[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
.The garden seems to be Charlie’s domain, David helping with the heavy work such as digging, fencing and planting large trees.David likes to do a bit of strenuous work sometimes to counteract his academic work at the university.Charlie was a fireman so he is used to manual work.He tells Sarah that the garden keeps him fitLeaving the house they go into the garden where there is tea served on a table overlooking the water.David has been busy whilst Sarah has been with Charlie in the house.Simon is following David in and out of the kitchen as he brings sandwiches, fruit and cakes to the table.“Your house is lovely’” Sarah tells David.“I’m really impressed with the work you have done together.”After their meal Simon crawls on David’s knee, as he moves over to the hammock swing, where he gently rocks him.Charlie joins them and Sarah moves to the end of the garden to watch the bird life on the water.There is a family of grebes, the mother in front, whilst the father grebe dives to catch small fish for his brood.There is a heron on the far bank, its long legs just standing on the edge of the lake and its large beak dipping into the water, searching for fish.Sarah takes Simon to the edge of the garden and shows him the different birds, by and on, the lake.She points out the grebes, and he is excited by the sight of two small ones being carried on the back of the mother grebe, followed by two other fledglings and the male bird bringing up the rear.The male grebe suddenly dives under the water and Simon looks confused.“They are water birds.” Charlie tells him.“They have to be able to dive for fish as they live on the water.I’ll show you their nest if you like, it’s just a little way from here.Do you want to look?”“Oh yes, can we all go mummy”.Cries Simon excited by the prospect.“When I have helped to clear up here” his mother replies.David clears the table with the help from Sarah, whist Charlie entertains Simonas they look for different types of wild life, on the water.There are ducks, two of them white with black patches on their wing feathers, Canada geese; larger birds with textured shades of feathers and dark coloured heads.Simon is fascinated; he has seen pictures of various kinds of ducks and birds in his books at home, and he has looked at a bird book when his granddad has been trying to identify a strange bird that has flown into his garden.He has also seen ducks when they have been picnicking at Downham.David fills the dishwasher whilst Sarah tidies the kitchen.“We make a great team.” David says as he gives Sarah a friendly hug.Sarah smiles at him and feels safe here with these two lovely men.Simon is ready for off and holding Charlie’s hand as they go to find the grebes’ nesting place.“We will have to be quiet, so as not to frighten them, if they are back there.” Whispers David.“I can’t see them on the water so I suppose that they are back on the nest.”“We can’t go too near but we can see the nest from the top path of the woodland.” Charlie tells them.The day is warm and the blue sky reflects on the water making it a deeper blue.The woodland is fresh and green and the sunshine feels warm on the summer breeze.Simon is now holding David’s hand as he climbs up an incline before entering the wood.They stop suddenly and David kneels to show Simon the grebes’ home.The air is so quiet, Sarah can hear Simon’s intake of breath, as he spots the nest with the female and baby grebes snuggled together, resting, after their exercise on the water, where their fish meal was caught by the male grebe.It’s difficult to tear Simon away from the place where he can watch the grebe family, but Charlie manages it by promising him to find other wildlife on their walk around the reservoir.There is an unusual looking white duck with black markings, different to all the other ducks and bigger.It suddenly flies onto the pathway before them and waddles quickly along, wagging its tail from side to side.They all stop and stare and laugh at its funny walk.Simon ‘s little legs are tiring so David lifts him on to his shoulders, where he cries out in glee, because now he can see much more of his surroundings.He chatters to David who patiently answers all his questions.Charlie has a date later; he is taking one of his volunteer colleagues out for dinner and on to the theatre.As time is getting on he needs to return home to shower and dress for the occasion.He apologises at having to leave them when they arrive back at the house and David takes Sarah and Simon to his part of the house.It is furnished in a similar way to his father’s but the suite is light cream leather and his interesting pictures depicting mountain scenery in muted colours.It’s Simon’s bedtime and he is rubbing eyes and yawning.“We’ll have to go.” Sarah says feeling reluctant to leave this friendly environment.“I hope that you will come to us next time, and bring Charlie as Simon has taken a shine to both of you.”“Can I see you tomorrow for a grownup date” asks David.“Will it be possible for you to get a babysitter?” He asks with a smile.“It would be nice if we could go out to dinner and, perhaps, see a film.What do you say?”Sarah carries Simon and fastens him into his car seat.He is a very happy and tired little boy.She smiles at David and promises to ask one of her family if they will look after Simon.Charlie comes to see them off; he is very handsome in his smart suit ready for his night out.“Thanks for a lovely day, Simon has never chatted so much before, I hope we see you both soon.” Calls Sarah from the car as she drives off.She smiles to herself as she sees Simon nodding off in his car seat through her rear mirror.Chapter 18Mary is happy to baby-sit, and Sarah rings David to tell him and they arrange their dinner date for the following evening.Sarah has not been out without Simon since Ann’s wedding and is looking forward to a grown-up date [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]