Creamy had slept in Jenny's room that night and they all had breakfast together the next morning. Eating her eggs and porkies, Jenny accidentally dropped her fork. All three looked at each other and then said together. 'Oops, lady on her way.' And of course they were right as a minute later there was a knock at the back door. It was Ocean and Rainbow back with their baskets. The travellers had lots to sell and their baskets were stuffed with ribbon and lace wound around old glittery Christmas cards. They also had cotton dusters, bunches of clothes pegs and big white chrysanthemum flowers that lasted for ever because they were made from willow sticks that had been cleverly peeled to make the petals. Creamy bought some dusters for cleaning the church and a bunch of the chrysanthemums. Ma bought some coloured ribbons, two bunch of red paper poppies and a dozen clothes pegs that she called Dolly pegs.
'Cheers ladies' said Ocean happily.
'We're off tomorrow so we won't see ya again for a few years, no work doing around here this time but we got us some work up in the middle country ready for the 'arvest so we're all moving on.'
'Well it's been lovely seeing you again anyway girls.' said Ma. 'You take care of yourselves and always be happy.'
'We always are.' laughed Rainbow. 'Thanks for the cup of cha' said Ocean kissing Ma on the cheek. Then the chattering gypsy women went on their way.
Creamy left to go to the church and Jenny went out to feed the wild birds. She made sure the robins got an extra big pinch of seed this time.
'Do you need me for anything today Ma? asked Jenny. 'Only I'd like to go and see Pinny and then go and play with Meg and Peg.'
'Go and make hay while the sun shines my little wren, that's what school holidays are for. I'm going to have a day catching my own tail.'
Jenny giggled, 'Hope you catch it Ma.'
Pinny Pipit was still happy doing her shop window mogelling job and was looking forward to going to the boat show again. The twins came out to play with Jenny and they all ran across the green to the duck pond. The huge tree that had come down in the great storm still lay across it as a bridge. The three silly triplets took off their socks and shoes and sat on the tree dipping their feet in the water. All the village kids loved the new tree bridge and played there all the time. Ooty loved it too. He liked to lay in the sun and catch the fish swimming beneath him, well he did in his dreams, but in reality he never actually caught one, but he still liked the idea of being a fisher cat.
'I saw Sid's mum this morning.' said Jenny to Meg and Peg.
'She said she's leaving tomorrow. Do you think that means Sid's leaving tomorrow too?'
'I'm going to really miss Sid.' said Peg sadly.
'Me too' said Meg, 'He's always fun to play with, he'll be over soon, he'll tell us if he's going.'
When Sid arrived he was looking very happy.
'It's all on for tomorra girls. Let Bill know will ya, I'm going to see me Mum now. Meet me 'ere tomorra at 3 o'clock. Don't nun of ya be late coz that's when the ol' duffer 'as a kip.'
The girls went to Billy's farm and gave him the message. Billy had to help his dad with some farm jobs so the silly triplets played for the rest of the day exploring Hod-me-dod-lee woods and then the vicarage garden next door.
'They have the midsummer ball in here.' said Meg, as the girls all squeezed into the vicar's garden through a hedge.
'Are you coming to the ball Jen?' asked Peg.
'I haven’t been asked yet.' said Jenny.
'Billy will ask you.' giggled the twins together.
'It's lovely, we go every year' said Meg. 'They have it here on the vicarage lawn. They used to put fairylights in all the trees before the war, I guess it will be just a moonlight ball now.'
'It sounds lovely.' said Jenny. 'What do you do at a ball?'
'Dance' said Peg 'and eat too much. Everyone in the village dresses up in their best evening clothes, even my Mum and Dad, and they dance and eat all night long.'
'And they have a real band to play the dance music.' said Meg 'You'll love it Jen.'
Jenny thought it sounded wonderful and she hoped she would be allowed to go.'