Eleven

'Have you seen my Moomin that Abbie gave me for Christmas, George?'
Your Moomin. Yes I have Pips actually.
'I can't find it'.
That’s because I’ve hidden it.
'I can't believe I can lose things in a flat this size'.
You're not very warm at the moment. In fact you're cold.
'I drive myself mad….'.
You're even colder now.
'I really do’.
Now you're freezing.
'It's got to be here somewhere. It can't have gone far for God's sake'.
You're a bit less freezing…
'Have you had it George?'
You're getting warmer….you’re even warmer … you're hot now Pips.
'What are you looking at me like that for George?'
You're absolutely boiling! Look Pips! Can you see it?
'What's it doing in the wastepaper bin?'
I put it there.
'It couldn't have got in there on it's own that’s for sure'.
You found it Pips. Hooray! Wasn’t that fun? It's very important to have fun sometimes. Like……now for instance!'
'No! George give it back’.
I don't really feel like it.
'Drop it'.
No.
'George!'
No.
'Give me back my Moomin’.
It's my turn to hide it again.
'George come back!’
I'm hiding it again Pips….
'No, not in the bathroom George….George no! Not in the toi/’
See? Isn't that terrific?'
'That's naughty George’.
I just thought of it. Just then.
‘That's very naughty'.
But it’s easy to/
'No get your nose out. OK get out of the bathroom. Now! While I fish it out…'


'Right. It’s my turn. I’ve hidden it somewhere to dry. The Moomin is not your toy George. It's from Skandium and it was very expensive'.
You said Skandium was a rip off during one of our Christmas shopping expeditions, Pips, if I remember rightly.
'Some things are not for you. I don’t want everything ruined’.
I didn’t ruin it, I just put it in the toilet which is not ruining it actually. I was only having some fun because I have a very active personality and lots of enthusiasm and if I am not kept occupied I will make my own entertainment. That's what Wendy used to say about me on a good day so I don't think it's fair to be cross when you never play rough and tumble with me. Steve used to play rough and tumble with me every evening, while Debs put dinner in the microwave, which suited us both very well. He let me chew the sofa if I wanted to and once I ripped up some of the carpet and we had lots of fun and I don’t think I should have to apologise for being bored when in fact it’s because you don’t play rough and tumble with me. I think perhaps you’re not much fun Philippa. None at all. And now I am going to sit in my bookcase, if you don’t mind, and I don't want to be disturbed.


Pips loves her Moomin more than me because it was a Christmas present. But it's only a Moomin…..what do Moomins do anyway? It doesn’t jump and play ball like I can. And Pips hasn't seen all my tricks anyway. I have a lot more to offer. George has many other strings to his bow.