The Trouble with Polly Brown (77 page)

One of the angelic beings named Habakkuk chose to step up to the task
.

“Dear master, we are all exceedingly delighted that Ralph has succeeded in his most ambitious mission to get Polly released from the hospital, but as we all know everything, even events that have yet to take place, we very much wish to offer our services and in doing so become partakers in the next assignment.”

“Hmm, I am truly deeply touched by your concern and affection for the young girl,” Hodgekiss admitted
.

Suddenly, before he could give a reply, there was a furor that had all the angelic beings looking around as an overly excited Mrs. O'Brien burst through the doors
.

“I knew he could do it!” she cried. “Good old Ralph. He has been superbly outstanding in this mission,” she continued to enthuse
.

“He most certainly has,” Hodgekiss happily agreed. “But it all has me wondering if he will be happy to go back to being a gentleman of the road again?”

“I very much doubt it,” Mrs. O'Brien stated, as she too seriously pondered the question, “for he's now had a taste of the good life. Besides, he is so good at this role. Who could have known he would give the performance of a lifetime? Not only has he managed to get Polly released, but two other broken victims have also been given their freedom and the right to a new life. Now, how amazing is that!” she cried as she tightly clasped her hands together, as though this little endeavor would help contain if not restrain some of her excessive emotion on hearing this latest rather splendid piece of news. “I sincerely think this calls for some extra baking,” she joyfully cried
.

“Hmm. Believe me when I tell you, Mrs. O'Brien, that the audition line to get involved in Polly's young life has become unbelievably staggering in its magnitude. It's as if everybody in Piadora has abandoned all pleasures, as they are all very anxious and excited to become involved,” Hodgekiss happily confided
.

“You know, it's so ridiculously funny to think that when most humans stop their everyday activities and dare to think of the possibility that there might be some sort of afterlife, they inevitably have us sitting around on clouds all day. Oh, how utterly wrong they all are,” she mused
.

“Yes, I think they would be very touched and staggered if they could even have a tiny glimpse of what lengths we go to, to intervene when we try to warn, help, or rescue them from one disaster after another.”

“And it's such fun, isn't it?” Mrs. O'Brien mischievously interrupted. “I, for one, never imagined that the afterlife could be so exciting. It makes everything else seem very drab and boring.”

“Well, it has to remain this way, for ultimately it is up to them to decide if heaven even exists, and if so, if angelic beings really exist,” Hodgekiss reminded
.

“Yes, it is their choice alone,” she sighed
.

Suddenly Habikuk, who had been standing by, waiting most patiently for an answer to his original request, once more stepped in. “Anyway, Hodgekiss, getting back to Polly and her ongoing crises, can we all become involved in saving her? For, as we all see into the future, we know full well that she is about to head out on another dangerous and very precarious mission that will once more have her fighting for her life, oh, as well as that of her younger brother, James.”

“I promise all here that there will be plenty of opportunity for all of you to play your part, if not in Polly's ongoing crisis then certainly in that of other poor, helpless humans who are living every day of their lives feeling abandoned and empty of all hope. Now, I think it is perfectly apparent to all that Ralph is enjoying the role of Lady Butterkist so much that I am sure I will be needing another tramp or vagrant to accompany me on my earthly travels. If the truth be known, on her next journey many of you will need to hone your expert warrior skills, for you must by now realize she will be heading for the Valley of Leviathan!”

There were loud gasps of disbelief, as the word leviathan echoed around the room, causing a great stir. Hodgekiss watched many began to tremble at the word
.

“Oh goodness!” all in unison cried. “She will need great tenacity, as well as all available help if she is to have any hope of making it through that most shocking and terrible valley to come out not only alive but in one piece!”

“That is true. But I also need to remind you that she will also have to make her way across the Valley of Long-Dead Bones.”

On hearing this latest piece of news, the sound of loud gasps continued to ripple throughout the land
.

“However, let me reassure you all that Napoli Bonaparti will once again be playing a leading role, as will some of the other captains she met with on her first journey. I know for certain that Captain Humdinger has put his name down, as has dear Captain Codswallop
.

“Let me also dare to share that on this next journey she will at some point find herself at the mercy of the very Rev. Mumbo-Jumbo.”

“Oh, surely not! Oh, how can this be? Oh, goodness. The Reverend Mumbo-Jumbo?” many of those listening cried out
.

“Hmm. I'm afraid so. She will therefore need much wisdom and guidance if she is to come through this particular ghastly episode unscathed,” Hodgekiss confided
.

“Oh, she most certainly will,” they all agreed. “And Hodgekiss, we all are aware that there is much more to tell, yes, more terribly unnerving events that will surely find her literally quaking in her boots with fear.”

“This is true, for yet again her home life is going to test her to the limit. But trust me when I say she is a real fighter with a passionate warrior spirit within her. Many believe it is tough trials that make us who we are, but I would like to humbly suggest that those dark nights of the soul just help to reveal the strength of character that was placed within at birth and has always been hidden deep within us.”

“Yes, I suppose like nuggets of gold they need to be forcibly dug out of us,” an angelic being named Malachi interrupted
.

“Malachi, as always, I believe you're quite right,” Hodgekiss responded. “Anyway, putting all this to one side, she still needs our continued support, as does her new best friend Lucinda, or Lucy, as she is now known, for this dear and very special young lady is also about to hit the darkest and most frightening time of her young life. We need to assign a number of you to make sure she gets the help and support she requires if she is to hang on in there
.

“And then there is Will to consider. We all know that at times he can be a bit foolhardy, but I love his loyalty and integrity, as well as his earnest and sincere desire to be a true friend to dear Polly. He really is refreshingly kind, and he is such a decent, outstanding young gentleman with the sort of values that we all love and fondly appreciate. Yes, I think it is true to say that he is the very best we could ask for,” Hodgekiss informed all those standing by
.

“I also have to add that I find their friendship utterly compelling, for it is both interesting and touching to watch the ups and downs of their somewhat troubled relationship,” he very forthrightly admitted. “At the end of the day, William Montgomery is one of a very rare breed, and so he is most worthy of this monumental task
.

“His angry and very desperate brother is, I believe, way overdue for a visit from us, so trust me, dear friends, when I say that in the months ahead all of you will be approached and asked to begin rehearsing for some part or another, for we really do have our work cut out. This I promise.”

“Oh, Hodgekiss, I believe her next adventure will not only be a nail-biting cliffhanger, but we'll all need our handkerchiefs at the ready, for it's certain to be a real weepy. That's for sure,” Mrs. O'Brien thoughtfully concluded
.

“Yes, Mrs. O'Brien. I have no doubt that you are right. But remember, we are on the winning side, and the best films are those where good ultimately overthrows evil.”

“Oh, I just love it,” Habikuk cried as he clapped his hands with joy
.

“Yes, well, it would do us well to remember that this is not a movie but the life of a real young girl hanging in the balance, a girl who is regularly subjected to the most cruel and hideous wickedness and who has nowhere to turn. It is also more than apparent that there are many deserving people out there whose intolerable lives are just as dire and therefore seemingly beyond all hope. It is our prime task to do all within our power to comfort and guide them as best we can, so let us consider what vital role we can play, and in doing so, let's always give our very best to as many desperate and troubled people as choose to accept our help and support.”

Chapter Thirty-Two

PLEASE RELEASE ME, LET ME GO

B
ACK ON THE
ward, Dr. Ninkumpoop and Lady Butterkist immediately headed toward Polly's bed, which, much to their surprise, was surrounded by patients as well as nurses. “Doctor, come quickly,” the nurses anxiously cried.

The doctor raced toward the bed and was instantly shocked to see a fully dressed Polly playing with Lady Butterkist's other pooch.

“Hello, doctor. I hope you don't mind, but I am feeling so incredibly wonderful and overflowing with joy that I had little choice left but to get up so as not to waste another precious minute of this glorious day. I wonder if I'd be allowed permission to take this gorgeous little thing for a long walk in the hospital gardens, for I would love to get a bit of fresh air.”

The poor doctor was speechless and totally flabbergasted. He had never seen anything like it, for not only was she up and dressed, but her face, well, it looked so unbelievably radiant. Why, only yesterday he had cared to comment in his private journal just how tortured a being she had over the months become and that the dark circles due to lack of sleep had appeared under her eyes, giving her a most terrifying and haunting look that, if he were to be totally honest, absolutely repulsed him. Now as he looked her directly in the eye, he could see no signs whatsoever that she had ever in her young life experienced as much as one sleepless night.

“Polly, are you sure you're feeling all right?”

“Oh, doctor, I have never felt better in my life,” she cried. “Here, take this pup. He is so cute, isn't he?” she cried as she dumped the dog into the forlorn-looking doctor's arms.

As the doctor was seriously struggling to digest this latest, most mystifying happening, as well as hold on to the yappy dog, her ladyship's oil-drenched butler strolled down the ward toward them.

“Madam, may I take a moment of your time?”

“What is it, Blenkinsopp?”

“Well, madam, I need to speak with you in private,” he said in little more than a whisper.

“Come on, Blenkinsopp, do be a dear and stop all this—how shall I say it?—temperamental shilly-shallying, for it really is quite unnecessary. Do be a dear and just say what you need to say.”

“Madam, I truly believe this is for your ears alone,” he whispered, a justifiably concerned frown now appearing on his seriously lined forehead.

“Nonsense, Blenkinsopp. Just go ahead and state your business,” she insisted.

A very nervous Blenkinsopp started to clear his throat.

“What's up, my dear man? For you appear to have a frog in your throat.”

“No, madam, just a slight tickle.”

“Well, what are you waiting for? Go ahead and spit it out,” she impatiently requested.

“Oh, very well then, madam. Here goes. I need your stockings.”

“My stockings, Blenkinsopp?”

“Yes, madam, I need you to remove your stockings and then hand them over to me.”

“Blenkinsopp, I'm not sure I understand.”

“Forgive me, madam. It has more to do with needing a temporary fan belt in order to get the broken-down coach once more back on the road.”

“Oh, forgive me, my dear man, for now I clearly see where you're coming from.”

“May I remind your ladyship that this has always worked for us in the past when the old jalopy has broken down? Alas, I also did everything in my power to insist that this little conversation be just between our good selves and therefore in private so as to dispense with any confusion or embarrassment.”

“You're quite right, Blenkinsopp, so I now feel suitably chastised, for you did all in your power to warn me. I am not the least bit flustered by this latest unusual request.”

“Thank you, madam,” a most relieved Blenkinsopp replied.

Moments later, her ladyship left for the bathroom, and then minutes later she once more headed back down the ward toward the doctor and Blenkinsopp.

“Here, take them,” she ordered. “I've done you the small courtesy of placing them in this little paper bag that I always carry in my purse just in case Piddles or Tiddles do an inappropriately managed little whoopsie that requires me, their guardian, to scoop up and then suitably dispose of.”