16 Ending

CHAPTER SIXTEEN Ending It was late afternoon and Ted and Rufus had been chatting all day. Frank had been a little sneaky, and at Ted's request, flown over a bucket of clean, fresh water from the Crystal Lake in Twinklenuts. After splashing about in it with some soap, and Ted brushing his fur with the comb, Rufus didn't look too bad at all. 'This Titus fella is amazing at baking,' said Rufus, eating his eleventh cream bun of the day. 'You've landed on your feet here, kid.' 'I wish Mum and Dad had never left, really,' said Ted, a little wistfully. 'Ah, they were just doing what they thought was best,' said Rufus. 'You don't get those humans on horses around here any more?' Ted shook his head. 'Nah. They just tend to dump things here now, like those tyres.' Rufus shivered.

'They were horrible,' he said. 'I saw you looking at me that night.' 'Why didn't you say something, then?' said Ted. 'I was just too nervy, I suppose. As it is, your sister hardly believes who I am. She definitely wouldn't if I'd popped out from those tyres looking like the monster from the deep!' The light in Grimwood was now warm and golden. The brothers started gathering logs for Rufus's fire. 'Best get back to your sis before it gets dark, Ted,' said Rufus. 'I don't want her getting more annoyed at me.' 'Oh, boo,' said Ted, but he gathered his things together to leave. 'I s'pose you're right. Still, at least I haven't got a Bigfoot to be worried about any more.' Rufus stood up and gave Ted a squeeze. 'Say hello to Nancy from me,' said Rufus. 'Hello yourself,' grunted a voice. 'Nance!' yelped Ted, running to his sister, who was loping towards them. Ted dragged her over to the fire. Then he just stood there, beaming up at his brother and sister. 'Ted, go and hang out with your bunny pal for a while,' said Nancy. 'She's missed you. She's been giving everyone earache for days.' 'Oh! But I wanna stay with you guys!' said Ted, his tail flopping in disappointment. Rufus winked at Ted. 'Go on, kid.' He grinned. 'I'll see you tomorrow, OK?' 'Fiiiiine,' sighed Ted. He could see that Nancy and Rufus needed a bit of alone time.

'What a great little dude,' said Rufus, watching Ted skip happily off towards Bunnyville. 'Yeah,' said Nancy. 'He's the best.' Rufus sat down on a log and gestured for Nancy to do the same. He coughed nervously. 'I know there's loads for us to talk about,' said Rufus, scratching at his ears. 'I've got a lot of explaining to do. And I promise I will, but… well, Ted was telling me about your dreams.' Nancy frowned. 'Yeah, well. They make a bit more sense now, I guess,' murmured Nancy. Rufus patted the pockets of his tatty waistcoat and took out a tin whistle. 'Thought you might like to hear something,' he said. And after a couple of blows to clear away the dust, Rufus played a little tune. He looked at Nancy to see if she recognized it. Her fur was standing on end. 'That's it!' she whispered. 'That's the tune… the one I've been hearing in my dreams!' Rufus grinned. 'Ted said you couldn't remember the last few notes,' he said. 'I'll play it again.' Nancy shut her eyes as Rufus played. She had the most amazing feeling as if the music was travelling into her ears and spreading a warm glow through her body. She put her paw on her chest and felt her heart beating.

'Mum used to sing it to us,' said Rufus softly. 'Every night, before we fell asleep. She made it up. It was the first thing I taught myself to play.' Nancy didn't say anything. She just lay down on the log next to the fire and sighed. Rufus grinned. It was the first time he'd seen Nancy look relaxed. 'I'll play it a few more times, then,' he said. And he played the song over and over again, until the sun went down and Nancy fell into the deepest sleep she'd ever known. Titus chinked a fork against a jam jar filled with flowers. Ted had arranged a few of them on his dining table, seeing as it was a special occasion.

'Oh no,' said Ingrid. 'Why does he insist on making speeches? Leave it to us professionals, I say.' 'Let him have his moment, dear,' said Sir Charles. 'My dear friends!' said Titus, dabbing at his snout with his handkerchief. 'Isn't this wonderful? It feels like only yesterday we were welcoming Ted and Nancy to Grimwood. And now here we are greeting yet another member of their wonderful family, Rufus!' There were cheers, hoots and quacks. Rufus blushed. 'Actually,' continued Titus. 'I suppose we should be saying welcome back. Because Rufus is actually from Grimwood, and so is dear Nancy!' There were more hoots and cheers. Then there was a weird choking noise, but it was only Pamela trying to swallow a jam jar in one go. Rufus stood up. 'I can't thank you enough,' he said. 'For taking in my brother and sister and giving them the loving family they deserve.' 'He means me!' said Willow, pointing at her own head. 'Loving family riiiight here, oh yeah!'

Nancy threw a scone at her, but Willow caught it expertly in her mouth and gave Nancy the thumbs up as she chomped it down. 'I'd like us to raise a toast,' said Rufus, lifting his glass of pink lemonade. 'To Rex and Jess. Our brave and loving Mum and Dad. Forever on an adventure, wherever they are.' 'To Rex and Jess!' said everyone, chinking glasses. 'AWOOGA! AWOOGA! Let's have a crazy disco party!' said Sharon, and she let off five party poppers at once, which catapulted her into the air. Pamela started playing some tunes from Sharon's mobile DJ booth. 'There is always a song and dance in this stupid place,' moaned Ingrid. 'Ah, you love it really, Ingrid,' said Frank, pecking at a roast potato. 'Shall we have this dance?' And he extended his wing. 'No,' said Ingrid. Sir Charles Fotheringay watched his furious wife waddle over to Willow. 'Isn't she just wonderful?' he sighed. Frank just rolled his eyes. Willow was busy telling Ted about the new theatre project she was cooking up with Ingrid. 'Oh, Willow, I can't wait!' he said, hopping up and down. 'You're the best. I'm sorry I wasn't around for a few days. I hope you know I'm your very best friend for ever.' Willow laughed.