Tommy's Secret
by
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Chapter Four
Safari Adventure
Tommy woke bright and early, and was really excited about the prospect of going to a safari park, that is if Misty would take them there. The weather was sunny which was good, as it was easier to get into the garden than when it was raining.
“Mum, I’m going up the garden to the tree house with Buller and a book, is that okay?” asked Tommy.
“Yes, but if it gets too hot then you are to come back in. There are quite a lot of clouds about so you should be alright, but I do not want a repeat of the other day when you said you fell asleep and dreamt of talking to a cloud,” said his Mum. “Would you like to take a drink and some fruit with you?”
“Yes please. It’s always nice to have a snack whilst I’m reading. I promise not to fall asleep. I’m really sorry about the other day,” said Tommy.
“There’s your drink and a banana and apple, and a biscuit and water for Buller, now go and enjoy yourself, it will be just like going off on a safari,” said his mum.
Oh my goodness thought Tommy, if only she knew.
His mum meanwhile thought to herself that he was a contented lad, but was concerned that he was happy to spend so much time on his own, just because David was on holiday. She knew he had plenty of friends, but he didn’t seem interested in seeing them this holiday. Oh well at least she knew where he was and that he was safe.
Tommy ran up the garden with Buller hot on his heels.
“Come on Buller lets go and find Misty. I’ll just put our feast and my book in the tree house, we won’t need those on our journey,” said Tommy.
“Woof,” said Buller knowing exactly what he was saying.
Tommy and Buller stood waiting patiently for Misty.
“Hi there guys. How are you today?” said Misty.
“Hi Misty. I wish it didn’t turn quite so cold when you arrived. It’s fine on a cold day because I am dressed for it, but when it’s warm and I only have a T-shirt on, it gets chilly. I can’t come out in a thick jumper otherwise mum is going to think there really is something wrong with me again,” said Tommy.
“Sorry nothing I can do about that,” said Misty. “Where do you want to go to today?”
“We wondered if we could go to a safari park, and see all the animals. I’ve never been to one before, and I really would like to go,” Tommy explained.
“That’s no problem. I get on very well with animals, they all know me at the safari park, and as long as you do what I say you will be able to get up really close to all of them because they trust me,” said Misty. “If you’d like to stand together and hold on to Buller’s collar we’ll be off.”
“Okay,” said Tommy, “and we’ll do exactly as you say.”
Whoosh wiz.
Misty landed in the car park.
It was very busy, but of course they had the advantage that no one could see them, which was great. They didn’t have to queue to get in, and they could go right up to all the animals and birds that Misty took them to see.
They visited the monkeys and the apes first, and they inspected Buller’s coat for fleas, which he was not too keen on. Then they had a go at Tommy’s hair, which he found
very uncomfortable, but it was great to be so close to them. How many people
ever had this sort of opportunity?
“We’ll go and visit the lions and tigers, you’ll be quite safe with me,” said Misty.
“I’m a bit frightened,” said Tommy.
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About the Book
Tommy is nine years old and it was the start of the summer holidays. His best friend David has gone on holiday to Cornwall. This has left Tommy at a bit of a loose end and a little bored, but not for long. Just as he is up the garden with his faithful dog Buller and checking on his rabbits it suddenly becomes very cold. This is the start of a new friend coming into his life, who looks after him and takes him to any place he wants to go.There follows adventures which gets him into a bit of trouble at times, to do things he has never done before, and to see places he has never seen. This friend is Tommy's Secret.
About the Author
Jane Pyne was born at Loose, Maidstone in Kent, for 40 years lived in Kent, and for the last 22 years has lived just in East Sussex. She worked for Nat West Bank for 25 years in Maidstone. Then she took a change of financial direction and worked for a company as an accounts manager. Whilst there the decision was made to foster which she did for 5 years. Having accomplished many things in her life and never letting grass grow under her feet, following the sudden death of her husband and not feeling she could not continue fostering, she decided to run her own shop and this she did successfully. This book was written at a time when Jane Pyne was fostering and as her own childhood had been a happy one, she tried to bring this sort of life into the lives of the children. So picnics, going down to the beach and in the forest on bikes and having a drink and biscuits as a family were the normal thing to do with the children. The children were read stories when they went to bed and that fired her enthusiasm for trying her hand at writing. She also loves meeting and being with people and although the characters are of her own making, there is an element of the people she has known throughout her life. Plus her own enjoyable childhood has been partly brought to life in the book, but never she hastens to add did an elephant appear in her life like Tommy's.