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Making the bird table, was surprisingly easy. Sandy had been right. Mia had a technical brain. She had done a quick sketch of how, the table should look and it’s construction albeit simple in form, was rigid and practical.
An old melamine tray with two handle slots proved a bonus.
Cutting a 1/4inch piece of ply for the top ‘table’ would allow them to anchor that to the base and then glue the tray to it.
Terry encouraged her. Including allowing her to use the power tools. Safety first and emphasized that NEVER, was she EVER, to use them without an ADULT there.
“It’s easy to loose the top of a finger or drill in the wrong places, or simply cut yourself, worse still; injure yourself if you don’t take simple precautions! Terry needn’t have worried, she was more than aware. The last screw in place and the table finished.
They both stood back and looked at it. “Now that ! Is a piece of art.“
“You grab the end and I’ll take the heavier top part.“ In place, with the dish sat in the round cut out, made for the water trough. Plus the hanging nets with the nuts in. Scraps on the top but NOT, as Mia pointed out BREAD!
“Swells up in their stomachs and causes problems.“ Soon, Sandy had been grabbed by Mia to come and take a look! “Wow! I am impressed.“ Some birds flew down, to sit on the table. taking scraps left for them, flying off to return?
The Christmas lights around its base, were an added bonus. The electric cable had been carefully covered with old bicycle tubing to the table and was completely safe unless of course it was moved or exposed. That, they both knew, was not going to happen.
Sat down sipping on hot chocolate and glancing at the time, Terry noted that it was now getting dark. 5pm! Christmas Eve fast approaching had been forgotten caught up with having been so busy.
Still, there was some merit in that. Mia and Sandy, had forgotten about the text message. Blocking his phone number, also helped. They were all rlaxed, chilled!
“I’m glad to hear that you are not alone Dad.” Nina had been under pressure from Marie eager to hear the latest re those who had landed on his doorstep. “It’s not eased up, still snowing heavily here; most of the roads impassable.
I am going to try and get into Bilsden this afternoon, we need to get some fresh vegetables, dairy items including milk.”
“The beauty Dad of having a four by four, see; I told you it would come in useful.”
Around town, short journeys Terry had not been so convinced, re fuel economy around town but on long journeys, the diesel engine managed over 50 miles to the gallon. (Vauxhall Antara Diamond 4x4 2015)
“The VW Bora I could get over 60 to the gallon.” “With all the problems you had? The wiper motor that used to work when it decided it was going to. Chucking it down with rain and they decide to stop working is def not cool Dad.
Best thing you ever did getting shot of that and buying the Astra.
Loads of room and perfect for a family Dad.” “Uhh?!” On reflection it would prove ideal with Mia and Sandy joining him for a trip into Bilsden.
Elsewhere? Jodi had enlisted Steve’s help in as she put it ‘Keeping an eye on Tim’s’ and surprisingly; he didn’t ask why. Rory lived next door to Steve and knew Tim’s from college days.
‘A most undesirable individual’ to quote his dad, hence Rory had been banned from having Tim’s in the house. That had resulted in their association gradually dwindling to little or nothing. Mrs Dean had been somewhat duped by Tim’s into paying an extortionate amount for the removal of a virus that unknown to her had been planted by him.
Steve’s dad worked with Aaron Philips a software developer who’s friend Phyllis had been a victim of Tim’s deceit. However it had NOT been Tim’s she had called to investigate the problems she was having, rather Aaron who soon discovered why and a good idea WHO was responsible.
“If he uses your computer system watch him. I’m not saying he would try and plant a virus or similar, I suspect your systems have good anti virus anti malware in play but nevertheless watch the git.”
Updating Jodi on recent news about Tim’s activities, she was relieved to know that Charlotte’s concerns mimicked hers, he was up to something, of that she had no doubts whatsoever. But what? Steve’s curiosity too had been aroused, he decided to stick close to Tim’s, well as much as he could socially; in the shadows.
“There, we have everything bar the water chestnuts and I’m sure I saw a tin of those in one of the cupboards.” Terry closed the boot of the car, stepped back taking care not to slip on the ice. The pavements had been gritted but this particular patch was wearing thin and as you shifted off the pavement the ground close to the kerb in places was treacherous.
Kirsten Dunwich was well known to Terry. An acrylic oil and watercolor painter; landscapes, wild life, flora and with an eye for the ocassional portraits.
“Oy you!” He stopped to see her headed towards him, her lips curling into that hallmark grin of hers. “I hope you were not planning on leaving without a hug.”
Ah yes, that hug, another trademark of hers.
“Your parents.” She paused, caught her breath. “Gave me an early photograph of them together, asked me to do a painting from it. I’ve almost finished it, when would you like to come and see it?” Terry introduced her to Sandy and Mia.
“Anytime after Boxing Day would be fine.” Stan is in bed with flu at the moment so perhaps leave it for a week or two? “ A date duly arranged and Kirsten had been dragged off to a nearby bar by Greg and Julie with Terry somewhat relieved. She could talk the hind legs off a donkey! Sandy liked her.
“You can see the artistic temperament in her. I’d love to see some of her work.”
“It was a surprise, I never realized mom and dad had commissioned her to paint them so I guess we will be seeing her again.”
Arriving ‘home’ with the groceries unpacked and Terry parking the car in the garage.
Refreshments. A ham sandwich, biscuits and hot tea. “So did you get a chance to explore earlier?” Terry started to grin.
“I have decided that my volunteering as a housekeeper could have been an oversight on my part.” Mia stopped slurping on her milkshake to look at them both. Sandy leaned in to talk to her. “You won’t believe the number of rooms and as for some of them.”
She shifted to sit back pick up her cup and sip at her coffee.
“Yes Mama, what about the rooms.” Some impatience in her voice? “I believe Mia that you were talking about learning to play a keyboard? “ Sandy looked at Terry.
“Would you like to tell her or should I about the room at the end of the far corridor?”
That bemused look on his face now had Mia’s full attention. “Uhh?” “About the music room? You know, the one with the stacks of LP’s and hi fi equipment plus other gear, I haven’t a clue about, apart from.“
Terry waited for Mia to finish her drink, ignoring her persistent demands to know just WHAT, was too good for Mia, suppose to mean? He stood up, beckoned to Mia to join him. Sandy followed as they made their way towards a room at the back of the house.
Mia was lost for words? Sandy was still insisting that she had misgivings about leaving Mia to use such a piece of equipment. Terry was having none of it ! Nor it seemed was Mia. What it sounds like ? HERE’s alink YOUTUBE(Euphoria Loreen- Eurovision)
OR another fav. link YOUTUBE Nothing’s gonna change my love for you.
OR how about a little Vangelis A fav of mine. I’ll find my way home.. link YOUTUBE
“Manual for the keyboard. Explains all the functions and more! You can also program this to work with a computer but there is a recording unit attached to it. That has a separate manual.“ Placed on the small table, in the centre of the room, Mia sat down, looked through it. Terry went over and turned the keyboard on. Moved the height of the stool and had Mia sit on it.
Her feet could reach the pedals! There were some music books on the stand. He went to sit down next to Sandy. Mia started to play. Terry was now, the one getting a surprise! The song in front of her she played note for note, in almost perfect time!
“I thought.“ He hissed at Sandy. “Who are you kidding, someone knows how to play.”
“So that’s what you’ve been up to missy.” Mia nodded. “Uncle Kens a professional keyboard player, has a Tyros 3 and this is the Tyros 4. Been teaching me how to play. When.”
Mia went quiet, shifted to hug her mother. “An escape from him Mama, the only way I could escape. I wanted to make you see that he couldn’t win.” “That’s why you cried so much when that b’ smashed up your keyboard.” She hugged her tighter. “You’ve made me so proud darling and yes you’re right, he’s a loser; not us.”
“Well before I show you some other treats, fellow musician, how about you play us a singalong Christmas number? “ Mia found a favorite, no mistaking
‘Frosty the snowman!’ Join us LINK YOUTUBE
“You know where the keyboard is." Terry smiled. "Yours to use whenever you want.
One thing I have to make clear.” He shifted over to a tall upright cabinet, opening the main door to reveal a selection of shelves and a main cabinet section with two glass doors.
On four of the shelves, lined up row after row of records. Terry looked at her and then at Sandy. “My father’s collection. Some are. not to be touched.” He went over to slide back the glass door and take out one of the 78rpm records. “Mint Ambrose and his Orchestra at the Mayfair.1932 .. Drop that and it will crack.” He carefully replaced it, closing the door.
Pointing to several shelves below the glass doors he knelt down turned towards them, smiled. Over 600 CD’s wth music from the 30’s through to the present day. If I’m not mistaken. He reached in and took out two CD’s to pass to Mia.. “Justin Bieber! Before you ask. NO! NOT mine. Nina’s. As for your mum? Favorite artiste, band?“
“Mum’s a Kylie fan.“ Terry leaned in pulled out a ‘Best of Kylie ‘ album from last year? Mum’s fav song is ‘Can’t get you out of my head!“ Terry glanced at the album track list. "Well mine, is 'On a night like this.!"
“Both tracks on here.“ “We can listen to that, whilst we have our evening meal. Terry looked at Sandy. These Cd’s you can use anytime. I may be a little quirky, but can you, make sure when you’ve finished they’re put back. Unlike I should add Nina, who has to be chased, to pick em up and put em back in their cases!“
Sandy looked at Mia. “Hmm ! Just like someone else I know, who borrows mums Cd’s?” “Mama!“ Terry closed the cupboard doors. A quick tour of what else was in the room including a Bose HiFi system with record deck and an instruction manual. Flipping through some of the pages Terry stopped to smile.
“Dad got converted to a decent system after I showed him the difference between that and a cheaper one. Frequency of sound. Most systems have a midrange effect, this has an awesome high AND a low range.
Some time I’ll take some of the LP’s and show you what I mean. Dire Straits Brothers in Arms or Santana; AWESOME! Ah before we head back to the kitchen.” He picked up the manual for the Tyros and handed it to Mia.
Back in the kitchen. “So WHO is your fav artiste.“ Too many to really choose one, but yes I like Emeli Sande. 'Next to me.'" “Seems that is something else we share in common.“
“Nina has several of her tracks on her mobile. “Talking of Nina ! Better phone her or she’ll be thinking I’ve abandoned her.“
Before Terry could pick up the telephone handset, the phone rang.
Joules? “I had problems with locating the phone but I tried again a few minutes ago. Where did you say you were?”
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