Hello and welcome to The Sunday Selfies! 

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     Hello, and welcome to the 6th selfie of the New Year.

    
But first, the continuation of our little story. . . .


     Mrs Hudson sat beside Erin's bed and gazed down on the princess, who was looking particularly dishevelled. "Well, how do you feel?"

    "A bit better today, thank you, Mrs H. I think. . . " Erin blew her nose into a fresh tissue and then dropped it into a small dustbin beside her bed, joining countless others. "I think I'm over the worst of that flu bug. But I do feel as though I could sleep for a week."

    "So nearly back to normal then." Mrs Hudson winked to indicate she was only joking, as she knew the princess was not one to sit down on the job, well, not unless there was an unruly mouse to be SAT on. Looking at the thermometer, she'd just taken from Erin's mouth, she double-checked the reading. Satisfied, and having wiped it clean, she slipped it back into its case and carefully sat it on the bedside table. "Well, I'm pleased to say your temperature is back to normal 101.4 to be precise. As fit-as-a-flea, in fact."

    Erin blushed. "Ah, sorry about that I think maybe I do have one—"

    Mrs Hudson put up her hand to stop Erin from continuing. "Don't worry dear, I have spoken to your consultant, and they have made an appointment for you in a few weeks, once you are feeling fully recovered. Now let this all be a lesson for you. Never go out playing in the torrential rain even if you are seeing them toms off for trespassing. There's are a time and a place for these things, and if boys want to go galavanting around and catching colds – well that's up to them. You have responsibilities, my dear, and think what would have happened if both you and I were sick at the same time! Old Ned the gardener couldn't have coped with the cooking; believe me when I say the surprise in his 'vegetable surprise' soup was that he'd managed to peel-but not cook the veg. And Mrs Gusting, the reserve cleaner, would have damaged more than she cleaned; I really do need to book her in for an opticians appointment."

    "I'm sorry Mrs H, I really didn't mean to cause all this fuss; I'll be better next time and just shout at those boys in future, at night, from the upstairs bedroom window."

    Mrs Hudson winced at the likely caterwauling and increased lack of sleep she'd get, then sighed. Despite the reproving remarks, she really couldn't blame Erin for being a feline and estate proud. And there had been so much of it – the cold bug – going around. "Just promise me you'll be more careful dear, that is all. If it's raining or cold, wrap up warm and take your vitamins. Less snack food takeaways and more wholesome nourishment."

    Erin propped herself up in bed and beckoned Mrs Hudson over to listen. "Is there any news about, you know, my letter to Val?"

    "What letter is that dear? You sent a gift for Myrna, and she sent you a nice reply. I read that to you yesterday."

    "Oh, yes, not that. I mean that proposition I had for VAL." Erin gave her best attempt at a knowing wink like Mrs H's."

    "I do hope you and Seville have not got involved in another nip enterprise – South Sea Nip Futures or some other nonsense the Weasel Syndicate Inc. may have cooked up. Those things never hold water, and you will lose your money too!"

    "No, my Valentines Day proposition to Val, and my email letter asking him to, well you know, get hitched!"

    "Ahhh. I hate to be the bearer of bad news, Erin, but I think you were hallucinating – delirious during your fever. I recall you – how should I put it – rambling on about some nautical themed adventures. Alas, I paid no regard. Though Val did send you a nice gift of a fluffy pink teaser."

    "So no gushing acceptance speeches?"

    "No, dear."

    "No bunches of roses and appointments for getting a gown and rings and booking a holiday to Portland?"

    "Alas, not. Sometimes we say things when we have a fever – live out in our dreams things that are desires rather than fact. Don't worry, though, at least you weren't mobile enough to send out invites or blog about it."

    Erin sighed, and Mrs H could see she had rather burst a bubble that Erin had for so long been inflating in her heart. "Best you rest up and get your strength back so we can get things back to normal. I'm still not over this cold of mine, and will need a hand chasing the mice that have taken advantage of your two-week illness!"

    "Two weeks! But I thought I had been off for a day, maybe two or three at the most!" Erin frowned, things really must have been bad. She made a mental note to contact Seville ASAP, to advise him about Mrs H's comments, and suggest they buy shares elsewhere to fund their early retirement plans.

    "Right," Mrs H continued as she got up and picked up Erin's empty breakfast tray, "time to get a move on. Rooms to dust, and guttering to wash and leaves to rake. Press the bell if you need me, otherwise have a small nap and then maybe work on this week's blog post?" Mrs H smiled and left the room, letting the door click softly shut behind her.

    Life, it seemed to Erin, had returned to normal. . . .






    Thank you for visiting us this week, and we hoped you enjoyed our frivolous fun feline fancy.

     If you have any particular favourite recipes for recuperative food and tonics, please do send them in a sealed container marked "URGENT Nip Medical Supplies", to me here at the Palace, and I'll make sure I take them as soon as possible ;)


     To see what our international blogging pals have been up to this week, be it tonics lotions or potions, or just neat nip brandy, then please click the links below, and enjoy the Hop!