Birds Of A Feather Episode 30
There was no lovely view to look out on next morning when Paloma pulled up the blinds.
Instead, a curtain of rain obliterated everything beyond the farm buildings. She pulled up her hood and hurried across the yard to collect Finn.
By the time she reached the farmhouse she was soaked.
“Do up your coat tightly,” she told Finn as she handed it to him.
If time allowed this morning, she was going to tackle cleaning the hall and staircase of the old farmhouse, and she was really looking forward to it.
“Here, let me help you. It’s raining cats and dogs.”
It was one of her grandmother’s favourite sayings. Paloma used to love pulling her hood up, putting her boots on and going out in the rain.
When she was with her grandmother, even a rainy day was fun.
To her surprise, Finn didn’t pull away when she reached out to help him.
She pulled his hood up and had to resist the urge to plant a kiss on the top of his head as she did so. It was what her grandmother would have done.
“How can it rain cats and dogs?” Finn asked as he peered out of the window. “That’s silly.”
“You think so?” She laughed as she pointed at her wet shoe. “Then how do you explain that I’ve just stepped in a poodle?”
They both turned at the sound of a soft laugh behind them.
It was Will. He was holding Finn’s book bag, stamped with the school logo.
“The old ones are the best, aren’t they?” he remarked. “Don’t forget this, Finn.”
The six-year-old took the bag but looked puzzled.
“Paloma said she’d stepped in a poodle. It’s a joke,” Will explained.
“There’s a breed of dog called a poodle and poodle sounds like . . .?”
“Puddle!” Finn’s voice was shrill with laughter. “I’ve stepped in a poodle.”
He was still chanting that as Paloma opened the door.
“Look at all the poodles in the yard!” he cried.
“You may regret telling him that one,” Will said, his eyes softened by a smile as he watched his young son.
Paloma smiled back.
“Any news on the cattle?” she asked, then wished she hadn’t as his smile vanished.
“They’ll be long gone by now,” he growled.
“I suppose they will. Come on, Finn,” she called. “Let’s get you in the car before you get your feet soaking wet.”
“I’d better not step in any more poodles.” Finn giggled as he fastened his seat belt.
For once he was eager to get to school and share his joke with the other children.
Paloma had always believed she wasn’t good with children. Was this all it took to bring a smile to the face of this sad little boy?
“Can I help with the goats again this afternoon?” he asked as she dropped him outside the school gates.
“Of course,” she replied, trying to keep her voice calm, while inside she was ready to whoop with joy.
Between the goats and the poodles, could it be she was getting through to him at last?