The Second Saga: Part Five

The sun was still warming as Oggin sauntered along the path toward The Village and he took off his pikka and slung it over his day bag to save carrying it. Bird song was coming from the woods and trees around him when suddenly he thought he heard a girly giggle nearby. At more or less the same moment he found himself up to his waist in cold, wet snow. Snow, wet snow, had gone down his neck. Snow, cold snow, had even gone up his trouser legs. Then he defiantly heard it, the unmistakable sound of the giggling of the Hasslesnag, coming from up in a tree nearby. In her green and red striped outfit, she was standing on a branch that wouldn’t have held a Sparrow, she was laughing and pointing at Oggin with a bony finger and then started to sing.

“Oggin the Snowman is a far from happy soul...Oggin the Snowman has got snow down ‘is ‘ole....His big bald head....should ‘ave stayed in bed....And not gone out for a stroll.......Don’t be sad Oggin the Ogg, Nitaa didn’t want the snow......so I gave it all to you....!”

With this, she just faded from sight like coloured mist and left Oggin, waist deep, cold and seething. With an effort he managed to extricate himself from the snow and stood to one side, shaking his trousers, his shirt and even his pikka, all of which had been occupied by cold, wet, clinging snow. He glanced up but the sky was clear and there were no trees over him. It was as if the Hasslesnag had just dropped the biggest snow ball ever, right on his head. With a damp arse and squelching foot covers he continued on his way, muttering dire and bloody revenge under his breath.

Damp and bedraggled and steaming very slightly, he arrived and Bob Weavers gate and called out. Bob himself appeared at the front door and motioned Oggin to come in, lifting the gate he went into the garden, the Donkey simply ignored him this time, consumed as it was with staring into space, there was no sign of the dogs, which worried Oggin. As he reached the veranda, Bob looked at him slightly askance.

“Wots ‘append to yew then boy...yum looks soakin’ through....git yersell in ‘ere and ‘ave a warm boy...”

As Oggin trudged up the step to the front door Bob turned and shouted into the house.

“Bob youngen’....come yew ‘ere an git this man’s coat ‘an put un next to the range....an’ tell yer ma ter git some tea on ‘an all...”  

A small’ish tousle haired boy ran into the room and Oggin passed him his sodden pikka before Bob lead him over to the stove at the rear of the room. Bob dragged a chair over as well but Oggin stood with his back to the heat and steamed quietly. Rob came into the room with a mug of something hot and passed it to the slightly warmer Oggin.

“Oh my word....Mister Oggin...wot on earth ‘append to yew than....?”

Cupping the mug in both hands, Oggin explained about the Hasslesnag and the huge ball of snow and both stood and listened, looking slightly perplexed.

“So this ‘ere ‘asslesnag then....is at sum kinda Pixie then...? asked Bob

“More like some kind of Imp...” answered Oggin, “...she never causes real harm...she wouldn’t actually hurt anyone....but she can be a real pain in the arse.....Oh...beg pardon...missus Weaver....”

“Never you mind Mister Oggin...” she replied, “...we’d a’got summits loike that’n down our way...we calls un the Lilyspinner.....roite bleedin’ nuisance she is too....!”

Oggin, who was now feeling warmer inside and out, handed his mug to Rob.

“That was very nice Rob....very nice indeed and most welcome too...”

“Thas alroite....I’ll be leaving yous two ta be gettin’ on with your business’es....you call out if’n you’d be wantin’ summit else now....”

By now Oggin felt dry enough that he could sit down in reasonable comfort so turned and perched himself on the chair Bob had offered. In his turn Bob brought another nearer the stove and the two men got down to discussing the job at Nitaa’s cottage. Bob offered to make the slide and a cover for this cat midden as he could do that at home and then it could be ready for when the hole had been dug. Oggin readily agreed to this as it would speed up the whole job and contracted to pay extra coin for the service. As it was already Thorsday, both men decided it would make sense to get an early start tomorrow and then work till just after midday on Slowdee. No one worked on Stoppdee but that would give them a good start for next week. It struck Oggin that Bob weaver was a ‘thinking man’ as well as a hard worker as he would chip in with sound suggestions as the discussion went on.

“Now then Oggin...I spose you’d a loike ta meet my lads....seein’ as ‘ow theys is gonna be ‘elping yous an’ such....”

“That would be nice....are they about....?”

“Aye....I’ll gi’em a call.......Bob!....git yersell in ‘ere an’ bring yer brother wi ya...”

“Roite you be Pa....!” came a reply from somewhere in the house.

Oggin watched as the two boys appeared, they were identical twins, like as two peas in a pod. Both looked like younger versions of their father, same mop of dark hair and the same open, honest faces and both with ready smiles.

“Oggin...this be Bob an’ ‘is brother...Bob...theys me eldest....”

“Pleased to meet you both lads....are you ready for a bit of hard work...?”

“Oh don’t you worry none Oggin...theys all’ays ready fer a bit o’work....” said Bob, as both boys nodded vigorously.

“Okay then boys...I’ll be round for you at first light....bring a bit of food with you and a pick an’ shovel each too.....I’ll bring the wheelbarrow and a sieve for the stones an’ such.....”

Bob shooed the boys away and Oggin stood to leave the warmth of the stove and the warmth of this family he’d come to like in a very short time.

“Now, Bob, are you sure you have enough timber to make this lid and such...?”

“Don’t yous worry your’sell Oggin...there’d be plenty hangin’ aroun’ this place as ain’t got no use...”

The two men shook hands as Rob brought Oggin’s pikka in from the kitchen and he put it on to find not only was it dry but very toasty inside too.

He set off home, the snow was starting to fade away from the ground and was a good omen for the week ahead. He went into the kitchen and was greeted by the smell of Spicy Squirrel stew and dumplings, one of his favourites. Kajoa was seated at the kitchen table and he joined her to let her know what had happened during the day. Over a mug of tea, she offered sympathy for his encounter with the Hasslesnag but laughed just the same.

“Wiel Oggin...yon supper’s ready when you are....so git your’sell washed up an’ sat doon....”

Oggin nodded and made his way to get rid of his pikka and foot covers and set the flag by the front door, for the Torchman, then went back to eat. After their meal, both he and Kajoa stayed in the warm kitchen, talking and drinking tea before the dark drove them both off to bed.