The first day of summer for six-year-old Oliver began with agonising anticipation. Grandad George had decided to take him to the apiary for the whole seasona place hed heard so much about from his dad! Mum had hesitated at first but eventually agreed, though only until August. Then she and Dad would come to fetch him from sleepy Hollowbrookjust in time to prepare for school. This year, hed be starting Year One!
Grandad George arrived in his battered old Land Rover, bringing woodland treats, but Ollie barely glanced at them. He buzzed around his grandfather, tugging at his shirt sleeve every other minute, urging him to hurryas if Mum might change her mind any second. Chuckling at his grandsons impatience, Grandad ruffled his hair.
“Dont fret, ladits settled! Best have some breakfast now. Well have lunch at the hives!”
Finally, they loaded the car and set off. For the first time, Ollie was without his parents watchful eyes. Not that it matteredGrandad was more of a mate than a minder. Hed never lectured or scolded, and you could chat with him about anything under the sun, discussing world affairs like two proper grown-ups. No patronising looks, just serious conversations between serious folkwhat was there to smile about?
Ollie dozed off shamelessly during the drive, waking only when the Land Rover jolted onto a bumpy track. Outside, birch groves whizzed past, so close he could almost touch them. And the smell! Nothing like the city. Fields stretched ahead, dotted with bluebells, buttercups, cornflowers, and daisiesa rippling sea of colour under the summer breeze. It felt like sailing on a boat with Grandad George at the helm.
“Are we nearly there?” Ollie nudged Grandads shoulder, pretending he hadnt been asleepjust lost in thought.
“Nearly. Just past that copse. Old Berts probably waiting. Sos Misty and her kitten.”
“Mistys the mum?” Ollie guessed. “Will she let me play with the kitten?”
“If you treat her with respect and her little one with kindness, aye. But if youre rough, shell box your earsstrictest mum youll ever meet. Not like yours.”
“Me? Scolded by a cat?” Ollie scoffed. No cat had ever dared swat him!
“Not just any cat. Youve never met one like her. Just dont stare her down,” Grandad warned. “Shes gentle, but shes still wildand protective.”
At last, they arrived. Two log cabins stood aheadone large, one small. From the smaller one, at the sound of the Land Rover, emerged… a lynx!
Ollie froze, but seeing her rub against Grandads legs, he dared to step closer.
“Blimey, thats a cat!” he breathed. Misty sniffed him, thencatching his admirationwinked and nuzzled his legs. When Ollie crouched, she booped his nose with hers, making him giggle.
“Consider yourselves introduced,” Grandad grinned. “Now youre family.”
Ollie gawped at striped bumblebees darting aboutnothing like city bees. One landed on his cheek. Then disaster struck. Ignoring Grandads shout, he swatted it. Pain explodedworse than any jab! Hissing through his teeth, Ollie swayed. Grandad yanked out the stinger and clapped his shoulder.
“Proper little tough nut, arent you? Didnt even whimper! Thats a honeybee for youonly stings if its life or death.”
A bearded man with twinkly eyes shook Ollies hand. “Im Grandad Bert. You must be Ollie?”
“Aye,” Ollie nodded. “Im staying with you now.”
“Welcome aboard!” Bert spread his arms.
“Grandad Berttheres a bee on your forehead,” Ollie warned.
Bert plucked it gently, whispered something, and let it fly. The bee circled once, then vanished. Magic!
Over the next week, Ollie explored, learned to handle bees, andbest of allbefriended Mistys kitten, Simba. They raced, played tag, and hid in the woods (though Simba always won).
With the men, Ollie felt grown-up. When stung, no one fussedjust a shrug and “Happens to the best of us.” He rose early, washed in icy water, fished for perch, and even scaled them with his own knife (a gift from Bert”for the woods”).
One day, Bert carried in a spotted fawn with a broken leg. While the men splinted it, Ollie soothed the fawn, naming it Bambi. A pen was built, and though Misty and Simba eyed it, a word from Bert sent them off. A month later, Bambi limped no morethen vanished one day, answering its mothers call. Ollies heart ached.
Grandad George took him foragingwild strawberries, cherries, mushrooms (sorted carefully). Once, Ollie saw George chatting with a huge “dog.” It offered a paw, let him examine it, then vanished.
“Your dog?” Ollie asked.
“Wolf,” George corrected. “Freed him from a trap once. Now he shadows us in the woods. Guardianship, that is.”
“Why not keep him?”
“Wild things belong wild. Friendships finestealing freedom isnt.” Ollie frowned. Hed hoped to take Simba home…
Then one morning, Simba and Misty were gone. Bert set down his tools.
“Lost Simba? Thats how it goes. Mistys teaching himshelter, hunting, survival. Come winter, theyll leave for good. Hell thrive.”
Visits grew scarce. Though they still accepted affection, theyd nap in the cabin, then vanish for days.
In early August, Mum and Dad arrived. Mum gapedher “baby” was taller, tanner, steadier. Now he mimicked the men, fussing over her like a little gentleman.
Dad, it turned out, knew Misty. She purred madly, nuzzling him, then pressed her ear to Mums belly and purred knowingly.
“Misty guessed,” Mum blushed.
“Misty doesnt guess,” Dad laughed. “Misty knows.”
On departure day, Ollie called for Simba in vain. Heart heavy, he shook the grandads hands, climbed into the car, and stared ahead. Only as they passed the last copse did he glance backand spotted two yellow shapes racing the car.
“Dad, stop!”
Out leaped Simba and Misty. Ollie dropped to his knees as Simba butted his face, purring. Misty licked his hand.
“You didnt forget me!” Ollie whispered, tears flowing freely.
The farewell stretched. Even Mum cried; Dad pretended dust bothered his eyes. Finally, Misty yowled, and Simba regretfully pulled away. At the treeline, they glanced back, winked their golden eyes, and disappeared.
As the car rolled on, Mum dabbed her cheeks. Dad cleared his throat. Then Ollie said firmly:
“Dad, Im coming back next summer.”
“Course, son. Youve more to learn from those two yet.”
