Agatha Buckley had got up early and had prepared a delicious (if not huge) picnic lunch for them to enjoy.
Soon everybody was ready to leave.
'Don't forget your cardigan, Maria, it'll be chilly on the bus!' Reminded Mother as she put the babies in the pram. As their was only one motorcar in the whole village (and that belonged to the richest family in town up at the Mansion), the Buckleys would be catching the bus to their favourite picnic spot by the lake just over Chesnut Hill.
'Come along now children, hurry up and get your shoes on, the bus will be at the stop soon!' Mrs Buckley panicked.
All carrying armfuls of picnic blankets and food, they ran to their nearest bus stop, where the bus had just arrived.
'Why hello Mrs Buckley, going on a picnic, I see?' Mr Renard the fox smiled. 'Here, Mr Buckley, let me help you get the pram onto the bus,'.
There wasn't much room on the bus, because it was 'rush hour' in Little Chestnut, but the Buckley children soon found their favourite seats at the top of the bus and sat down with their mother.
'That engine doesn't sound too healthy, Mr Renard,' Mr Buckley said, frowning.
'I know, it's been like this the last couple of days,' Mr Renard sighed. 'The bus isn't used to this much work - it's so busy because it's the school holidays!'
The bus was indeed very busy, all the seats were taken, Mr Buckley had to sit next to the driver!
After around twenty minutes, they reached the bus stop at Chestnut Hill. Unfortunately, no-one got off the bus at Chestnut Hill, meaning the bus had to drive up the steep hill completely full!
Somehow, and Mr Renard did not know how, they reached the top and began the drive down the long road down the other side of the hill. Because they were going downhill, the bus continued to go forward for a while, before stopping at halt with a BANG!
Everybody on the bus stopped busily chatting and looked down to Mr Renard for an explanation.
'I'm sorry everyone, the bus has broken down!' Exclaimed Mr Renard, in desperation. 'I'll have to walk back to the village to get some help!'
'Don't be silly, that would take you almost a day-' Mr Buckley exclaimed.
'We haven't really got much of a choice-' Everyone on the bus began bickering.
'Everyone, your attention please!' Shouted Dr Murdoch. 'It's alright, I've brought my bicycle!' He continued on, explaining. 'I can cycle down to the village, and get Mr Moss to come in his motor car to help us,'
'That's an excellent idea, Dr Murdoch!' Mr Renard nodded.
'I'll be back in around an hour and a half then,' Dr Murdoch said.
'What are we all supposed to do in the meantime?' Exclaimed an elderly passenger (Laurette Macavity) at the front of the bus behind the driver's seat.
'That is a very good point,' Said her friend, Mabel Periwinkle the rabbit, looking at Mr Renard over her glasses.
'Oh I know!' Mr Buckley turned to Mr Renard. 'Do you have the picnic bench with you?'
'Of course - it's just at the back of the bus,' Mr Renard said, inquisitively.
'My wife has a huge picnic with her, they'll be enough food for all of us,' Mr Buckley smiled.
'What a grand idea!' Said Mabel Periwinkle.
'I do fancy a picnic, don't you Mabel?' Laurette Macavity wondered.
'Everyone! Dr Murdoch is going to cycle back to the village and get Mr Moss to come and help in his motor car,' Explained Mr Renard. 'In the meantime, the Buckley family have offered to share their huge picnic with us all!' The bus was full of excited chatter.
Dr Murdoch pedalled off whilst Mr Renard and Mr Buckley got the picnic benches. Mrs Buckley had also bought a large amount of picnic blankets, so there was lots of room for everyone.
Mrs Buckley began to unpack the picnic.
'You've got enough to feed a small army, Mrs Buckley!' Mr Renard and the Buckleys laughed.
All the passengers had a delicious lunch of sandwiches, fresh fruit, biscuits, cake and various other delicious treats.
Soon they saw the green motor car in the distance. It was Mr Moss and Dr Murdoch, here to save the
day :)
'You shouldn't of let the bus run today, Mr Renard,' Mr Moss said, disapprovingly. 'I've managed to patch it up for now, but that bus needs some serious repairs. Expensive repairs,'
'Yes, well, I'll go and see the Mayor when we get back,' Mr Renard said, uncomfortably.
'Well, it's certainly going to cause some chaos for all of you without a bus,' Mr Moss silkily said. 'Luckily for me, I have the latest Austin motor car,' And with that, he started his motor and drove off, very speedily.
'I've never liked that man,' Said Mr Renard, stiffly.
'I know he's not particularly modest, but he got us all out of some big trouble today,' Mr Buckley explained, and Mr Renard nodded in agreement. 'Besides, did you know he is my second cousin?'
'Can everyone please take your seats on the bus, which will be departing shortly,' Announced Mr Renard. 'We will be stopping at The Old Mill, Willow Hall, The High Street, and St. Francis School,'
I hope you enjoyed the story, if you did, a comment would be lovely :) Sorry to make Mr Moss seem so unpleasant, the Moss Reindeers are actually one of my favourite families ;)
I will be uploading a lot of stories over the next few weeks whilst the village is assembled: they don't have to be read in any particular order (there are no chapters, just Sylvanian Village: Name of Story), so keep watching for an update!
