Idlebones

Sophie & Paddy Ch 5

Sophie opened her door just a fraction and poked her head out to see
if there was a light shining from beneath her parents door. The hall
was dark and still, save for the moonlight that cast her own shadow
from her bedroom. As she listened, she could hear her Daddy’s
occasional snore come from behind their bedroom door. Being very
careful not to step on the creaky floorboard outside her own room, she
tip toed down the hallway to the kitchen door which stood silently,
slightly ajar. She was far too short to reach the light switch, but
there was enough light form the kitchen window to let her find her way
carefully to the bottom drawer beneath the oven that still smelled
faintly of salty ham. Crouching at the drawer she pulled it open just
enough to allow her to pass her hand into the opening. Feeling around
for a moment she finally closed her fingers about a hard cylinder
shaped object with a sharp point sticking out of it. She withdrew her
hand and held the object up to the light to make sure it was the spool
of thread with its glinting needle, before padding softly back to her
bedroom once more.

Closing her door behind her, Sophie could hear low voices from the
window. Paddy and Napoleon where chatting, Napoleon leaning an arm
against the window ledge leaning in towards Paddy, who was listening
intently

“Oh I assure you, it was a close run thing” Napoleon was saying “But
they were most hospitable after they lifted me from their pot. Most
Hospitable. Just terribly fortunate I had known just enough of their
language to introduce myself, else I dare say I would have been
invited to dinner, as it were.”

Paddy whistled “Remarkable” he said, his voice rich with wonder.
“Truly remarkable my dear fellow”

Sophie couldn’t remember Paddy ever using such polite a word as
“Remarkable” before. Come to think of it, she thought, I’ve never
heard him being polite to anyone before. “Remarkable” she thought to
herself, rolling the word around in her head, liking the sound of it.

“Aaah, My saviour!” Napoleon exclaimed loudly, spotting Sophie as she
stepped back up on to her lego box. “The Damson in shining armour to
this Knight in distress” He looking down for a moment. “That’s not
right is it?” he whispered to Paddy. Paddy Shrugged.
“The Damson in pyjamas to my Knight in a torn dress?” He tried again,
looking at Paddy for approval. Paddy thought about it, then shook his
head.

Sophie gave him strange look, then motioned with her finger to her
lips for him to keep his voice down.

“Of course. Beg Pardon Madamoiselle” He whispered, holding his own
finger to his lips.

“I’m SOPH….Oh never mind”, she said, handing him the spool of thread.

Napoleon accepted the spool with a courteous bow of his head.

“In your Debt, Madamoiselle. I was just telling your great friend here
of some of my travels and adventures, and it seems we have a lot in
common” Napoleon continued, unraveling an end of thread and hold it up
to the moonlight as he spoke.

Sophie Looked at Napoleon, and then at Paddy, who was examining the
window frame with great interest, avoiding her gaze, then back to
Napoleon.

“Yes” Napoleon continued, biting the thread and testing its strength,
“We both seem to be of similar mind when it comes to travel and
adventure, although Paddy, If I may call you that”, he laid a hand on
Paddys’ arm as Paddy gave a quick nod of approval, “Paddy sounds like
a bear who has more experience than I in matters of daring do and
escape from tight spots in his time!”

Paddy, who to Sophie’s knowledge, had never left her side since she
was 1 year old, was still absorbed in the window frame, seemingly
oblivious to their converstation.

“Really?” Said Sophie, looking a little puzzled.

Paddy suddenly wriggled uncomfortably and piped up excitedly:

“Napoleon has offered to show us around his balloon Sophie!” he said
quickly. “Isn’t that exciting!?” he said, clapping his paws together.
“C’mon, lets go!”

Sophie Narrowed her eyes at his desperately grinning face.

“Your such a spoofer Paddy” she whispered to him as he widened his
eyes and tried to look surprised.

“What?” said Paddy, innocently.