Annie gazed at the clock. "Eight o'clock!" She sprang out of bed, jumped into her clothes, and almost tumbled down the stairs. "Adi!" she cried, "Why didn't you wake me? My chores!"
Her sister just looked at her and smiled. "Don't worry about your chores. Dad and Tom are doing them."
"What! Why?" A bewildered look spread over Annie's face. Then, turning she saw Lily in her chair at the table, a big smile on her face. She bent over her little sister, giving her a kiss. Then it hit her: BIRTHDAY. "Happy Birthday, my little Angel," she said, hugging her.
"Happy Birthday, little sister," Adi said, joining her two sisters. She gave Annie a hug."About your chores, Tom said that was the only birthday present he's giving you, doing your chores for the whole day. And Dad said you are not to go near the barn! He said I wasn't to, either." Adi laughed. "As if I EVER go near the barn. I haven't the time, nor the opportunity." What their dad had up his sleeve, banning them from the barn, Adi had no idea.
"My birthday! I'm 14! No longer a little girl!" If Annie remembered anything about what she had heard last night, of Dad's story, she put it out of her mind. She sighed. Today was going to be such a special day. The only thing to spoil it for her was her remembering the birthday card and $140. cheque from Granny, which she had no intention of cashing until she'd had a word with Granny about it--next week when she came.
Having Annie underfoot made it a bit awkward for Adi to carry out her plan. She would just have to think of something to keep her sister out of the way. Then it hit her: "Annie," she said, "how would you like to take Lily to her play pen and read her a story? It would really be a big help to me. I have a few things to take care of, and I need space."
During the week, with Dad's blessing, Adi had talked to each of her clients, inviting them to TEA that afternoon. She had also invited Tom and his parents to join them.
When Fiona walked in the front door with Geordie, Annie wasn't too surprised, since Fiona worked a few hours a week, helping Adi. As usual, a squeal of delight exploded from Lily when she saw her friend. Annie helped Geordie off with his coat, allowing Fiona to go straight to the kitchen. With the children nestled beside each other in Lily's playpen, Annie began reading Lily's favourite story: Jesus using a little boy's lunch to feed a whole hillside of people who had been listening to Jesus talk about God.
Annie looked up, a surprised look on her face, when she saw Helen and Jane come in the front door. She welcomed them happily, taking their coats and helping them settle Gertie and Clara into their respective play pens. "Adi," she called. "Look who just dropped in."
Jane and Helen exchanged amused looks. "Happy Birthday, Annie and Lily," they said in unison. "I think Adi is expecting us."
Suddenly, as if there had been an earthquake, the back door opened and Ed, with Tom and his parents burst into the kitchen. It was then that it dawned on Annie why Adi had wanted her out of the kitchen.
The afternoon tea that Adi and Fiona had set out made the children's eyes dance with delight. The rafters fairly burst with noise and excitement as the afternoon wore on. It was a perfect Birthday Surprise.
ADELAIDE SERIES:
Story 1 - An Abrupt Landing
Story 2 - Out of the Shadows
Story 3 - Heavenly Sunshine
Story 4 - Reflections
Story 5 - Mists From The Past -I
Story 6 - Mists From The Past -II
Story 7 - The Birthday Surprise
Story 8 - Dad's Big Surprise
Story 9 - Further Surprises
Story 10 -
Into The Light
Watch for further stories in the ADELAIDE SERIES at a later date. hmd