The Great Village Bake Off !

                                                                                       

" Guess what ? Guess what ? " said an excited I’mapig2, as she burst into Moonpig's clubhouse one sunny afternoon... ( this was getting to be a habit. )

" I wish you'd to knock ! before you come into the clubhouse, " Grimaced Moonpig". " I might be doing ...er...something...um important & I could lose my concentration. "

APigCanFly quickly jumped off Moonpig's lap.

" Sorry :(  " replied Ima looking a little puzzled. " What are you two up to anyway ? continued Imapig2.

" Nothing !..nothing at all " grumbled Moonpig wiping lipstick off his cheeks. " I was just giving my V/P a er...mumble mumble . "

APigCanFly was enjoying listening to Moonpig's explanation & quickly put her feather duster down.

" I'll try & remember to knock next time before I come in. " apologised Imapig2 looking a little dejected.

 Moonpig waved 'The Matter' away with his trotter, like that ( ~~~ ) , hoping she wouldn't notice a feather duster slipping to the floor out of 'his' other trotter .  

" You were all excited when you came bursting in-side, " APigCanFly commented,   " so what's happened ? "

Imapig2 became all excited again as she explained to her two 'bestest friends', how MommyDear had noticed there was a Village baking competition advertised on the Village Hall Board & had encouraged her to get a form & fill it out & send it off.                                                                                   " My Mommy says I should have a go, since my cul-in-ary skills are improving in 'Leaps & Bounds'" Ima smiled, " so I got me a form to fill in & send off. "

" Hmm " said Moonpig, thinking out loud, " Is there a prize for the winner ? " he quizzed.

" Does there 'Really' have to be a prize to interest you...in ...Anything ? " APigCanFly quickly broke into the conversation, tutting in disbelief.

Moonpig frowned at his 'beloved Vice President' before continuing.." Well I was just thinking it would be a good incentive 'my dear' for anyone to..er.. give of their best, so to speak, don't you think ? " He was obviously trying to keep in APigCanFly's 'good books'.

Both pigs turned to Imapig2 & said in unison " Well ? "

Imapig2, went on to explain that there was indeed a Prize for the winner, along with trophy cups for the first three.

 " I think I might give it a go myself." Moonpig smiled. " So what are you going to cook ? "

" Wee~ll " began Ima, " I might....Just a minute, if I tell you what I'm cooking, you'll try & do something to 'out shine' me, so it will have to be a surprise . "

" What do you mean ? Mee....CHEAT !!!. How OUT-rageous ! of course I wouldn't.

Imapig2 was shocked by Moonpig's SHOUTING !! & didn't like it one little bit. Her chin began to wobble ~~, but before she started to cry, APigCanFly quickly stepped in 'stemming' Moonpig's outburst calming her down with distracting questions as to who else would be joining in etc; etc;

" Weeeelll ," began Ima    ( instantly stopping her wobbling chin ), there were five other names down on the list so far." & she began chattering away.

Moonpig's eyes began to roll as he tutted to himself. " Think I'll put my name down, I am a Very Good 'Connoisseur' ( expert judge in matters of taste ).

" I've got an extra form. " Imapig2  said pulling two forms from out of her 'skin pocket' & giving Moonpig one. I downloaded them off the internet. " You need to fill it in & send it off."

" I know, I know ! " boomed Moonpig.

As the day drew near to the Bake Off, Imapig2 practised her baking skills & tried the cakes on her mommy, who gave her words of encouragement & advise.  "Try a little more butter dear " or  " Less milk " she would say, until she got it perfect. ( Well, almost ).

All the while Moonpig was in his kitchen, throwing knives up in the air as he practised 'his' culinary skills. " What one needs is 'Fresh Produce' & loads of different flavours to entice the judges taste buds." said Moonpig to himself.

" Today's the Day " said MommyDear, waking up Imapig2 from her sleep, " I hope you had pleasant dreams. "

All contestants congregated up on the village hill. ( where the car boot had been earlier in the year ). A large Marquee had been set up with each contestant being given a oven, worktop, mixing bowl, in fact, everything needed to make their cakes or other 'delights'.

" Right ! Are you ready ?? On your marks !! Start Baking !!! " bellowed one of the judges. " You have two hours to produce your best cakes & pies ect;"                                                     Everyone began to prep their mixtures. Everyone busied themselves, weighing out the flour or whatever else they were presenting to the judges in two hours from now, hoping to win first prize & a trophy cup.

Moonpig was in his corner slicing away, throwing his knives in the air & catching them firmly in his trotters to the delight of on-lookers. " ooOOOoo !... Haaah ..." they went    "Now, now ! " said one of the judges, be careful there ! Pride comes before a fall  you know & you're being judged on your culinary skills, not your 'circus' performance. " ,!, that put him in his place as he continued to prepare his 'dish'. The onlookers were guided out of the marquee. Moonpig poured his concoction into a large mixing bowl, adding his 'secret ingredients. Finally pouring the mixture into a large round baking tin & putting it in to a preheated oven. While that was cooking he began making the topping & decorations.

Imapig2 put her ingredients into the mixing bowl, flour, sugar, butter, eggs, & a little milk ( splosh ! ) Opps ! maybe a little too much. " Never mind " she thought & added extra flour to dry the mixture out a little. Next she added currants to the mixture & scooped ten tablespoons out onto a baking tray, Then popped them in the oven to cook. Realising she'd forgot to preheat the oven. " Better put the oven up an extra number to com-pen-sate. " again she thought smiling to herself for having used her little brain :).

Meanwhile, APigCanFly ( who had also filled in a form ), was busy in her designated area with Strawberries,Vanilla flavouring, sugar, Large wooden sticks, & more sugar. She began mashing up the fruit & adding the vanilla & sugar, whizzing it up in the stainless steel drum. Whirr !  whirr ! went the machine. Beautiful aromatic aromas came 'wafting' out of the drum & APigCanFly dampened the the wooden sticks ready to begin the next process.

Dolly, Kevin, Millie, Molly, Clive, Candy, & Floss were also busy in cooking their entries for the Great Village Bake Off.    

                                            Time passed.....

The clock was ticking ( Tick ! Tock ! Tick ! Tock ! ) Suddenly a deafening voice was heard together with a fog horn sound... " Alright...Times up..Stop Cooking !  "   

" Wow !, that time went quick. "said Moonpig sweating profusely.                                                                               " Yes ...agreed everyone else. " putting down their cooking implements.                                                                                                       Now it was the judges turn to do their job. One by one the contestants brought their dishes or plates up to the front table for them to be judged.

  APigCanFly's strawberry candy flosses were tasted. The judges whispered in low oinks together, marking points out of ten, before passing on to other dishes. Kevin & Dolly's were marked next. The judges giving nothing away.

Moonpig's cake was next to be tasted & judged." Hmm ! Beautifully decorated. Is that real butterflies on top ? said one judge, as another cut into it. " Unusual texture " said another. " But very light & er.. ( crunchy ) munched the other judge. With heads together they murmured to each other before writing marks down on the clip-board. 

Molly & Millie's were next to be tasted. ( Hmm ! not quite 'got it' ) Clive, Candy & Flosses were next in line for judging. ( Hmm !  something to think about )

Finally Imapig2's ( the youngest competitor ) was being judged..                       " A little dry & over cooked. " whispered one of the judges.                           " Slightly on the 'heavy' side. " said another.    " But a very good attempt. " said the final judge, as they tasted & 'chewed' the Rock cakes.

The judges retired to make their decisions as to whose was the best, therefore winning the competition.                                       

The contestants were on 'tender hooks' all hoping that theirs would be the winning one.                                                                                        Ten minutes later, the judges lined up all the entries in order, as to what they had decided were the best. All gathered around as the winner was announced :                                                                                                     In first place..... Molly & her Duck a l'orange.  ( Exquisite ).                      In second place... Kevin with his Cornish pasties. ( Scrumptious ).                 In third place..... Moonpig with his cake ,  Decorated butterflies on top. Inside   were his  Scarab beetles & DriedTermites.  ( Hmm! unusual ).                                             

In fourth place... Clive with his Bread & butter pudding. ( Quite...er nice ).         In fifth place....Candy with her Fish & chips. ( just like the village chippy...hmm )                                                                        

In sixth place..... Imapig2 with her Rock cakes. ( a little over cooked ).            In seventh place.. APigCanFly with her Strawberry / vanilla candy floss. ( not too difficult )..                                                            

In eighth place...  Floss with her Beans on toast. ( bread a bit burnt ).                                                                                                       In ninth place....  Dolly with her Rainbow jelly ( not quite set )..  & finally,...                                                                             In tenth place....  Millie with tomato & basil soup. ( spotted tin in waste bin )..   

Okay ! Line up everyone to collect your prize & cups. So, Molly had a Thousand pd money prize, along with a gold trophy cup. Kevin was given a silver trophy cup & Moonpig was given a bronze trophy cup. The other seven received a rosette each. With the ceremony over, the crowds watching all cheered.

" Well, what a let down. " groaned Moonpig.                                                 " But you got a cup to stick on your shelf, Moony " replied Imapig2, " APigCanFly & I, only got rosettes. "                                                               " It's not the winning, it's the taking part what counts. " APigCanFly feigned.                                                                          " Oh, well, never mind, lets share the food between us & wash it down with some drinks from the pub." Ima suggested, " but I don't think I'll..er..deprive you of 'Your' cake Moony."    

" Humph ! " complained Moonpig, you don't know what you're missing. " 

The End .     

The Last Straw & Car Boot Antics

" Lets go for a walk ! " said Imapig2 to her two  bestest  friends one summer afternoon " 

" Where shall we go ? " enquired APigCanFly, " perhaps to the shops " she added with delight, for she loved looking at all the 'nice' things in the windows 

Let's go shopping 

" Or we could go to the  'Pub' for a spot of late lunch " put in Moonpig ( he loved his belly & was quite fond of a lager or two )

" No- it's too nice to spoil the rest of the day around concrete buildings or in a

pub looking at the four walls " explained Imapig2 " Let's go for a walk along the lane & stop in 'our meadow' watching the birds & butterflies & bees & beetles &.... ( she could ramble on for hours as she loved nature )....grubs &..."

A butterfliy

" Excuse me ! " said a rather indignant Moonpig , " but the pub has a rather nice 'beer garden' ( hoping this would change Imapig2's mind ) & we could sit in the garden watching 'those' kind of things drinking a cool beer....I mean refreshing fruit drink & perhaps an  Ice Cream" ( trying to tempt Imapig2 ) 

" Just a minute ! there are some 'pretty benches' to sit on where the shops are " sighed APigCanFly ( she loved a bit of ....'retail therapy' ) APigCanFly picked up three straws & continued " Who ever  draws the smallest straw,gets to choose where to go, that's fair isn't it ? "

" O.K. " replied Imapig2

Anyone for a beer ?

" S'pose so " grimaced Moonpig

So APigCanFly held out the three straws, hiding their length ...Moonpig pulled the first straw ( hiding it's length behind his back ), while Imapig2 took the next & did the same as Moonpig

" O.K. let's see who's got the smallest straw ? " said APigCanFly holding the remaining straw out.....

" I Win..I Win ! " sang Imapig2 " look mines the smallest....see ? "

" O.K. O.K . don't get your knickers in a twist ! ( Moonpig was speaking metaphorically of course as pigs don't wear clothes : rule No 3: from Animal Farm Book) 

" Come on then " began APigCanFly " you won fair & square we'd better take something to eat with us "

" My mommy has just baked some scones with cherries in,I'm sure she'll let us take a few with us " said an excited Imapig2

" We could get some drinks along the way if you like " added Moonpig slyly , still thinking of the 'pub' 

" It's alright , Moony, my mommy has made some fresh lemonade too " smiled Imapig2

" Your ...Mommy thinks of everything " APigCanFly smiled back

Moonpig moaned " She sure does "

Within a few moments Imapig2 came running out of the farmhouse with a Big bag of cherry scones & three bottles of her fresh lemonade.She put them into her back-pack...flung it on to her back & off they all started along the country lane towards their favourite meadow spot........Imapig2 skipped along the lane smiling all the way leaving APigCanFly & Moonpig walking along together, trotters touching each other's.

Imapig2  , happily skips up the lane

" It's funny how Ima got the smaller straw " said Moonpig looking at APigCanFly ,   I was sure that I would get it ? "

" Never mind we're ...'altogether' aren't we ? " APigCanFly  ' flutterd ' her eye lashes at Moonpig. Moonpig went a darker shade of green ( blushing at his sweetheart )

Imapig2 was oblivious to her two friends behind her as she skipped along the lane smiling to herself, as a few wisps of straw was carried away, out of her 'other' trotter by the gentle warm breeze.... ( It doesn't take much to break  a straw up to be the smallest...she thought )

                ....( and The Car Boot Antics )

As they continued along the lane they got to hear music playing & the smell of marsh mallows was soon reaching their snouts.

" I smell Popcorn  too " dribbled APigCanFly, 

 " They must be having a fair or something in the top meadow " shouted back Imapig2 to Moonpig & APigCanFly. Sure enough as they reached the top of the lane they could see a Sandwich Board Sign which read ' Car Boot Sale - Welcome One & All '

ooOOH !

" ooOOH ! stalls full of pretty things to buy " APigCanFly clapped her trotters, " Let's see what's going on "

" Alright " said a despondant Imapig2 " not for long though "

Moonpig was still dreaming of a refreshing alcoholic drink, but suddenly came to life as the thought of a Beer Tent on a car boot sale was..possible " Follow me " he said & led the others through the farmer's gate leading to the stalls.

Imapig2 was busy watching the butterflies flitting around & followed them to see where they were going .

APigCanFly was pacing the stalls looking for a bargain & all things 'Pink'( It was her favourite colour )

Moonpig made an excuse he needed the loo & went off in search of his favourite drink

Soon Imapig2 tiring a little with the heavy backpack still full of of scones & lemonade, found APigCanFly eagerly browsing the stalls still for a bargain.

Nothing Interesting...Honest

" Found anything interesting ? " enquired Imapig2 yawning

" No not really...it's all 'junk' " answered APigCanFly, " still it's all good retail therapy. Come on let's go & find Moonpig,...he said he was going to the loo,but that was half an hour a go. I saw him disappearing into the beer tent " So off they went, heading for the beer tent , towards a 'Noisy' sounding tent. They peered inside & there they saw Moonpig standing on a table  on one ( back ) trotter with a beer can in each (front) trotter while balancing a third on his snout........"

Look at Moony !

And now for my last trick " he said........ & quick as a flash, he nudged the can ( from off his snout ). Over it went so that the lager poured into his mouth, straight down his throat, followed in succession by the two in his ( front ) trotters while balancing on ' tip toe ' not even spilling a drop." Ta-dah ! " he finished to the clapping of trotters from all the pigs in there. Suddenly he spied APigCanFly & Imapig2 peeking through the tent flap,                                                             " opps ! got to go 'fans' Moonpig said & he jumped off the table knocking a stout pig's beer out of his mouth. The stout pig gave Moonpig a ..stern look,                       APigCanFy & Imapig2 quickly pulled Moonpig out of the tent & all three scampered off to 'their' favourite meadow,but not before Moonpig gave the stout pig one of his ...'Anger Management' business cards... " Call me if you need me " he said disappearing out-side

From 'Bad' to 'Glad'

At last all three were sitting in their favourite spot in the meadow...'Their Meadow', where they could relax....eat their cherry scones & toast the marshmallows APigCanFly had bought... Drink the fresh lemonade that Mommy Dear had made & listening to  'The Calls of Nature'.Very soon Imapig2 had fell asleep & Moonpig too was sleeping the beer off.APigCanFly thought " That's the Last Straw, I can't take anymore " & quickly stuffed some tissue in her ears & pulled a magazine out of her skin pocket, still nibbling at the scones & drinking Mommy Dear's lemonade.

I can't stand that Snoring !

How's Zat !     ( by Imapig2 )    Oink ! oink !

An Accident Incident

 At Last....a fascinating story......

 " Moooony. ? " asked Imapig2.

" Wot ? " replied Moonpig 

" Have you heard the story about The Teddy's Bears picnic in the wood.....OR.....The Three Monkeys that could ...Hear no Evil , See no evil ,...& Speak no Evil ? "

" Where is this all leading to ? " tutted Moonpig.

" Well , " continued Imapig2 " I've been told there's another incident happend in Moontown , earlier today.... "

" Another WOT ! ? " Moonpig spoke exasperated already ( oh she does 'wear me out ' thought Moonpig )

" I Don't Know " answered Imapig2 in a ...High - Pitched ..voice.   Just then ....

" Hi ! everyone " sang APigCanFly , as she flew in..." and how's my two bestest friends today ? "

So....what's going on ?

" Don't ask " replied Moonpig , " Ima's making No Sense at all today. "

" Why what's the matter Ima ? " APigCanFly closed up her wings & landed lightly beside Imapig2. ( Flump ! )

" I've just been telling Moony about the accident that happend in Moontown earlier today . "

" ACCIDENT ! Wot accident , you didn't tell me anything about an Accident ! "said an Amazed Moonpig .

" Well I was just coming to that bit " Imapig2 continued " Apparently , these three ' farmies' dogs  were doing a bit of ' sniffing around ' near the village store & as they were crossing the road...on the Zebra Crossing ,this green three wheeler vehicle came  ' Belting ' along the road , honking it's horn & they were All hurt & the car , carried on it's way . It was a ' hit & run ' incident.                                                    A police car was soon chasing it , but couldn't catch-up.                                                                  The three ' farmies' dogs  were all treated at the road-side for their injuries. "

"Road Hog ! "...shouts the Tortoise.

" REALLY !! " said an Amazed ( again ) Moonpig , " well I never ..( mumble ,  mumble....should have got out the way quicker.....mumble mumble  said Moonpig to himself , under his breath. )

" Oh ! that sounds terrible " said a worried APigCanFly...." Wait a minute....haven't  'You ' got one of those 3 wheelers , Moony ? "

" Erm...er...well yes ,that's true ....but ..there are..er...Sooo many of them around here..&...haven't you noticed um..there are sooo many different shades of green " 

" Oh ! " replied Imapig2 ,noticing Moony's darker green cheeks  " So it wasn't you then who...' frightened them out of their wits ' "

" Don't be absurd ! ...my driving is .. er.. Perfect..( & I didn't know 'witts' were with them , he thought )..where was I ?...oh yes my driving is Perfect...wouldn't You say Ima " giving her a ...' raised eyebrow look ' ^ @ ^

" Oh ! yes....Moony...you are a very.er...er..whats the word ?....a    irr-er- sponsible driver.....I'm sure it wasn't you Moonpig " shuddered Imapig2 , thinking back to the ride she had , had , awhile ago as he raced through the country roads , making his own road-rules up along the way . She remembered hanging on for dear life, ( who ever that was ) & the rest of the ride was...well it was a complete Fuzzy Mess ........Are you sure it wasn't you ? " repeated Imapig2

" A Bad Memory "

" Well Really ! How could it have been ME ? I've only just this minute got out of bed &...& Walked ..yes that's it...walked over to your place , haven't I ?So how could I have been in the village earlier ? "

" Oh ! I didn't think.....sorry Moony . " muttered Imapig2 apologetically .

SUDDENLY - out of the farmhouse came APigCanFly....... 

" Come on you two " APigCanFly shouted excitedly ,appearing from the farmhouse doorway , " It's on the News...The police have got an ' identi - picture 'of the driver they want to question...Quick ,come & see. "

"Police are looking for...Blah ! blah ! blah !..."

Moonpig & Imapig2 was dragged inside & plopped down in front of the telly......... "Look ! look ! .who does it look like ? " asked APigCanFly 

" He looks ...vaguely familiar " answered Imapig2 " What do you think Moony ? "

" Erm,,,it's Hard to say...It could be...Anyone , Ima ,2 ear's ...1 snout...etc; etc;

" But don't you think he looks a bit er..g r e e n...like you ? " enquired Imapig2 .

" Naa !...It's probably...has to do with..er..the Sun Spots , bouncing off the...um..Moon & reflecting around the um...Stars , causing the Digital Pixels to di-verse the Rainbow-otic colours a bit er..um...on the green side...wouldn't you say ? " rambled Moonpig .

I'm Starving !

" Oh ! I hadn't thought of that " APigCanFly said , trying to look intelligent in understanding everything Moonpig had said .

" Oh you Are clever " added Imapig2 " I love rainbows , & like you said , you were in bed , before you Walked over to my house "

" Good , I'm glad that's all clear then " finished Moonpig " Now.... whats for dinner , I'm Starving ? "

There's a storm Brewing !

 There's a storm brewing 

Imapig2 said one day

Can you see the dark clouds 

which are coming our way ?

Can you see ?

Who taught you that

said her friend Moonpig

Is that why it is

the clouds so BIG

It's the colour of the sky

& the colour of the cloud

Can you see what I mean ?

Imapig2 spoke out loud

Quite normal on Zork

This is quite Normal

where I come from

but I won't go into that

Moonpig looked glum  :(

APigCanfly flew by just then

Have you seen the sky she told her friends

Hurry home !

better make tracks to get inside

APigCanFly noted with that

& away she ...er ..flied

A flash appeared in the skies above

then Big rumbles, large spots & a dove

It's looking for shelter I bet Moonpig guessed

That's a good idea Imapig2 confessed

It's getting worse 

The spots on the ground 

got bigger & Bigger

Thunder & lightenings too, I figure

Under the apple tree, they found a dry spot

but the farmhouse was dryer, so in they did trot

Muddy trotter marks were left all over the floor

We forgot to wipe our trotters

Ima said, that's for sure

Yum! yum ! Cakes !

ooOOoo Mommy Dear's left cupcakes

cooling on a tray

said Moonpig to Ima

lets test a few today

Well one taste led to another

soon all of them were gone

Oh dear ! exclaimed poor Ima

what will she say...my mom ?

All too soon with a clap of thunder

& a flash of lightening outside

Wher'es ALL the cakes gone ?

the farmhouse door swung open

Mommy Dear appeared at their side

Her figure seemed huge & foreboding

lit up by more flashes of light

she looked at the floor & the 'cup cakes'!!!

Moonpig & Ima turned white

I see another storm cloud brewing

Must dash !

said Moonpig to Imapig2

think I'd better ski-daddle

see you tomorrow, toodle loo

so off he went at double quick time

leaving Imapig2, behind

But Ima's sad eyes

Let's make some more

began to melt

'The Wrath' of her mommy

as down she knelt

she said to Ima

 Lets make make some more cakes

this thunder & lightening

gives me the 'shakes'

                      How's Zat ! ( by Imapig2 )

April Fool ! ( A Complete Story )

Imapig2 was watching one of her favourite programmes ( Peppa Pig" ) one day when it was interrupted by some Breaking News " We are sorry to interupt this programme " the news reporter said, " but we feel it necessary to' Warn 'everyone in this area...blah! blah ! " the reporter continued                                                             "Oh ! bother " moaned Imapig2 to her Mommy, who was making strawberry jam in the kitchen.

ooOOOooo

" What is it dear ? " said Mommy Dear's voice from the farmhouse kitchen

" They've interrupted.. My Programme! " Ima answered

" Well it must be...pretty important, if they've done that to you " replied Mommy Dear appearing from the kitchen door-way . ...                                                                     Just then the reporters voice continued ... " so if you see any strange beast.blah ! blah! blah !.... call 0800-511-511 Immediately ! Do not attempt to ... Blah ! blah ! blah ! " & with that  normal service of Peppa Pig  was resumed.                        "I wonder what that all about " muttered Mommy Dear to herself as she returned to her jam making in the kitchen.

" I'd better warn my 'Bestest friends' " thought Imapig2 when her programme ended.....& with that we went to look for them.....                                     She found them both in Moonpig's clubhouse......." Oh ! there you both are " Ima exclaimed " hope I'm not interrupting Anything ! "

There you are

Moonpig quickly replied " No...not all, ... we were just er um... anyway what brings you here, there's no club meeting today ? " he continued , changing the subject

 Imapig2 began to relate everything ( with a bit of exaggeration ) everything that the News Reporter had said & then finished by saying " Shall we go & look for  'IT', We could go & capture it with with my mouse-trap ? "

APigCanFly gasped in alarm ! " You'll need more then a ...mouse-trap to capture 'IT'! with "

" It's er.. um, best to let the Pig officers & the like to deal with 'IT' " piped up Moonpig."There's plenty of things to do here " hoping that by then  things would have returned to normal..." wouldn't you agree ? "he finished looking at APigCanFly

 APigCanFly replied by nodding up & down quickly, & exclaiming....                         " Yes, this  clubhouse could do with a Good Spring Clean,judging by the amount of dust under ..Your throne Moony "                                                            Moonpig quickly pulled out a feather duster from behind his back & began assimilating a 'dusting pose '

We're dusting

" Well if You aren't going to help look for this 'Ferocious  Wild Beast ', I'll just Have to do it myself " said an adamant Imapig2                                                 Her two bestest friends tried to dissuade her, for fear any harm would come to her, but.....                                                                                           " No, it's fine " insisted Imapig2 " If you two are scared...I'll catch this 'Beast' myself " & off she went before anyone could say another word.

Moonpig & APigCanFly looked at each other...." Do you think we should go & follow her...just in-case ? " asked APigCanFly.

" Na ! " poo-pooed Moonpig " she won't catch much with a...mouse-trap "

" But what if...." APigCanFly....continued waving her feather duster at Moonpig                  " what if......'The Beast ' catches .. Her &...&... "

"I'm right behind you "

" Gulp ! " gulped Moonpig, I hadn't thought of ...'That '... we'd better find her before ...'IT' does. You go first ..I'll be right behind you "

" Coward ! " retorted APigCanFly, as she was pushed out of the clubhouse door by Moonpig

Imapig2's bestest friends began to search for her ...    

                         ...Meanwhile...unaware that Imapig2 was sitting in Mommy Dear's kitchen ( mouse-trap in one trotter.... a fresh jam sandwich in the other )                             " This tastes good ! " said Ima managing to speak with a mouthful of bread, butter & jam that Mommy Dear had been making all morning

Yum ! yum !

" Why don't you take your friends a jar ? " suggested Mommy Dear

" O.K." replied a happy little piglet & off she skipped towards Moonpig's clubhouse, where she had left her two friends earlier on....

 ....Meanwhile....Moonpig & APigCanFly had searched all over the farmyard & finally around the clubhouse..... Twice !

" No...she's not here " pointed out Moonpig " let's get back inside "

APigCanFly agreed " She's probably sulking close by, no need for us to stay out any longer " Both crept cautiously back inside & carried on with the dusting,trying to tickle one another in the process.....SUDDENLY ! they heard a LOUD THUD ! outside & a HIGH PITCHED ....SHRIEK !

" What was that ! " exclaimed APigCanFly

" It sounded like Imapig2's Squeal !! " added Moonpig...( Loud gasps were heard in the clubhouse )

" Do you think ..'The Beast ' has caught her & is eating her all up ? " exclaimed  frightened APigCanFly

Can you see her ?

" Let's have a sneaky peek out of the window " suggested Moonpig " after all there's no need for ..Us to be eaten up too ! "...So they crept up to the window & peeked through the curtain.....There was poor Ima flat on the ground, lying in a pool of blood.

Poor Ima

Quick as a flash, forgetting  about 'The Beast',  they rushed out side to Imapig2. APigCanfly picked the lifeless little body up while Moonpig stood guard ( just incase He had to make a quick retreat )

" Speak to me ...speak to me Ima " cried APigCanFly sobbing " I wish you hadn't gone after that..Wild Ferocious Beast "                                             .......Imapig2 slowly opened her eyes & looked into ApigCanFly's face & began to smile  :)   " Oh Ima ! Ima...you're alive .Look Moony..she's....alive, she's O.K. "

Oh Dear ! Is she ...Dead ?

Moonpig blinked , then blinked again,he didn't know what to say. He just wiped a tear away from the corner of an eye with his trotter.

Imapig2 said " Well !...put me down then, I'm alright. I was just bringing a jar of Mommy Dear's strawberry jam for you & Moony to try, when I slipped over & smashed the jar,Look ! " she said pointing to the smashed jar on the path  " The jam splatted all over me. " 

" Oh ! I see " giggled APigCanFly " We thought you were being eaten alive by...you know who... ( 'The Beast' ) " she whispered " didn't we Moony?

" Well er..um ( sniff ! )... " was all he could manage to say

" Oh ! !...That wild beast !...

.. Well when I went home to get my trap ! my mommy said that The Reporter had been back on T V to announce that it had been a Hoax, Infact it was An 'April Fool' joke played on us all & there was no danger at all...So I had one of my mommy's sandwiches made with fresh strawberry jam & I was bringing some for you two to try "

" I thought as much " replied Moonpig, pretending to have guessed it already.

" Why then Moony,did I see a tear in the corner of your eye just then, were you getting all emotional over little Ima, did ....you think she was dead when I picked her up ? " APigCanFly wanted to know

" Who ! Me ! no...she was so convincing though...no..I just had a 'pesky fly' stuck in my eye " he replied giving it another wipe to try & convince everyone "  

But ApigCanFly knew he cared " You're just a ' Big Softy at heart" she said smiling at him...after all They were the bestest of friends now & forever . ( see poem   post 5 entitled Basket Balloon )

             How's Zat !    ( by Imapig 2 )     Oink ! oink !

Last & finale Chapter 8 of The sea-side story

Suddenly...came the sound of a police siren & the flashing of blue lights....Then came the sound of laughing & giggling...before...TAP ! TAP ! TAP ! on the kitchen door.Mommy Dear opened the door cautiously. A police pigstable stood there in the doorway.

I have a 'parcel' for you

" I believe I have 'something' that belongs to you, Mrs Dear " he said, holding  a Happy, Laughing,...Imapig2 blowing the police pig's whistle

" Hallo..Mommy " she said " wasn't it kind of Police-pig Plod to bring me all the way home & let me play with the lights & put the siren on his car "

A huge sigh of relief was heard throughout the farmhouse as Mommy Dear picked up Imapig2 & 'cuddled' her.

" Hey mom ! you're squeezing me to death " mused Imapig2

APigCanFly picked up hers.. & Moonpig's bucket & spade & ...Vanished.." Come on Moony " she said, " I'll buy us some chips from the chippy on our way home."

" O.K. " replied Moonpig, " give us a cuddle first like Mommy Dear gave Ima " joked Moonpig.( sounds of cuddling ) After all they were...the bestest of friends.

With chips in totters sitting on the bench out-side 'The Chippy' APigCanFly pondered "What a lovely day we've had at the seaside today,.....                     & what a lovely day Imapig2 had, had too.!

'Help yourself  dear' said Moonpig

How's Zat !      by Imapig2