Meeting at Cedar Terrace 3 - Part 1

Dear Reader

So time for another new story, you are truly spoiled this week. I had time to write it yesterday and as the photos was so easy to take, i.e. not a lot of different scenes and things to set up, I pushed through and here it is!

This is a 2-part story and if all goes to plan, part 2 will be up soon.

With the change in seasons, the lightening in my SF room has changed too, and I'm still figuring that out, so the pictures are not the best but it will have to suffice for now.

It was a lovely Spring day outside, but Hubert Allan Huckleberry preferred the peacefulness of the attic room. Even though the attic room is the children's room it is the quietest room in the house. It is spring break and the children are playing outside, enjoying the fantastic weather and their free time.

Hubert Allan however, discovered a new book about words and its meanings at the Sylvanian Market. According to Spencer it was ordered by mistake, and he was planning on donating it to the school, but Hubert Allan didn't have the patience to wait for the donation to happen or ran the risk of not getting his hands on the book first. So he was sitting on his son's, Dennis, bed and memorising the meanings of all these wonderful words.

He could hear Velvette fiddling in the kitchen downstairs and Hatty has been in the bathroom for over an hour now, obviously the two ladies are getting ready for something, but he is not entirely sure what and he do not want to ask what the occasion is, as then it will be expected of him to offer his help and he much more prefers hiding up here and enjoying the book.

The peacefulness was however short lived as the next moment Hatty stood in front of him, looking ever so annoyed though beautiful. She usually looks at her most beautiful when she is angry.

Hatty: Hubert Allan Huckleberry! What are you doing?

HA: Hello dear, I'm just reading a bit, you know, resting, and enjoying the school break, as I should be.

Hatty: Oh that is NICE! I wish I could get a chance to rest and do NOTHING! But no, Velvette and me are working ourselves to the ground for YOUR school and your are resting!

HA: What do you mean Sweetcakes?

Hatty: Don't Sweetcakes me! Have you truly forgotten about our meeting with Mayor Hugo, about the fundraiser for the school.

HA: Oh my dear! I'm so sorry, yes I did forget. Or no not really forget, I just thought that it was tomorrow... or is it already tomorrow? What day is it?

Hatty: It is the day where you should put that book down and come and help us downstairs to get ready for the meeting. Mayor Hugo will be here any minute and we must still put the snacks out.

HA: I thought it was a formal meeting, not a tea party?

Hatty: HUBERT ALLAN! Do you really want to have our Mayor over and not offer him anything to eat or drink?

HA: Of course not, but I'm sure he would be happy with water and biscuits?

Hatty (throwing her arms in the air and storming out): UUUUURRRRRGGGGHHHH!

Hubert Allan slowly got up and as he walked out the room longingly stared at his book. Why do one always have to choose between what one wants to do and should be doing?

In the kitchen the table was setup for the meeting, folders and pens and writing blocks and a jug of water. On the counter the coffee cups were put out and Velvette was arranging the most daintiest of sandwiches on a platter. Hubert Allan wasn't sure what to do, everything looked ready.

Hatty: Thank you Hubi for coming down to help us. Can you maybe decant the juice?

HA: Sure, dear.

Hubert Allan was a bit taken aback by the sweet tone Hatty has suddenly adapted, but they have never fought in public and though they are in their own home and Velvette is their best friend, she is still seen as "public", so Hatty's behavior is not that strange after all. That is surely one of the disadvantages of sharing a house, even if it was with your best friends, some issues are swept under the carpet to protect the peace and not have a public showdown, but as in this case it has many advantages too.

Too soon, according to the two ladies the doorbell rang, and the meeting could begin. After the usual pleasantries and a few jokes Velvette called the meeting to order. She informed the Mayor that as the Chairperson of the School Board she thinks it is necessary to have a fund raiser. The school is in dire need of some upgrading and though the simple way is to increase the school fees, she thought that it was a good idea to rather have a sale of some kind and get the whole village involved.

Hugo: That is a great idea Velvette. What do you think Hatty and Hubert?

Hatty: We have already discussed the possiblities and we agree that a fundraiser is a great idea.

HA (looking puzzled): We have?

But no one was paying attention to Hubert Allan he was afterall only the Headmaster and everyone knew that it was actually Hatty and Velvette who were in charge.

The meeting went well, and it was after much brainstorming and deliberation that the decision was made to have a yard sale.

Velvette: I think a yard sale would be the best idea. We will have the sale in the Village Square. The shop owners in and around the square can keep there shops open, which will mean some extra sales for them. It will be like a small festival.

HA: That sounds like fun, but what will we sell at the yard sale?

Hatty: It was our thinking to get all the villagers to donate items that they don't use anymore. Obviously it should still be working and in a good condition, or at least easy to fix.

Hugo: This sounds fantastic, you ladies have obvioulsy planned this well in advance, which will make the execution of the event so much easier. Thank you. I just think to make things even easier, is that, instead of asking people to bring their items to the school, that it should be collected from their houses.

HA: That is actually a great idea Mayor. We send a letter with the children to give their parents some time to prepare the items, and then it is collected at their houses.

Hugo: Brilliant. And as Velvette and Hatty are the champions of this fantastic event, I think they should do the collecting. Velvette, I suggest you go round to all the residents in town and collect from them and then Hatty you can collect from the outlaying areas and the Commune. We will need Hubert to write the letters and to excite the children about the event, so that they in turn can convey that to their parents.

Hugo knew he was abusing his power, but he was a bit irritated by these two. They always take over everything, it was obvious that poor Hubert Allan wasn't included in any of these discussions or planning, which is not fair as he is afterall the Headmaster and in charge. He could have easily suggested that he and Hubert Allan will do the collections, but as they are so ready to get all the praise they can just as well to the grunt work too. 

Hatty (displeased expression on her face): You can count on us Mayor Hugo, this will be a night to remember.

Hugo: Thank you Hatty and once again thank you Velvette to for all your hard work.

Velvette: Let's have some coffee.

Hubert Allan were enjoying the moment immensely, He wasn't stupid at all, yes he was introverted and always tried to avoid conflict, but he saw what Mayor Hugo was doing and appreciated it very much.

After polishing a plate of delicious sandwiches and a refreshing cup of coffee, Mayor Hugo excused himself. He had a million other meetings to attend as well. He thanked the ladies and Hubert Allan once more and left.

Hubert Allan was a bit anxious about what would happen next. Surely the complaining and whining will start, but to his surprise it did not. Both Velvette and Hatty silently started to clear the kitchen and he saw the chance to sneak away to his book.

Hubert Allan savored the peace and quiet of the attic room. He is still regretting the fact that the day they divided the rooms amongst the families that he didn't put his foot down and insisted that they, the Huckleberry's should get the attic room. He, afterall, got the house for them. But the children were so delighted that they would share a room that he felt too bad to shatter their excitement.

Hatty: Hubi are you up here.

HA: Yes I am, Sweetcakes (oh no not now Hubert thought)

Hatty: I'm so hurt, can you believe the way Mayor Hugo spoke to me?

HA: What to you mean Sweetcakes? 

Hatty: Suggesting I should walk to the farm and caravan-park to collect items.

HA: I'm sure he didn't mean it like that!

Hatty: Will you help me?

HA: Oh Sweetcakes, you know better than to defy Mayor Hugo. And I will be so busy with the organisation behind the scenes, that I might not have time. Maybe Dennis and Buster could help you.

Hubert Allan now felt bad too, but he has had enough. He loves Hatty and is one of a very few that understands her, but this time he is putting his foot down.

Hatty sulkily turned away, manipulating the situation as only she can. But Hubert Allan stood strong. He will NOT give in!