The Connection

The Connection

Jeff and Hazel Henderson were twins, the connection. Between them was extremely close. They even shared telepathic incidences, many times one would be thinking about something, and the other would come out and say it,.It was their 25th birthday today. They were left the family home after their parents had died in a car crash, and they decided to keep the house on and stay there. It was a beautiful house with five bedrooms, living room and dining room, and two bathrooms, Two of the bedrooms also had on suite , a conservatory , office and a well laid out garden. They were comfortable financially, left to them in their parents will. Also their grandparents had left them both twenty thousand dollars each, in endowments. Jeff was an excellent chef, and Hazel had a gift for hospitality, they decided that with their skills and talents to turn the house into a bed and breakfast. They lived in a small village just fifty miles from Glasgow, In Scotland, and near Edinburgh the capital city. Always a very busy place with tourists. It was a glorious Saturday morning, the sun was shining through the window, Hazel got out of bed, beyond the garden there was a field, and she looked out enjoying the scenery. She was excited to give Jeff his birthday present. She hoped He would love it. She was picking it up today, and truth be told, she would love the present also.Hazel had her shower dressed and went downstairs, she could hear Jeff in the kitchen , the rest of the house was quiet, they had no guests arriving until Monday. They both intended to make the most of the couple of days off.

“ Morning Jeff. Happy birthday little brother “

“ Hey less of the little, we are the same age, he said laughing, and Happy birthday to you too.”

“ Yes but I am eleven minutes older than you she laughed.”

“ you and your eleven minutes, he teased.Come now , come and have your birthday breakfast I made for you, while it is hot.”

“ looks fabulous thank you. Did you sleep well ?”

“ yes thankfully,”

“ what time did you get up? She asked”

“ not too bad, 7am “

Page two

Sitting beside her breakfast plate was an envelope, and a little box.

“ I hope you like your birthday present”

“ I am sure it will be lovely. I know you only have your card just now, that is because I am picking your gift up today. I have to get it at ten, can you wait until then?”

“ Sounds very mysterious.”

“ it is, but I am trying not to think about it, in case you read my mind she smiled, he smiled back. “

“ Go on now, open your presents. “

“ Presents, plural.”

“ Yes there is something in the card as well.”

Hazel put down her orange juice, and picked up the envelope first, and Squealed thank you she said oh I love it. It was a voucher for a cake making class something she always wanted to do. It wasn’t just making cakes it was working with chocolate. She then opened up let the little box that was lying beside her plate, inside was the most beautiful gold locket and chain. When she opened up the locket there was a wonderful photograph of their parents, she had tears in her eyes, thank you Jeff it’s really lovely.

They were having some friends over in the evening to celebrate their birthday, and spent the time discussing the plans for the party. It was agreed who would do what, Hazel was on shopping duty, for last minute things ,as they wanted them fresh.one of her favourite dishes, that Jeff made was pineapples scooped out, filled with salad, and prawns with prawn sauce. That was going to be the starter, The main course was silverside with garlic and Rosemary baby potatoes, with broccoli, and puff pastry. And for dessert, Chocolate mouse, Pavlova, and birthday cake, they had a selection, it was a small party of eight.

They cleared away the breakfast things, Hazel went to get her coat, and left Jeff to get on with the preparations. Thankfully the house was all cleaned and ready,She always kept it immaculate. She was excited, couldn’t wait to get Jeff his present. She put on her coat, collected her car keys from the hall table, and went out to her car.

Page three

Hazel smiled she was thinking about her gift for Jeff, just the thought of it made her smile, she hoped it would have the same reaction for him, he may still not be over the loss of Harvey, his beloved boxer. Hazel finished her shopping ,then made her way to pick up Jeffs ‘ surprise. It was A beautiful nine week boxer, she decided to leave a name ,and Let Jeff name his new companion himself.

“Hi Natalie, is he ready?.”

“ Hello Hazel, yes he is all set.he is a cute little fellow, he has such an intelligent little face. hope Jeff will be delighted. And that this little one fills the gap.Harvey left. “

“ Thanks Natalie I do too.

Hazel wrapped the pup in a blanket and put him on the back seat of the car, he was very sleepy, and made her way home. Jeff was in the kitchen seeing to the food for the evening, She asked him if he could help her carry the shopping in from the car, as some of it was heavy, and she did not have enough. hands.

“ Oh if you could pick up what’s on the back seat I would appreciate it.”

“ Sure sis No problem.”

Jeff made his way out to the car whistling to himself, he opened the back door, then all of a sudden he saw this little head peep out of a blanket, he stopped whistling, and gasped, at that moment Hazel joined him.”

“ Happy birthday wee brother, hope you like your birthday present”

“ I am speechless, I don’t know what to say. What’s his name?”

“He is your dog, you have to give him a name.”

Jeff picked the pup up into his arms, he just loved him, he kissed the little pup

With such happiness, Thank you sis, what an amazing gift, you know I don’t know why, but when I look at him, I just think of Reilly. What do you think?

“ yes I think that suits him. Reilly it is.”

Page four

“ I did not think I could ever want another dog after Harvey, but just seeing this little fellow here, I feel a big ache has just been comforted. Do you know when he was last fed, when he is due,?”

“ Actually he has not been long fed. I think he just needs to sleep now, maybe put some water at His bed. I wasn’t sure how you would feel about using Harvey’s things, so I bought him, his own bed, and bowl. I will go get them “

When Hazel came back into the room, Jeff had Reilly on his shoulders and a huge grin on his face. Her heart was bursting with thankfulness, she hadn’t like to see him so sad and down, after losing his beloved Harvey, she just hoped Reilly would heal that hurt, and it looked as if he was doing just that. There had been too much loss in both their lives,.

“ Alison and her partner are coming tonight, I was thinking about phoning her, asking her to bring that wine you like, from that wine merchant in Edinburgh, but cannot remember the name of the place, do you ?”

“ No but it is in the little black book on the desk in the office, under wine merchant

You will get it in there, “

“ Great I hadn’t thought of that, I will go phone her now “.

Everything was ready, Jeff and Hazel went upstairs to put their party clothes on, and get ready to receive their guests. Fortunately they all arrived on time. Alison brought the wine as a birthday gift for Hazel. They made their guests welcome, sat talking in the sitting room, for about twenty minutes, then made their way through to the dining room for the celebration dinner. They were all enjoying the meal, talking away, but someone else wanted to join in, he made an attempt at a Yelp, but he was still too small to make himself heard ,he came running through to see his new dad, and completely stole the show. He was so adorable, everyone wanted to hold him. The evening was a great success.when everyone had gone. Jeff and Hazel tidied away, agreed that the day had been very enjoyable and a lovely birthday. Jeff was so happy that he felt an instant connection to Reilly.

The End.