The Moonlight Boy | Ferry's Tale # 1

The Fires of the Hills (part two)

Ferry's incident didn't seem to spoil people's good mood. They were laughing, telling jokes, and having a great time together.

Mr. Finch and his family, Mr. and Mrs. Nosey, as well as Matilda and her father, were all guests at the Donovans' tent. And they were all praising Mrs. Donovan's cooking skills which seemed to always bring a big smile to her face.

Ferry would have liked to invite Ben as well. But for some reason, the Knights hadn't joined the others. They had their tent elsewhere, secluded from the rest. And no one visited. Nevertheless, they seemed to have the best time. Mrs. Knight was taking out of the basket all the good stuff: tarts in all shapes and colors, Turkish delight, apples coated in sugar, sugar candies covering the table like a joyful parade. The Knight parents were spoiling themselves with grape juice. And even an apple cider for Mr. Knight came out of Mrs. Knight's bottomless basket. In fact, colorful was the best word to describe the Knights — from colorful food to the most curious, jolly sweaters and trousers, all crocheted by Mrs. Knight in the brightest colors.

Mrs. Donovan eventually surrendered to Ferry's plea and allowed him to visit Ben and his family's tent. The boy was warmly welcomed by the whole family. The Knight girls greeted him with shouts of joy, as usual, while their mother lured him with the creamiest cakes he had ever seen. After indulging himself with all the delicious dainties on the table, Ferry thought it would be a proper time to ask Ben why he and his family were staying aside. Besides the contagious joy and noise that was always accompanying them, he couldn't see any other reason. But just when he was about to ask Ben, he saw him making silly gestures, trying to point at someone. Ferry saw May waiting near the tent, not daring to come any closer. In one leap, he was right beside her.

"Don't worry," Ben shouted behind him, "I'll tell Mum you had to leave." But Ferry was no longer hearing him.

"I hope you didn't hurt your hand too bad," said May when the boy was near her.

"Oh, it's just a scratch," he said. "The cup must have been broken. But I'm fine now."May smiled. "You know, my parents would like to meet you. I told them how you helped me find Cecilia's kite. And they would like to thank you."

Ferry nodded, and they both went to May's tent. As expected, the tent was entirely decorated with the most beautiful flowers. Garlands at the entrance caressed the guests' heads with delicate touches of chrysanthemum, and baskets adorned the table full of appetizers and cookies. There were flowers everywhere. Dahlias, autumn camellias, and late roses as well as field flowers, carefully seared, remembering the long-gone summer. At the end of the day, the Flowers were offering flowers to everyone attending the celebration.

May's parents were just as warm and bright as their daughter. Their tall statures, white complexion, and pastel-colored attires made them look otherworldly. They smiled at Ferry, and May's father shook his gloved hand repeatedly.

"You are welcome to stay in our tent for as long as you want," May's mother invited him.

"Thank you," he answered, "but my parents have been waiting for me for quite a while now so I must leave soon."

"Can I go with Ferry, Mum?" asked May.

"You can if you promise to take care of yourself. Are you sure you're not cold? Maybe you need another sweater..."

"I'm fine, Mum," said May, looking a bit uncomfortable. "I can take care of myself, don't worry."Iris Flower kissed her daughter on her forehead, watching her walking away with that thin, dingy boy. Who surprisingly emanated such warm vibrations around him, giving her the feeling that May would always be safe around him.

The two children arrived in front of Ferry's tent. On the hill, people were making the fire. Some fires could barely be seen from the bottom of the hill. Others were climbing boldly towards the sky, spreading sparks in the night's air. The logs crackled in different voices, calling people to find warmth and comfort near the jolly fires. The boys, especially the older ones, were jumping over the fires, a custom which was supposed to bring them good luck and keep them safe from bad spirits. The less courageous ones were staying aside, hoping that next year they would be among the bravest ones to jump over the fires to the girls' applause and cheers.