To Love a SCARECROW

A hopeless romantic, Chloe believed every story should have a happy ever after

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Sorry, love, just making space for Prince Albert!’ The deep voice bellowed over the hedge, causing Chloe to jump. Then a familiar, grey-bearded face appeared.

‘Oh, hello Mr Parsons — so I’m guessing you have chosen to do the royal couple. I didn’t take you for the romantic type.’

‘I'm not! To be honest, Chloe, it wouldn’t have been my choice for the scarecrow festival.

It was Mary's idea, she’s inside working on Queen Victoria's dress as we speak — she has bits of material everywhere.’

Chloe laughed. ‘Well, I think they will both look splendid.’

It was a great honour for Chloe to be chosen as the organiser of her village’s yearly charity event.

‘I presume you're doing a modern couple,’ Mr Parsons grinned, raising his bushy eyebrows.

Chloe smiled. ‘Not modern exactly, but with a modern twist - it will be a surprise.’ She wasn’t going to give anything away and, if she was honest, she wasn't exactly sure if her idea even fitted the theme she had chosen — ‘iconic romantic couples throughout history’.

‘Well, it will definitely be a challenge to produce not one but two scarecrows,’ Mr Parsons sighed. ‘I don’t know, young people today and your big ideas!’

****

On Saturday morning, Chloe arrived early at the venue for the scarecrow festival to put the finishing touches to her creations.

‘Hello there!’ a voice called.

Chloe spun around. A young, attractive, dark-haired man stood before her. ‘Can I help you?’ she asked.

‘I'm here for the festival,’ he replied.

‘It’s not open to the public for another hour yet.’

‘Then it’s good that I am not a member of the public — I'm from the paper. Stephen Wright at your service - reporter, writer and photographer.’ He smiled and proudly held up his ID badge.

‘Chloe Henderson - school librarian.’