With lunch over, and Beth safely tucked away for a nap, Wally and Dan left the Bookback residence. Wally had become invaluable to Dan throughout the whole process. Not only had his otter friend insisted he come work on the site, he had made all the arrangements to get Dan the contract. To top it off Wally, with some assistance from his wife, had found Dan and his daughter a place to stay. The small rental cottage was a fifteen minute drive from the Brookback house. Although, the drive was through slow and winding woodland roads, which made the fifteen minutes seem considerably longer. Wally's old car jostled and bumped along the road as they pulled up to the gravel driveway.
There were four neat little cottages lined up in a row. Each had their stone and brickwork painted over with a gentle white. On top a thatched roof and a small stone chimney popped out through the thick mesh of thatching. The cottages had been built to provide seasonal residence for workers of farm that had once stretched over much of these western lands. Of course, with time the farm had diminished in side. Now, only a small portion remained spanning the area behind the cottages, and surrounding a cheerful looking farm house.
Getting out of the car, Wally nodded towards the cottage before them. "This is it, hope it will do for the season. We just need t'get the keys, an' we can start unloading yer suitcases. " He waved a paw for the squirrel to join him. Dan followed, admiring the neat little flower planters that lined the walkways that interconnected each of the holiday cottages. Wally rang the bell for the larger farm house. Moments later, a homely looking elderly hedgehog-lady answered. She wore thick spectacles perched on her narrow snout. Her spikes were white with age, Dan suspected her to be well into her eighty's or perhaps even ninety's. Although it was a warm afternoon, the hedgehog wore a heavy knit sweater over her shapeless floral-print dress. With a twitching snout and a cheerful smile she opened the door for the squirrel and otter. She warmly took Dan's paw saying, "You must be Mr. Firdance. I've heard all about you, so happy you will be staying in my cottages with that little daughter of yours. Firdance, hmm, I know that name. I don't suppose you're any relation to the Firdances of Water-meadowshire?"
Dan shook his head softly. "Couldn't say ma'am, family have been in Canada for at least five or six generations."
The old hedgehog looked disappointed. "Oh well, no matter. I'm Mrs. Witherspyke; it is pronounced Wither Spike but spelt with a Y rather than an I." She explained gently. From the key hook she retrieved two keys dangling from a single key-ring. "I'm sure you're anxious to get to see the cottage. I do hope you won't mind me not joining you, but the rheumatism keeps me in much of the time now. If you need anything I'm only around the corner, my number is posted by the phone. Take care, now Mr. Firdance." Passing the keys into Dan's paws, the ancient hedgehog shuffled back into her home.
"Don't mind old Mrs. Witherspyke." Wally said as they headed towards the rented cabin. "Her daughter says she's a fussy old creature, but means well. If she starts calling you up or any such nonsense, her daughter's number is listed by the phone. She told me t'pass on that she can politely slip word to her mother t'stop being a bother if it comes to that." As they passed the car Wally opened the trunk. They each pulled along the heavy suitcases towards the cottage.
The squirrel turned the key in the lock, pushing the heavy door inwards. "I don't think it will come to that. She seems like a kindly old lady."
The rental cottage was small, but comfortable enough for a season. Dan sniffed the air; there was the strong smell of soap. It wasn't especially unpleasant, nor did it hold any masking floral or citrus scent as many cleaners did. It just smelled of soap. There was a small porch, with hooks for hats and jackets. This lead into the small reception room, then it was up a step to the kitchen. Hauling the luggage through the two lower level rooms, both squirrel and otter were faced with a perilously narrow flight of wooden stairs. Glancing up at the flight of stairs, they each gazed despairingly at the suitcases they would have to take up.
"'tis yer place. Only fair ye go first." Wally stepped back, making a comical half bow to his friend.
"Thank you kindly Mr. Brookback. Well at least I'll have a soft landing when I tumble down." Laughing Dan took hold of his daughter's suitcase. Step by step he ascended each wooden step. The wooden steps creaked, as if they threatened to give way. Each beast was panting when they finally got to the top.
The upper floor held the two bedrooms and the only bathroom. Peeking into the bathroom Dan shook his head. "Beth isn't going to like the look of this." He chuckled. The bathroom was small with limited storage space. Being male this didn't bother Dan in the slightest. After all it was plenty big for his needs. However, his teenage daughter might have something to say about it. Dan could already spy Beth's first complaint. The showerhead was not fixed to the wall as it typically was in North American style bathrooms. Instead the showerhead was attached to a short hose, and would require be held in one paw.
Wally had gone on ahead to inspect the bedrooms. "Both seem t'be the same size. " He motioned to one of the rooms. "That one has a nice view of the countryside."
Dan pushed his daughter's suitcase towards the room Wally had indicated. "I'll let Beth have it then. Might encourage her to actually wake up in the morning."
"Hey, you gonna get up?" A paw prodded Beth gently.
Slowly coming to wakefulness she blinked several times not sure where she was. Sitting up she rubbed her eyes and saw a young female otter wearing a school uniform, standing beside the bed. Blinking her vision cleared. Remembering where she was, Beth regarded this young otter curiously. The girl had a short blue/green plaid skirt, blue sweater and a white collared shirt on underneath. On the left side of the sweater was the school crest, which in the low light Beth couldn't make out. Of course all Beth could think of was Harry Potter, as school uniforms were not prevalent in her neighbourhood.
The young otter smiled brightly. "Mummy wanted me t'wake ye up. I'm Annie, I'm the youngest." Not much older than six or seven seasons of age, the young otter held her head high as she explained this to Beth.
"Nice to meet you Annie, I'm Beth." The squirrel got out of bed setting the blankets neatly behind her.
"I know that already."Spinning about on her paws Annie left the bedroom, not seeming to care if Beth followed or not.
It seemed all of the four Brookback children had returned from school. Two young otter boys sat at the kitchen table, each with pencils pressed hard to paper as they struggled to solve math problems. They had already changed out of their school uniforms, and now wore matching shorts and rugby shirts.
"What did I tell you Annie? Go change out of that uniform please, an' hang it up nicely." May sighed calling out to her youngest daughter. Another otter girl passed her by, and she was quick to give her orders as well. "Nance, have you done your homework?"
The teen grumbled under her breath. "Yes mum." She replied with a slight roll of her eyes.
"I'll have none of that cheek missy. Exams start tomorrow, y'better has studied that's all I'll say." Paws up in exasperation the otter wife spied Beth, and her tone changed drastically. "Did you have a good sleep deary? I was just about to order a curry for tea. You do like curry don't you?"
"Yeah, I like Indian food." Beth nodded slowly; partly afraid of what May might say if she didn't.
The two young boys perked up excitedly at the mention of take out. "Curry for tea brilliant! I want mine extra spicy."
"I want mine extra spicy too." His brother added.
"Do not, ye only want it 'cos I does."
"Na uh, I always likes extra spice."
"Then how come y'didn't get it that way last time?"
May quickly intervened. "Willy, Durvy, Enough of your foolishness. You'll eat what I get you an' be grateful you have food t'eat."
Beth very slowly inched away from the kitchen. Nance the Brookback's eldest daughter sat on the chesterfield with one of her textbooks. She wasn't exactly studying, just holding the book in place to hide that she was playing with her mobile phone. Seeing this Beth offered her a smile, wishing she had that SIM card her father promised to get her. Here she was on the ground several hours now, and hadn't sent one text message. Her paws were itching to reconnect with her world.
"They always like this?" Beth tried to strike up conversation with her fellow youth.
Peering up from the tiny screen Nance nodded. "Oh aye, or worse. Willy and Durvy are a regular pair of brats." Her head quickly focused back to the screen.
"So…um… are you, like, working on the dig site too?" Beth ventured asking. It would be nice to make friends her own age.
Peering up again the otter shook her head. "Naw, heh, what do I looks like t'ye mate? Some sorta mole? I don't go digging in none o'that dirt. Got me a summer job anyhow. Once school's out I'm helping Mrs. Grimp from up over the hill. She has a little sweet shop not far from here, and agreed t'take me on at seven quid an hour."
Although Beth was a bit disappointed that Nance wasn't going to be at the dig site, she could see the excitement in the young otter's eyes. "That sounds awesome."
"I know right?" Nance continued to beam as she set aside her textbook. Her mother was too busy with her younger siblings to enforce her studying. "D'ye play video games?"
Beth shrugged."Depends."
"Well, I just got this new dance game for season-day. Really cool, come on I'll show ye." Hopping up to her paws, she scooped up her book and hurried towards the room she shared with her sister.
May smiled watching the young squirrel and otter scamper off together. Pleased that they were getting along so well. Beth seemed to be such a sweet young squirrel, and it wouldn't hurt if some of her manners rubbed off on Nance. All previous instructions to study seemed forgotten.
Once the cottage was in order, Wally dropped Dan off at the car dealership to pick up the car he was leasing for the season.
"I'll leave this one t'ye mate. Remember, left side o'the road yeah?" winking broadly Wally clapped his friend on the shoulder. "I'll see y'back at the house. I suggest you and the little miss try t'get some sleep. We start five in the morning. Wit, or witout ye."
Dan got out of the car, giving his friend a comical salute. "Aye aye Skipper!" Returning the wink he crossed the parking lot. He was anxious to start. It had been over a season since he had done any archaeological work, most of his work now kept him in the classroom. Dan wondered if he would sleep a wink. He could almost smell the dirt and the clay that would surround him for the rest of the season. Giddy with excitement, he nearly tripped on the step leading up to the dealership office. Oh what fun this season was going to bring.