The Memoirs Of A Reteep. Part 3

Sorry about the delay since the last part, I haven't had much motivation to write for a while but today I actually had some again! I hope you enjoy it! 😄

“Bomnubbles!” Cried Oskar, turning to face the man who had spoken, “You spooked me sir!”

A Shrivled old man with a fine gray mustache hobbled out from behind an overstuffed bookshelf, leaning heavily on a black cane.

The man had a gruff, but kindly voice that had a hint of hollish in its accent. “Pardon me lad, I didn't mean to frighten you! But I suppose I can be rather good at that without trying, sneaking up on my customers all the time.” He chucked and then looked up again.

“Allow me to introduce myself! I am the retired Colonel Garfy Wopston of the Torborian guard, and current owner of this fine, but ramshackle establishment, and who might you be my little fellow?" He asked, leaning forward and placing both of his boney old hands on the top of the cane.

“I am Oskar Noss Reteep, appreciator of the strange, neat, and/or the yummy!” Replied Oskar, with a slight bow.

“Interesting title young Reteep!” The old man chuckled again, “I’m afraid you wont find much neatness round here, but strange and yummy things I most certainly have in abundance! Follow me and we can have a snack while you tell me what you came for.”

Without waiting for an answer the old man hobbled off through the towering maze of bookshelves, Oskar had to trot to catch up! The Colonel was apparently rather spry despite his age!

“Oh don’t bother yourself on my account sir! I just came to look around!” Oskar puffed as he trotted up beside him.

“It’s no bother at all lad, I haven’t had a young fellow like you come in, let alone seem interested in my store for many a long year! It would be a pleasure if you would join me for tea!”

Aside from Oskar being clobbered by a stack of books that decided to topple on him as he passed and the Colonel getting lost once on the way, they made it without mishap to a cluttered office in the back.

As they walked through the door to The Colonel’s office a delicious smell met Oskar’s once again sweaty nose! On a table set in the middle of the room a fine late morning tea was spread! There were hot plumbyum muffins, a platter of honey biscuits, bowls of fresh cream and glistening sugarberries and a large fruitcake that looked almost too delicious to eat!

A middle aged woman with reddish brown hair tied in a bun and a white apron over a light blue dress walked in carrying a tray with an oversized and intricately decorated porcelain tea pot which she set in the middle of the table.

“Ah see you have brought ah guest along taday Colonel!” She said in a cheerful and accented voice, “Ah’ve takin the liberty of already setting out another teacup for the wee lad!”

“Thank you Mabel, he said with a sigh, as he eased his creaky body into an overstuffed armchair behind the table, “Go ahead and bring some extra sugarberrys as well! You know how much youngin’s like them with fresh cream!”

Mabel smiled as she tucked the now empty tray under her arm, “Ah’ve already done it sah! And denna worry, if more are needed just ring yon bell!”

As Mable walked out the back door to a small separated kitchen shed the Colonel leaned forward and whispered secretively, “I’ve got this feeling that she can somehow read my mind and tell what I’m going to think before I even think it! Marvelous woman is what she is, but then again, so are all the women in my family!”

“Is she your daughter sir?” Oskar asked distractedly, with his eyes riveted on the food.

“No no! She’s my Niece, came all the over from The Green Hollows to care for me after my health took a turn, Jolly decent of her don’t you know!”

The Colonel paused and then smiled when he saw that Oskar hadn't been paying attention due to being completely distracted by the sight of all the delicious food.

“Ah well, enough of my rambling,” he said with a smile as he leaned back again,“would you say the grace young Oskar and then let’s tuck in! Wot!