Once upon a time,  deep in a valley surrounded by fields sat Wilton homestead in wood valley full of farm animals and wonky vegetable patches. The owner’s Mr Skipper Sibbick and Mrs Ella Sibbick spent their days caring for the animals and tending to the vegetable plants. Ella was a messy gardener but everything she touched grew abundant. Their animals all had names, they had chickens, ducks and goats and a few house pet’s who they adored, two ginger cats and one smooth collie.

Being introverted people they chose to live in the country away from the crowded towns where you have to pay to park and the high rise flats that reach into the sky. Skipper spent his days pottering about in his shed and workshop, he had a good hand in woodworking. making homemade furniture for the house and a potting table that Ella received on her birthday.

He finished it off with some wax “that should hold for a year or two with our weather, I will top it up with more wax next year”. In the winter the valley would get hit by ice cold winds, over the hill was the seafront and on the other side were fields for miles and miles full of horses and sheep. You could always hear their echo “baa baa” Skipper and Ella would watch the horses run across the hills hearing their gallop echo across the valley. They had a spectacular view they were very fond of.

In the garden behind Skipper’s shed live two woodland pigeons Percy and penny they have been partners for 5 years. Each year they would rear their chicks but unfortunately the last two years Spencer the Sparrow hawk had taken a chick. Although Percy had done his duty on the lookout ready to chase away any predators, Spencer the Sparrow hawk would always be too quick for Percy the pigeon.

“Percy darling you did your best, Go fetch me some more sticks to make our nest fuller so our last chick doesn’t get cold” said Penny the pigeon. Off Percy went searching for sticks for his beloved family.

As Ella woke for a day’s work at the homestead she’d always look out the window to see what had been eaten or taken by the fox cubs the night before. “Owww they have dug up my beetroot again I must put a net over the vegetable patch but I don’t want any of the birds to get stuck in the netting” Ella had a soft spot for all her garden visitor’s especially the birds in particular, a little red Robin would visit her everyday by the potato patch. “Now then let’s pop the kettle on” she mumbled to Chai, her smooth collie. Her two ginger cats Tom and Teddy had already set out much earlier that morning through the cat flap.

The copper kettle whistled on the stove.” Skip Would you like your tea in a mug or a flask to take with you? ” she asked skipper, “I must take a flask today. I have a lot of work to get finished for a few clients” Skipper was a craftsman he had many clients to see to. “Will you take chai with you today? I need to sort the hens out and well she seems to always get under my feet trying to herd them” said Ella “Yes of course she can come with her dad to work” smiled Skip who never turned down the company of his best friend.

As Skipper loaded his truck with tools and finished pieces of furniture Ella set out to have her tea. “Hettie, Dorris, Martha I’m here to join you for breakfast!” Of course she wasn’t talking to anyone else but the hens.

She sat on an old stool covered in straw sipping her tea enjoying the company of the hens, she soaked up last summer heat.”Winter will be here soon girls so it will be time to weatherproof your run in a month or two, another job for skipper to add to his never ending list” she giggled.

Summer days at the homestead were full of chores. After cleaning the animal pens out and letting them out in the paddock she would tend to her garden harvesting all sorts of ripe fruits and vegetables. Among the wonky vegetable patch she would find Tom sunbathing amongst the pumpkin’s and Teddy stalking the house sparrows by the rose bush.She shared her vegetables with many creatures big and small she understood the importance of sharing her crops with wildlife in order for an abundant and healthy land. She hadn’t time to get rid of all the so-called pests and everything was grown organic. Not a weed killer on site. Although the green grocer would always laugh at her wonky carrots they still sold.

“Pip pip” she called her goats in for the night who had no sense of direction, a time she wouldn’t mind having chai around to herd them back in. “Now then let’s count we have Daisy, Lara, Lucy and hmm where is erratic Edna? I hope she’s not on one of her adventures again. I will have to check back after dinner. After all, it doesn’t get dark till 9.”

Tom and Teddy followed her into the kitchen pushing up against her leg purring as she put the stove on, heating up the beef stew she made the day before. “Okay boys we have to wait for Chai and Skip to get back then we can all eat together, they shouldn’t be long” she looked at her old fashioned clock hanging on the kitchen wall ticking away. “We have 20 minutes before they arrive let’s set the table ready”, she loved setting the table using her old fashioned bowls decorated with illustrations of foxgloves and roses. The colours were still vibrant with pinks, reds and yellows after so many years. 

Tom and Teddy could hear the truck arriving before Ella could, a moment later the old truck’s engine was shuddering when Skipper parked on the drive. The door slammed and in came Chai very keen to see Ella greeting her with a kiss and chasing the cats around the living room. Skip came in very tired. ” Soo..did they like the finished pieces?” Ella asked nervously. “They bloody loved them and have asked I make some more hand made furniture for their second accomodations” Skip didn’t always show a lot of emotion in his voice so to use the word bloody meant he was a happy chap. “That’s brilliant news, let’s get you some dinner you must be starving” said Ella. First she dished up her husband’s bowl, a small portion for herself, then the leftovers were dished out to Chai, Tom and Teddy who all licked their food bowls clean.

Skip and Ella sat at the dinner table slurping up the beef stew, chatting away with smiles passed to one another. Both in their mid twenties they had been together since highschool. They had a difficult time up until their early twenties and were both just getting back on their feet although the grief would still catch them out they still found small magical moments with each other. 

After dinner Ella asked Skip to help find Edna the goat. They took chai with them with luck she’d find Edna. ” These animals don’t let you rest, do they” said Skip. Ella was amazing with her hens but the goats would only really listen to Skipper. 

Chai’s long pointy nose was moving like an anteater leading them to Edna “there’s our girl come on Edna pip pip nothing in this shed for you” said Skipper they found her in the food shed with her head in a bag of grains.

Of course the chickens naturally took themselves to bed and the ducks would follow but Ella would still check if there were any strays.

“They’re all safe, all the animals are where they need to be, nunight gang” said Ella before making her way back to the house to finish washing up. Skipper took a nice long bubble bath he scrubbed and scrubbed his working hands but the wax and paint would never fully come off. The hot bath soothed his muscle aches and helped open up any splinters stuck in his hands. 

Bed time was always around 10pm. Not long after the candles were lit they were blown out, Skip and Ella tucked into a handmade bedspread. Peacefully quiet they both fell asleep with Chai at the end of the bed.

“Tap tap tap, scuffle scuffle scuffle” Chai woke growling deeply at the strange noises from outside. She was familiar with every little noise on the homestead but this noise was different, the smell in the air tickled her hackles, she crept down stairs hearing the noise again “tap tap tap, scuffle, scuffle scuffle”  only it was inside. She took her last step down the stairs only to be met by a new family to Wilton homestead, a family of mice holding small suitcases.  “I see you have made yourself at home, Tom and Teddy will be delighted to have such special guests” said Chai. 

3 mice stood nervously looking back at Chai, Mr Mouse, Mrs Mouse and Little mouse. Mr mouse stuttered “We..we are sorry to intrude, our home got destroyed last night, we are looking for somewhere safe for my family to stay” Chai looked very vicious at times especially to a tiny little mouse. ” Have you come from the farm up the road that got knocked down? If so come in my friend no need to be nervous of me although we will need to hide you from Tom and Teddy ` said Chai. ”Thank you dear, we are truly grateful” cried Mrs mouse. “Your safest place to stay will be the attic but I’m not sure how to get you there” said Chai.

“We climb very well and fit in tiny holes smaller than ourselves” whispered little mouse.

They all made their way to the attic, tap tap tap, scuffle scuffle scuffle their tiny feet tapped against the wooden floor and their suitcases heavy with belongings scuffled on the ground. “The attic entrance is just above the landing; you will have to climb up there to see if there is a way in” said Chai. Mr Mouse made his way up first while Mrs mouse and Little mouse waited behind Chai’s long leg. “I have found a way in” said Mr Mouse. Mrs mouse and Little Mouse followed. “Be careful if you venture out, Tom and Teddy Will be back by morning. They are both very good hunters. Teddy normally enjoys hunting the house sparrows but I wouldn’t chance it” said chai. “Thank you, we won’t be much trouble. I will find a more suitable place for my family to stay but for now we must rest and stock up on food for our long journeys ahead. good night my friend” said Mr Mouse, the farm he came from was full of lazy retired dogs who had no interest in mice so being hunted was not something that crossed their mind often.

 The sun was rising over the valley. Golden colours beamed into the bedroom gently waking Skip and Ella, Ella’s golden brown hair was frizzy and her smile was big. “It’s the weekend, let’s do our chores then walk in the forest. I want to collect sticks for some autumn crafts and search for some fairies” said Ella. Magic was never lost in Ella’s imagination; she believed in spirits and creatures of all sorts. Skip and Ella had been through a lot and she found peace creating an inner world of wonder. Skip understood her way of coping; it made him happy she could find joy. 

They headed to the forest in the next village, Chai knew it was risky and was hoping to get back to the homestead at least to distract both Tom and Teddy from the mouse family staying in the attic. On their way they passed the farm that was knocked down “I can’t believe the developers got their filthy hands on cuckmere farm. Did you know Michael and Eva had to go stay with their parents after selling the farm? As soon as the developers got the keys they knocked down the farmhouse the same day.”  said Skip in such disbelief. “We can visit them on the way home to make sure they’re okay. It must have been a tough decision to make” said Ella.

 It was a very familiar feeling for Skip, after such a complex and sad event Skip only had his sister Danielle and his wife Ella to call his family. 

His grandparents’ estate on the isle of wight was left to both him, his sister and his aunt Kim who he didn’t know very well. The land he grew up on and the house he slept in had to be put up for sale. He desperately wanted to cling on to the last safe place he knew as home. Tears swelled around his green eyes passing cuckmere farm brought up emotions of grief, Ella knew the only way to comfort him was to be in each other’s company.

Back at Wilton homestead, Tom and Teddy sat on top of the dining table grooming their scruffy ginger coats. Teddy heard in the distance tap tap tap it sounded similar to the noise the mouse family made without the scuffles. “Tom, did you hear that tapping noise?” Said Teddy. “Yeah I did, it’s just the old wooden floors expanding in the heat, not every noise is a mouse” laughed Tom.

The duo soon got distracted and put their attention on the house sparrows gathering at the bird feeder outside.

When Skip and Ella arrived at the forest they let off a big sigh of relief , the forest gave Skip a warm fuzzy feeling like he was home. Nothing bad could happen in a place such as a magical forest. They followed a path into the forest following the big oak tree’s with chai beside them. “Hold my hand” said Ella. Skip reached out his big warm hands grabbing Ella’s small dainty fingers and before the walk even began Ella was telling a tale of the fairies who lived in the forest.

“Deep in the forest under a big wise oak tree lived two fairies Niall and Layla who held magical powers from earth gifted by mother Gaia. The powers they held were unique and only gifted to them after such loss. 

The story began after the silver light that normally beamed from their cores became Dim and dull from grief. Although they always had each other they couldn’t find their way through the thick forest trees and shrubs with such dim lights. Niall and Layla searched for things such as sticks to make a fire, the sticks kept them warm and light for only a small amount of time, so they searched again. This time collecting small stones to feel grounded but the stones were too heavy to bare for Niall and Layla. The stones kept them heavily grounded so they couldn’t  move forward. They continued their search leaving a blue trail of sorrow behind them. Deep in the forest they found a stream with water flowing so gently but quickly. They placed their small bodies in the water, it quickly cleansed their sorrows , scared they would never remember why they felt the grief they escaped the stream with wet wings.

After time they became exhausted searching so they flew back under the big wise oak tree for safety and rest.

After a good night’s rest morning came. Layla woke to find Niall was not with her, she panicked making her way out of her tiny bedroom down the spiralling wooden stairs and into the living room where she found Niall floating who possessed a big beaming golden light that filled the whole room. Different to their previous silver light.The light made Niall feel safe and fuzzy. Layla found Niall surrounded by one stone keeping him grounded, one stick with fire keeping him warm and light, lastly a pot of water from the gentle stream cleansing his sorrows gently but never to be forgotten.

The moment Layla realised with time and balance the hole in their heart caused by grief could mend again , a massive golden beam shone so bright starting from her core. The golden beams of light were like no other ; they were different and the most powerful energy possessed in the whole forest.

Gifted from mother Gaia they used their wisdom to help other lost creatures creating balance and peace across all the land and forest. Many creatures on earth had forgotten the lost power of mother Gaia and the power they all hold within to love again after grief.”

Once the short story ended Ella and skip found themselves back in the car park they had looped the whole way round. “Guess we better get back, let’s visit Michael and Eva first” said skip who seemed content to visit them. Chai had an idea that even a smart collie would struggle to come up with. She knew the mouse family had come from Michael and Eva’s farm and thought about locating the mice back with them. She knew they had no cats and the dogs were too lazy to care for the mouse family. She kept a keen eye out on the way sticking her head out the window with her tongue hanging out. Making sure to remember the directions. When they arrived to visit Michael and Eva outside stood a sign Little worth close , Wood valley. Chai knew it was in the same village as wilton homestead so it wouldn’t be far for the mouse family to travel too.

When Skip was met with Michael and Eva he realised he could offer his support to help them through this tough phase in their life. they had experienced grief in a different way to Skip and Ella but all the same they had lost something they loved dearly.

Shortly after they arrived back home with aching feet, Skip and Ella put their feet up in the living room. Chai was on a mission to tell Mr mouse the good news before she forgot the directions to Little worth close. She went over them in her head “so it was over the hill one left and two right turns or was it one right two left turns? No it was the first one “ Tom and Teddy were sunbathing outside after getting bored of the house sparrows so Chai had a chance to tell Mr mouse without getting caught. She didn’t know how she would get up in the attic though. Making her way to the landing below the attic she heard tap tap tap. No scuffles this time. She used her long pointy nose and spiky ears to find where it came from. She was good at finding erratic Edna the goat so finding Mr mouse shouldn’t be a problem.

She found herself in one of the spare bedrooms where Ella would hang her herbs to dry and store her pickling jars. The house was always full of odd bits and bobs compared to Ella’s friend’s house that was kept clean and tidy but mind you Ella and Skip were the only ones living on a homestead.

Amongst all the odd bits and bob’s Chai found Mr mouse busy as a bee talking to himself collecting pieces of string and dried herbs, he even found a button which he knew Mrs Mouse would adore. He liked collecting things. It’s in his nature the mouse family save bits and bobs for a rainy day oddly like Ella does with her pickling jars and herbs. Chai’s big head stood right in front of Mr mouse close enough to make her cross eyed. Mr mouse was too busy to even notice her. It took a minute or two before he realised she was there. He froze as still as a picture before noticing it was Chai not Tom and Teddy who he’d been previously warned about. Mr mouse leaned on chai”s wet pointy nose “Ch Chai my friend, I’m just stocking up for emergencies in case we don’t get the chance to head off before Tom and Teddy come back.” said Mr Mouse nervously. Chai became aware Mr mouse spoke with a stanmer whenever he became nervous so she made sure to make him feel safe and comfortable. 

“ I have good news for you and your family, the old humans you shared cuckmere farm with. I have located them and they are still in Wood valley so it shouldn’t be a long journey for you. I have the directions memorized in my head. I knew all those agility classes would keep my memory sharp” said Chai. Chai was always sharp, remembering her way around the agility course after just one go.

Chai had good faith that Mr mouse would remember the directions although the mouse family didn’t have good eyesight they had amazing memories. Chai was worried about the journey for them. But then remembered the mouse family made it all the way to Wilton homestead from the farm in one piece. Chai learnt to put her faith in Mr mouse. She was so used to leading the way herding animals leading them in the right direction afterall it was her job as a collie. Herding the lost. 

She passed on the directions to Mr mouse listening eagerly with his big dumbo like ears.

 Mr mouse was so happy to hear the good news he dropped everything with excitement then frantically looked for that special button making sure to bring it back to Mrs mouse. Without saying goodbye to chai he ran back to the attic to share the good news with Mrs mouse and little mouse and they planned to leave that evening. 

Packing their suitcases with the bits and bobs they set off but it wasn’t a sad moment for the mouse family or chai, although they had made good friends it was okay to move on to where they belong.

Mr mouse and his family were always looking to the future losing their home at the farm was part of their journey relocating was a risk. But being a mouse was full of risks everyday.

No matter who you are, a creature big, small,  a human, good or bad  we will always experience loss.

The woodland pigeons Percy and Penny who experience the loss of their chicks each year, the mouse family who experience losing their home along with Michael and eva, Skip and Ella who experienced the loss of multiple family members and the special fairies Niall and Layla who’s lights were dimmed by a loss we don’t know about but can understand deeply. They all lost someone or something but still in the depth of grief, magic, love and happiness can still be found.