Valentine´s Day

Dear Readers,
The third theme for the 2019 Creative Challenge posted on the Sylvanian Families Collectors Community Forum is related to Valentines´s Day so that´s what today´s story is about.

"Valentine´s Day is almost here".Betty Hazelwood said to herself when she stopped and stared at the window of the new cake shop. 
Contrary to what you might think Betty wasn´t looking forward to this holiday.

She has a wonderful husband and she is very much in love with him but if the person you love is a chef and is working that day, Valentine´s Day means a night alone.
She was used to spending most evenings on her own but the idea of spending one more Valentine´s Day without the company of her husband didn´t make her happy at all.

On her way to do some grocery shopping she  passed by Salome´s dress shop. She didn´t have any intention of buying anything but she couldn´t help but stare through the window that, once again, reminded her that Valentine´s Day was only a few days away.

Betty was gazing at the red dress through the window when Savannah Trunk left the shop and greeted her with a cheerful smile."Hi Betty! Nice dress, isn´t it? Are you going to buy an outfit for Valentine´s Day?" Savvanah asked.
"Are you kidding me?" Betty sounded a bit offended. "Maybe if my husband didn´t have to work at "your" restaurant on Valentine´s Day I would buy a dress to go out with him but there´s no point in buying a new outfit to spend the evening knitting and doing
word search in my living room, don´t you think so Savannah?" She said ironically.
Savvanah realized her question wasn´t appropriate and she sincerely apologized but she noticed Betty was still feeling a bit bitter.

Hugo Trunk and his wife Savvanah are the owners of the Harvester Restaurant where Basil Hazelwood works as a chef.

Savvanah couldn´t stop thinking about her conversation with Betty and told her husband about it.
"Hugo,why don´t we give Basil the day off on Valentine´s Day?" 
"A day off? On Valentine´s Day?" Hugo asked in surprised. 
"Hugo! Betty hasn´t had a night out on Valentine´s Day since she married Basil.I think she deserves a special treat. Suzzete is an excellent cook and I can help in the kitchen too.Sebastian and you can serve the tables."

Finally, after much persuasion Hugo allowed Basil the day off. When Suzette and Sebastian arrived at the restaurant, Savvanah and Hugo told them about their decision and they totally approved.

A few days before Valentine´s Day Hugo asked Basil:
"Have you got everything ready for Valentine´s Day?"
"I have Mr. Trunk, I added some specials to the menu and I wrote the shopping list to get everything we need".Basil answered.
"I´m not talking about work.I mean about you and your wife. Have you got any plans with Betty?
"Well, I bought her a box of chocolates but we never make any plans.I have to work,Mr. Trunk. I promised Betty I will take her out on Monday, on my next day off".
"What would you say if I told you your next  day off is Valentine´s Day, Basil?" Hugo asked.

Basil´s reaction to Hugo´s question was a loud thank you and a big hug.
"You´re so considerate and kind, Mr.Trunk. I can´t wait to tell Betty."

"You should thank Savannah. She was the one who suggested giving you the day off"
"Thank you so much, Mrs Trunk.You´re so thoughtful! Betty is going to be over the moon when she finds out". 
"You´re welcome, Basil. You and Betty deserve it!" Savvanah was very pleased to see him so excited.

Valentine´s Day has arrived and Betty is all set to spend the evening in her quiet living room. She made herself some tea, she placed some of the chocolates Basil gave her in a bowl, she bought some magazines to read,she had her knitting basket next to her favourite armchair,a word search puzzle book and a radio to listen to some romantic music and love stories on her favourite radio station.Her daughter Evie was also at home so they will have a chat and some tea together.
"It wasn´t a bad plan after all", she thought to herself.

She was concentrated on her word search puzzle
when suddenly Basil came into the living room with a wide smile on his face.
Betty was very surprised to see her husband wearing his Sunday clothes.
"Why are you dressed up like this to go to the restaurant,Basil?" 
"Because you and I are going out for dinner"
"What are you talking about, Basil?" Betty
looked at her husband with amazement.
"I have a day off, Betty!.I don´t have to work this evening so we can enjoy a night out!Come on, take that apron off and wear something nice."
"But, we can leave Evie on her own!"
Everything is under control, Betty. Evie is going to have a sleepover at a friend´s house so it´s just you and I tonight."

Betty couldn´t believe what she was hearing it but she was elated. Her first night out on Valentine´s Day in fifteen years!
She ran up the stairs to her bedroom to change her clothes.

She just wished she had a new dress to wear for this special occasion but she didn´t really mind wearing one of her old dresses.

But when she opened the wardrobe she couldn´t believe her eyes.
There was the red dress she stared through the dress shop window and a pair of matching shoes and bag!
She felt like Cindirella after getting the astounding help of her Fairy Godmother.
Betty felt so lucky to have such a wonderful husband!

She dressed up and went down the stairs. At the bottom of the stairs was her "prince charming" waiting for her.
Basil complimented Betty on her looks and she thanked him for such a special gift.
Betty was on cloud nine. Actually, both of them couldn´t be happier!

Evie was also very happy for her parents and she was  very pleased to go to a sleepover at her friend Esme Chantilly´s house. 
"Enjoy your date night!" Betty wished her parents.

They were the first customers to arrive at the restaurant. 
"Good evening. We have a reservation for a table for two in the name of Hazelwood". Basil  said joking.It was funny to be at the restaurant as a guest instead of as a chef.

Hugo,Savvanah, Suzette and Sebastian were glad to see them."You´ll be our special guests tonight" Savvanah said. 
"Thank you Savvanah and sorry for being so unfriendly to you last time we met". Betty apologized.
"Not at all, Betty. You were dead right. Forget about it and enjoy your night out" Savvanah said.

Hugo took them to a quiet corner table that Savvanah and Suzzete had set especially for them.
"Aww,how sweet!" Betty exclaimed when she read the word LOVE on the tablecloth.

Hugo brought them the menu.Basil knew it by heart but Betty was enjoying reading it from top to bottom.She found it hard to choose what to order.There were so many tasty dishes. She felt really proud of her husband for being such a good chef.

Both, Basil and Betty were enjoying a nice meal, the quiet atmosphere of the restaurant and the lovely background music.

Some other couples had also booked a table to dine out.
Cameron Moss and his wife Rowina are regular customers at the Harvester Restaurant and they couldn´t think of a better place to enjoy a delicious meal on Valentine´s Day.

Eustace and Victoria Truffle got a baby sitter to mind their twins. They deserve some quality time for themselves on this special day.

Rhys Chocolate hasn´t forgotten about Valentine´s Day this year. He wanted to treat his wife Patricia and made a reservation long time ago.

Basil and Betty ordered one of the special desserts for Valentine´s Day. A creamy strawberry cheesecake with chocolate and raspberry sauce.

After a lovely dinner, Basil and Betty left the restaurant holding hands. Both were blissfully happy (and a bit merry after a couple of glasses of wine.)

It was getting dark and they kissed in the moonlight.

"Excuse me Cutata, what are you looking at?" Basil asked when he saw me lifting my camera to my eye to get one more shot of them kissing."Can we have some privacy, please?"Betty added smiling.
Oops! Sorry! I won´t take any more pictures. I understand you want to have some intimacy on your romantic night out so I´ll let you enjoy the rest of your Valentine´s Day.

They are such a loving couple, don´t you think so?

HAPPY VALENTINE´S DAY

Illustration by Susan Wheeler