More Scarlett than Rhett.

The fitters finally came to instal the new Norwegian wood fire in the kitchen. A few days late , but hey, what's a couple of days amongst friends ? Wilf was consigned to the downstairs hallway while the incredibly messy job of sweeping the chimney and removing decades of accreted soot and grease got underway. It goes without saying that the messier the task in hand the more interested Wilf became in what was going on. White inquistive dog, black soot - there's a marriage made in heaven.

Two vans, two sets of tyres for him to christen. From Wilfs perspective so far, so good. However, this group of workmen fell far short on the all important ' what treats have you got today? ' question. It took five minutes of focused sniffing but Wilf had soon decided that there were no Jaffa Cakes , sausages or other delicacies to be had from this boiler suited crew.

Clearly disappointed with the quality of the hired help, Wilf sat in the garden with his toy squirrel watching events from a distance. From time to time a squeak would remind us that he was there and in charge. Some of the young workmen offered to play with him but each time they approached Wilf stood up, toy in mouth, head held high and moved cautiously away. In the process he gave them his best Gone with the Wind, Rhett Butler look - " Sir, in the absence of Jaffa Cakes I do not lightly bestow my friendship on strangers " . I didn't have the nerve to tell him that the squirrel clenched between his teeth ruined this stern, formal image. The overall impression was rather more Scarlett than Rhett.