the rows of desks.
As each child looked up and smiled in her direction, Polly had the strangest feeling that she intimately knew each and every one of them, even though she had never met any of them before! Then, as Polly redirected her eyes toward the blackboard at the front of the classroom, her eyes met with an extraordinarily huge mountain of rosy apples. Yes, they were piled high, almost to the ceiling.
“How peculiar!” was all Polly had the time to think before suddenly the mound of apples began to tumble down. Polly was momentarily lost for words as she watched all the apples tumble then roll across the floor, revealing the head and then shoulders of someone she had truly loved and lost.
“Grab a basket and catch them, children!” shouted the teacher as she grabbed an empty box and flung herself down onto the floor in an attempt to stop them escaping.
Finally, Polly found her tongue and let out a squeal of delight.
“Mrs. Bailey!” she cried as she raced over toward her.
“Why, if it’s not Polly Brown,” cried an equally delighted Mrs. Bailey as she got up from kneeling on the floor.
Mrs. Bailey put the box down and opened her arms to give Polly a hug. “Polly, it’s so lovely to see you, but you really must stop wishing to give me apples. I really love crunchy apples, but as you can clearly see, we are simply overwhelmed by the amount that arrive daily on my classroom desk,” she said, giving one of her infectious laughs that sent the whole class into fits of giggles.
“Yes, only last week we had to organize a truck to come and remove all the apples that were mounting up inside the classroom. It was making it very difficult, if not impossible, to teach my girls. They could no longer see me sitting behind my desk,” she said cheerily. “Oh, and last week, there was also a day when we discovered that we were no longer able to push open the classroom door due to the apples that were filling the entire classroom.” Polly did not know whether to laugh or cry. “I’m so glad you’ve made it, Polly, and I’m delighted to say that you’re just in time for our award ceremony. So come and sit down right beside me, and then we can begin,” Mrs. Bailey said, patting the chair beside her.
“Right then, children, we must as usual start our award ceremony with the school’s most wonderful motto. Who wants to stand up and recite it for Polly’s benefit? Please, one at a time, children, one at a time. All right then, we will let Ruby Turner do the honor today. So, come on, Ruby, and do remember to speak clearly. There’s a good girl.”
Ruby quickly stood up, her little face beaming from ear to ear. After straightening her dress, she gave a little cough and began: “Love is patient; love is kind. Love is giving to others, and choosing not to be blind. Love believes all things, hopes all things, and love never fails.”
“Splendid,” cried Mrs. Bailey gleefully as she enthusiastically clapped her hands together. “Now, my young princesses, I firmly believe that if you put our motto into practice, you will always come out trumps. But now I think we should move on to the awards presentation, for time is indeed marching on. Daisy Longtitude, please come out to the front of the class to receive your certificate and your gemstone for loyalty.”
Daisy stood up and rather shyly made her way to the front of the class to receive her award. “Now then, Daisy, please show all the class your special pebble.”
Daisy plunged her hand into her pocket and produced a pebble similar to the ones Polly had collected. On its smooth surface was inscribed the word loyalty. As she stood with her small hand outstretched, the pebble sitting in the palm of her hand instantly transformed into the most beautiful, sparkling pink gemstone.
“Well done, Daisy. And I have to say that it’s so good to see you following in all your delightful sisters’ footsteps. Now, how many of them have I taught in the past? Yes, let me see, there’s Philippa, Judith, and of course darling Harriet. Sadly for me, they’ve all moved up to Mrs. O’Brien’s class. Oh, how I already miss them all,” she said, giving a deep sigh. “As for Sebastian and Oliver, your two fine brothers, if I’m correct they too have also moved up to Mr. Beloski’s class.”
On hearing Mr. Beloski’s name mentioned, Polly made a loud gasp, covering her mouth quickly with her hand in order not to appear rude or thoughtless in the middle of such an important ceremony.
“Oh yes, the Longtitudes are indeed such a delightful family, and I really miss teaching them. And Daisy, it won’t be too long before you too move up a class to join your older sisters,” she said, giving another gentle sigh. “So Daisy, add this beautiful stone to your others, and remember to place it firmly into your crown next to your jewel for courage,” she said, patting Daisy on the head as she reminded her. “Oh, and I mustn’t forget to give you this,” she added, handing over an important-looking scroll. “This is your certificate of authenticity.”
“Thank you so much, Mrs. Bailey,” said Daisy rather shyly before breaking out into a smile
so huge that her cute golden locks appeared to give a twirl. Daisy then gave a rather awkward curtsy before heading back to her seat.
“Daisy dear, you really do need to work on your curtsy, for princesses are not required to do balancing acts! A royal curtsy must have flow and be graceful, so as you need to learn more poise, then I think you may well require extra tuition in this particular area.”
“Thank you, Mrs. Bailey,” Daisy answered, her cheeks going a deep, blushworthy pink.
“Right, my young princesses. Daisy here has received this reward for loyalty, and I need to remind you all that loyalty is an immensely wonderful gift. It is something we continually need to work on, especially when friends let us down and everything inside us wants to hit back. Daisy found this out this week, so well done, Daisy dear.” Daisy continued to go a deep crimson as she broke into an overly generous smile that revealed large gaps in her pearly white teeth.
“Now then, who is next? Ah yes, Dulcie Collins, please step forward.” Dulcie showed none of Daisy’s hesitation as she leapt out of her seat and headed down to the front of the class, very eager to receive her award. “Hold out your hand, Dulcie, so that we can all bear witness to your award. Now girls, I do believe seeing all these pebbles transform into beautiful gemstones brings new meaning to the rather famous saying that ‘a diamond is a girl’s best friend.’” All the girls broke out into fits of giggles. “Right, Dulcie, what do we have here? Oh how lovely, an amber gemstone for honesty. Why, that’s positively wonderful,” said Mrs. Bailey, breaking out into another rather infectious giggle. “Now then, girls, I have to say that honesty is becoming a rare commodity these days, and this gift is becoming a thing of the past. Nowadays, very few people care to tell the truth, and even fewer care to be honest when it comes to keeping what does not belong to them. That terrible saying ‘Finders, keepers; losers, weepers,’ has sadly become the norm. Well, I tell you now, young ladies, if it does not belong to you, then it is important that you find and give it back to its owner. No ifs or buts. We actually take away something from ourselves when we act dishonestly. And, I might use this occasion to add that there is no such thing as a white lie. It is either the truth or it is a lie. Now, you may think me harsh, but one lie invariably leads to another. So truth and honesty are very honorable gifts to seek out. Enough said.”
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