The Yard Sale - part 3!

It was a regular morning in the Chiffon/Chantilly household. Babies crying, siblings fighting, mother's begging and fathers trying their utmost to restore the peace. For an outsider it might look and sound like World War III is about to begin.

In the nursery, Delia finally manages to get Austin's diaper changed. He kept wriggling, trying his utmost to make his mother's task as difficult as possible. Delia gave as sigh of relieve. She got no sleep last night, the twins are teething and though Austin sleeps through it, despite the constant whining while asleep, Nigella was awake most part of the night.

At least it is not a working day, as Delia was unsure what she would have done, if she had to take care of other naughty children today. She picked Nigella up, who was still wailing. She wish she could put a sock in her mouth, but quickly banished that thought, she was a mother and a very good one a that, despite sometimes having a bad thought.

In the kids room, she could hear Gordon trying his best to keep patient while breaking up the fight between Karen and David.
Gordon: ... but who on earth will take your train.
David: She did dad, just yesterday she asked me which is my favorite toy and today it is gone.
Karen: It was not me, daddy. I don't even like that stupid thing.
David: You did
Karen: Did not
David: Did too
Karen: Did ...
Gordon: Ok ok you two, I have a plan, let's agree to disagree for now and when we return from the yard sale, we will all search together.
David: Ok
Karen: Ok, but I don't think it is fair, as I ...
Gordon: Hush Karen, we will help David.
Karen: Ok daddy.

Delia had to smile despite her tiredness, Gordon just always had a way to deal with those two. Upstairs she could her Myriam was having a hard time with Jacques. He isn't the easiest of babies, but Myriam is coping amazingly well. She was unsure if she should offer to help, though they share a house, it is always difficult to know what to do. The line between being helpful and interfering can be very fine

In the kitchen things were running much smoother and quieter. Maurice was quickly making breakfast for everyone, while entertaining Jocelyn, her infectious giggles could be heard through out the house

After what felt like ages, everyone gathered in the kitchen for breakfast.

Maurice: Morning, morning everyone. Come sit, sit. I've made some breakfast. Egg and bacon for the grown-ups and cheese souffle and yogurt for the kids.

Delia: Thank you Maurice you are a true lifesaver, but go ahead, I just quickly want to wash these bottles. Myriam where is Jacques' then I wash those too.

Myriam: Thank you so much Delia, I will take the afternoon wash shift then.

Maurice: So what was the fight about this morning Gordon.

Gordon: Sorry about that and that you all had to hear that. See you two (looking at Karen and David) this is really embarrassing, you should learn to live together in peace and harmony.

David: Karen took my toy train.

Maurice (becoming paler): Toy train?

Gordon: I don't think Karen took it David. Yes Maurice, it is a toy train that David has had since he was 3-years old, that his grandmother gave to him. He is very attached to it. It is a bit worse for wear, but you know that kids don't mind that.

Maurice knew exactly where that toy train was, it was part of the items he and Myriam donated to the yard sale. He found it in one of his old shoes, and didn't make much of it, thought it must have been something that Jocelyn brought home from school.

Luckily they were already a bit late, so breakfast was quickly finished after which they left in hurry for the yard sale.

Both families where surprised by the scene that greeted them when they turned the corner into the square, people were milling around, appreciating the thousands of items on display for sale.

David was glad to ran in into one of his best friends Hector Hunter-Smyth and they immediately set off, to have a look at all the wonderful items on display. 

Maurice however immediately went over to the toy table to see if he could found the missing train, and there to his surprise and huge relieve it was. He immediately pulled out some monies to buy it, but Mae Mulberry who was in charge of the toy stall informed him that Mayor Hugo must first open the proceedings.

Maurice was not the only one in a hurry for Mayor Hugo to officially open the proceedings. Many other Villagers had already picked out a few things that they desperately wanted too.

Slick Slydale had his eyes on some bathroom accessories.

Margaux Bercher wanted some of those roasting plates, while Sorrel eyed some vintage teaspoons.

Tilly and Grizabella were gathered at the book stall, and have already picked out a few books for each of them.

Before officially opening the sale, Mayor Hugo had a quick chat to Hatty and Velvette, who was behind the cash register. They will also make a list of what exactly will be sold.

Finally the moment was here and Mayor Hugo climbed on his small pedestal.

Hugo: Friends and fellow Villagers of Sugarbush Valley, welcome to our first annual yard sale. I would like to thank Hatty and Velvette for organising this special event, but also want to thank each of you for coming to support this worthy cause. As you must know by now, all monies raised today will go towards the Sugarbush Valley school for some much needed maintenance and also to buy the text books for the new term. 

Hugo: So without further ado, friends I now declare this yard sale officially open. 

Maurice pounced on the train as soon as Mayor Hugo finished his sentence, and in doing so almost took out poor Tamsie who was buying a toy for little Lumy. He was so relieved that he got it back, that the 100M he spent on it, didn't seem that much at the time.

But things don't always go to plan, because as he was about to turn around to quickly take the train home and hid it somewhere in the house, before returning to the yard sale he bumped into Myriam.
Myriam: Maurice, there you are. Oh I see you bought a toy for Jacques, though it looks a bit old?
Maurice: Uhm... actually Honey this is not for Jacques, this is for ...uhm ... David.
Myriam: David? Why would you buy him a gift?
Maurice: You know the train David mentioned this morning ... well this is that one.
Myriam: Oh Honey, how kind are you. But how on earth did it land up at the yard sale.
Maurice: Uhm... I accidentally gave it to Velvette when she came to collect from us.
Myriam: YOU DID WHAT? Oh my gosh, this is terrible, terrible. What if they find out. Let's just leave please.

Maurice was taken a back by his wife's reaction, which he felt was a bit dramatic, but he didn't dare say anything.
Myriam: How could you do that. You know that they are leasing their attic room to us, out of the kindness of their hearts. What will happen to us if they kick us out? What Maurice? WHAT?
Maurice: Oh Honey, I'm sure they will not do that and afterall I did get the train back didn't I. We will just put it back and nothing will come of it.
Myriam: Oh Maurice don't be so "don't-care" about it, what if they found out, before we get to put it back. I'm telling you, I'm not going back to living in the Commune. I really didn't like living there.

Maurice decided to rather keep quiet and obediently followed his wife back home. This is typical Myriam, overreacting when there is no reason for it.

In the meantime the sale went on. The Villagers truly enjoyed the experience. Velvette and Hatty helped the Villagers to the best of their abilities and then there were those who found true bargains. Like Camilla who found a toaster and a pressure cooker for next to nothing.

Teri found some shoes for little Cremé and even did a bit of early Christmas shopping for her Mother-in-law. Bridget wasn't that lucky though, as Clop refused to try on any of the darling little pairs of shoes.

Esmé and Scarlett loved the fact that Hubert Allan were taking photos of the event, and readily posed for him. Maybe their photo will make the Sylvanian Post and then they'll be famous!

Theodora Dappledawn was relieved when she found the ideal birthday gift for Herbage, a radio. He is forever complaining on how quiet things can get when the kids are outside playing. Meantime the Awesome-Twosome also enjoyed a shopping spree.

Everyone's shopping experience was, however interrupted by Velvette Slydale.

Velvette: Excuse me everyone, sorry, sorry to bother you, but can I have your attention please. I have a bit of a surprise for all the shoppers. Here in my hand I have a donation that the kind Mr Puddleford made. It is one of his exclusive hand-sewn duck down, king size duvet inners and 2 matching pillows. I want to auction this off and of course all proceeds will also go to the school.

It was obvious that the crowd was really excited about the prospect of bidding on one of these exclusive sets. It is mostly not affordable and a luxury in many house holds.
Velvette: Ok ladies and gents... who will give me ...
Mable: Sorry ... uhm... Dearie, we will give you 5000M for that set.
Mack: WE WILL?!
Mable (whispering): Oh hush Mack, it is for a good cause.
Mack: IT IS?! But we don't have that kind of monies laying around? Do we?
Mable: Yes you do! Yes, Velvette, sorry we will take it.
The crowd was shocked to silence and no one even attempted to offer a higher bid, as it was already more than double the price it is in "Nocturnal".

Velvette: Wow Mable, that is extremely generous of you! Thank you so much.
Mable: It is only our pleasure, we already have 3 grandchildren in that school and with Blanka and Andrey also moving here soon, I'm sure there will be more attending soon.
Velvette: That is wonderful, thank you so much again.

After the excitement and absurdity of the auction, the tables cleared even quicker and the shoppers got less and less. Velvette was about to call and end to the sale, when she noticed someone she didn't expect to show up: Nelson and Beth Puddleford. She was truly glad they came and went over to have a chat with them.

Velvette: Nelson, Beth! You came, how wonderful.

Nelson: Yes, I assume it was expected of me and the town is so quiet that there was mo use keeping the shop open.

Velvette: Well, that is a good enough excuse. But unfortunately most of the produce is sold out.

Nelson: That is ok, I'm not really here to buy anything, maybe some of Pippa's doughnuts for the ducklings.

Velvette: I'm sure they will like that. And by the way your generarous donation, was sold for 5000M so you did more than your part.

Nelson: That little, I suppose these villagers will just never notice good quality, even when it hits them in the face.

As Nelson and his family waddled on, Velvette had to laugh at Nelson. Always the sceptic and as she looked around her she felt proud of what the Villagers of Sugarbush Valley accomplished.