"Alright girls, I'll be heading into Wartwood for a few hours. PLEASE don't mess up the house while I'm away." Pebbs ordered. Flossie and Jean were playing a board game. "Yes mum!"
"Ok Ms. Harveston!"
Pebbs squinted at the two kids, closing the door suspiciously slowly before making her way to the wagon, where Boris grazed, waiting for her. "Alright Boris boy, let's go."
A few hours later, Pebbs and Boris pulled into Wartwood. "Ok Boris, stay here and take care of the wagon." The snail let out a toot, returning to his grazing as Pebbs jumped from the seat.
Making her way toward one of the shops, she noticed a very familiar face waiting outside. He was looking around, as if searching for someone.
"Well well, if it isn't Hopediah Plantar!" She greeted. The old frog turned to the Newt, his surprise turning to joy. "Pebbles Harveston! It's great to see ya darl! It's been way too long!" He hugged the taller Newt, which she happily accepted. "It sure has, Hopediah. How've you been? Keeping those little troublemakers in line?" She chuckled. Hopediah nodded. "We've been great,, thanks for the ask! What about your little darl? How's she holding up?"
"We've been holding up alright. The stocks are going down a bit, but what can you do? Winter has just ended, now new stock will come in with the season."
Hopediah smiled at her warmly. "Ah, you're great great grandma Emma Plantar would be proud of ya. Able to take care of a child and yourself for this long. You're a strong Newt, you know that right?"
Pebbs chuckled. "Thanks, Hopediah. So, what's new? You stole Sylvia's heart yet?" She asked, wiggling her eye-brow. Hopediah blushed a bit, waving his arms around. "No! Stop! Hehe, as for what's been happening recently? Well a LOT has happened in these last few weeks-"
Before he could continue, a small, pink frog rushed around the corner. "HOP POP! HOP POP! RUN IT'S THE DEPUTY!" He shrieked. Following close behind him, the towns Deputy and most of Wartwood chased him.
Before any of the, could react, one had caught up to Sprig, picking him up by the scruff of his jacket before being cuffed. Another cuffed Hopediah, and Pebbs watched in confusion as the frogs led Hopediah and Sprig away.
Watching them leave, she made her way into the shop. After looking around for a bit, she walked over to the counter. "What did Hopediah do this time?" She asked, placing her things on the counter. The frog sighed. "His grand-daughter and scarecrow scammed the town. Nothin out of the ordinary." They droned. "That'll be 10 coppers."
Pebbs was taken aback by the new term "scarecrow". What did that mean? Shaking her head, she left the store.
Finally home, she let out a sigh. A trip to the town was always a big deal, and it always left her drained.
Opening the door, she stared blankly at the scuffed up children standing guiltily amongst a huge mess, a cat-erpillar rushing around the living room.
"Sorry mum, we found a caterpillar all alone and hungry and we thought-"
Pebbs raised a finger to silence her, rubbing the bridge of her nose as she was deep in thought. "I'm too tired for this. I'm gonna go take a nap, and that pet better be under control, and this mess cleaned before I wake up." She said, glaring tiredly at the girls as they let out a "Yes ma'am!".
