'So pirate sheep all safely gathered in!' said Norma.
'Are we OK standing on this?' asked Captain Bill.
'I think so,' replied Norma.
'So you were saying?'
'Pirate sheep all safely gathered in,' replied Norma, 'and crown returned to where it belongs!'
'You're summing up the story line aren't you?' said Captain Bill.
'.........................Sort of,' admitted Norma.
'So what happens now?'
'We take Queen Phoebe back, drop off the villains at the same time and then sail home for Christmas.' said Norma.
'And will get people get to read about that?'
'Well..............no!' replied Norma. 'I'm afraid the time has come for us to take another break. The Great Pencil needs to get back to doing some painting and he can't do everything at the same time.'
'We need to say goodbye then?'
'For the moment. So a HUGE thank you to everyone who's taken the time and the trouble to read about our adventure and a special big hug to those how have left comments or told others about us.'
'And any idea when we'll be back?' asked Captain Bill.
'Hmm,' mused Norma, 'at least a year I'd imagine.'
Right!' said Captain Bill. '.......................So.....so how do we get down off of this?'
'I think we have to jump.'
'Why did he draw us on it anyway?'
'Well it could be symbolic of our desire to get back to our natural environment,' suggested Norma. 'But I suspect it's because he just finds it easier to draw us standing on grass.'
'........................Sorry!' muttered Flossie.
'We were all behind you,' replied Lefty.
'Still my fault,' said Flossie.
'Lads'll stay loyal' replied Lefty.
'Kind of you!' said Flossie.
'And I should have listened more to Hooky,' continued Flossie.
Hooky tapped lightly on the window sill.
'No I should have!' replied Flossie. 'It's just................it's just for a moment it felt like the old days. Proper pirating...like it used to be.'
'And how it will be again,' said Lefty.
And the flock all bleated in agreement.
Don't suppose there's much point in asking for a bit of space?' said Flossie.
'Not really!' replied Lefty.
'So this is it then!' continued Flossie. 'Another spell behind bars to look forward to.'
'Should never give up hope,' said Lefty.
'I know,' replied Flossie, 'but you have to admit there's not much reason for optimism. We're all inside a locked room.'
'Well,' said Lefty, '......................................not all of us!'
'Hmm?' replied Flossie.
'Mum's still out there,' said Lefty.
'So she is!' exclaimed Flossie. '................................How do we get in contact with her?'
'Mum!' called out Lefty. '...................Mum!......MUM!'
'I think you might need a bit of help,' said Flossie. 'All together now lads!'
'MUM!.........MUM!'......................
...............................................................MUM!'
'I never want to be rescued from the dastardly hooves of ruthless pirate sheep by being pulled through an 'ole in the ceiling by the trunk of an elephant ever again!' sighed Queen Phoebe.
'Are you traumamaurmeratasised?' asked Annie.
'I think I am!' replied Queen Phoebe.
'Would a bun help? I made them for Mr Norman but I'm sure he wouldn't mind sharing.'
'Erm?' said Queen Phoebe and Norman.
'Or perhaps my chum Horace could read you some soothing poetry?'
'Is it really necessary?' asked Queen Phoebe.
'I doubt it!' replied Annie. '..........but he's not had a lot of lines recently.'
'I'll manage without,' replied Queen Phoebe.
'Also,' continued Annie, 'I'm to tell you that the ruthless pirate fluffies....'
'Sheep!' said Queen Phoebe.
'Possibly those as well!' replied Annie. 'That they are all now safely contained in what was until recently Captain Eyepatch's cabin.'
'Wonderful!' said Queen Phoebe. 'Apart from the fact that the cabin in which they're contained still has a bloomin' great hole in the ceiling through which they'll almost certainly try to escape!'
'Thought of that!' mooed Annie.
'And?' asked Queen Phoebe.
'I'm going to sit on it!' trumpeted Norman.
'Genius!' said Queen Phoebe. 'I suppose after all there really is more to an elephant than just a trunk!'
And so there was!
'Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Etcetera, etcetera,' said Flossie.
'And revenge and death?' asked Lefty.
'Indeed! Indeed!' replied Flossie. 'Definately revenge and death. Basically very much the same speech as last time but in a more appropriate setting as we now seem to have found someone to take revenge upon.'
'Think we all get the picture,' said Lefty.
And the flock bleated in agreement.
'One is not afraid!' said Queen Phoebe.
'Your choice!' replied Flossie. 'Fear, no fear, doesn't make much difference to us.'
'And Dave still gets first go with the pointy sword?' asked Lefty.
'Seems only fair,' replied Flossie. 'Now before we go on, any questions?'
Hooky tapped several times, then stopped, then tapped some more..
'Well,' replied Flossie, 'glad you raised that, there's no getting away from it, two white gates to go through, freshly laid grass, big arrow sign on the wall, all of which leads us to an open door with a Queen wearing a solid gold crown. You'd have to say...it's a trap...but we've come this far and I'm up for it if you are?'
'Think the whole revenge and death side of it has overridden any rational concerns on the stupidly obvious trap front,' suggested Lefty.
And again the flock bleated loudly.
'Fine by me then!' said Flossie.
'One is still not afraid!' said Queen Phoebe. 'But if you could get on with it? Only One's plates are beginning to ache what with all this standing around!'
'Your wish,' replied Flossie, 'is our command! After her lads!'
And the flock rushed in.
And the door slammed closed behind them.
And Queen Phoebe...
'You're quite sure?' asked Annie. 'Only you were running very fast!'
'Just the two!' replied Queen Phoebe.
'Perhaps if they're invisible even you don't know you've got them?'
'One is fairly confident.'
'Maybe after all this is over we could double check?'
'Is there someone up there more sensible that I could speak to?' said Queen Phoebe.
'Mr Norman's here,' replied Annie.
'Norman!' said Queen Phoebe.
'Hello!' said Norman.
'You know what you've got to do?'
'I do!' replied Norman.
'And you'll be careful?' asked Queen Phoebe.
'I'll try my best!' replied Norman.
'And you won't forget?'
'I'm an elephant!' replied Norman and he waved his trunk about.
'So you are!' said Queen Phoebe.
And Annie was just about to ask a supplementary question about invisible legs...when Norma arrived.
'She says she's only got two!' said Annie.
'Later!' replied Norma. 'They're heading this way. Queen Phoebe you're on! Everyone else stay quiet?'
'I'm not sure I can!' trumpeted Norman.
But he did his best.
