Summer 1999

Dear Diary . . .

Well, I just love being Official Supreme Webmaster - it's so nice to be so busy, and to feel so useful. For once, I didn't feel jealous when Harry Hamster stopped by to tell me all about his exciting outings.

The problem with Harry, is, being a bit of a night owl, he always stops by to visit at night-time, when I'm usually fast asleep. But then again, given how busy I've been with the website, I don't suppose I'd have much time to talk to him during the day.

"Wakey wakey sleepyhead!" he yelled through my door. "Aren't you coming out to play?"

"Play?" I answered, "Harry, I've only just climbed into bed. I've been working hard all day and I'm exhausted!"

"Nonsense" he cried back. "It's still early and I've lots to tell you. Come on Marty, get up and let me in!"

I knew I'd get no peace until I did as he asked, so somewhat reluctantly, I climbed out of my nice warm bed, and unbolted the door. Harry was standing on the step pulling silly faces. "Guess what?"

"What?"

"No, you're meant to guess, silly!"

"Come on Harry, it's late, and you know I'm not at my best when I'm sleepy. At least give me a clue. What am I guessing?"

"You're guessing how long the queue was!"

"The queue? What queue?"

"The queue to see the hamsters in the Supreme Small Furry Friends marquee?"

"What Supreme Small Furry Friends marquee?"

"The one at the Pets Pets Show, of course! You know - those shows we told you about last year - where thousands of people come along to meet all the animals and see all the displays and demonstrations and to learn lots about all the small furry pets."

"Oh, I see. And there were hamsters there?"

"Marty - wake up! Where have you been for the last few weeks - you must have heard all about it - it was brilliant!"

"Well, I do remember putting up a poster about Supremes Small Furry Friends on the website, but to tell you the truth Harry, I've been so busy these last few weeks, that I'd not really had any time to do anything else. I can't remember the last time I sat down in front of the television without falling asleep, and I haven't had the chance to sit down with a nice cup of tea and the paper since Russel Rabbit first bounded up to my door talking about the website. And that was several weeks ago . . ."

"Oh dear, Marty" said Harry. "You do look rather tired. And I suppose you have been working extremely hard lately. We do appreciate it you know. I mean, we've couldn't have done the website without you. What you need is a good night's sleep. I'm not helping much really, am I? Turning up at all hours when you'd just got to bed. I'm sorry. I'll leave you in peace to get some rest."

Now I felt bad. Harry was so excited about this show, and it wasn't that I wasn't interested, I was just very tired.

"No, Harry, don't go. I mean, I'd like you to stay. I want to hear all about the show. And I'm awake now, so you might as well tell me. Come on, sit down and I'll put the kettle on."

And so Harry started to talk, in tones of hushed excitement, he told me about all the people and their pets who came to the show and about the television cameras, and the famous people, and best of all, about all the children who queued for an awfully long time to visit the Small Furry Friends marquee that Harry, Russel, Gerty and Gerri had organised.

"Why did they have to queue so long?" I asked.

"Well, because the Small Furry Friends marquee was so popular! We really could have done with a much bigger tent, to fit in more people, and perhaps a few more animals, but because the tent was fairly small, we had to limit how many people came in at one time." Harry explained. "Otherwise, it would have got too hot and crowded and that would have upset all our furry friends."

"And didn't the people mind waiting?"

"Well, no. At least not too much," said Harry. "After all, it was nice and hot and sunny, and we put lots of posters and leaflets on the outside of the tent, so they had something to read, and we gave out badges as well, while they were queuing."

Harry continued chattering, but I felt my eyelids getting heavier and heavier . . .

When I woke up, I was still sitting in my armchair, but Harry had gone. The sun was peeking through the curtains, and I realised to my horror, that it was morning! I had been asleep in the chair all night!

There was a scribbled note on the table. I picked it up and read it. "Dear Marty. Oops! Sorry for keeping you up so late! I'll let myself out. I didn't know whether or not to wake you and tell you to go back to bed, but you looked very comfy, so I left you in the armchair! See you later. Love Harry

P.S. Have a lie-in tomorrow, and I'll keep an eye on the website for you - it's the least I can do!"

Well, I have to admit, I took Harry at his word, and climbed straight into my bed. Within minutes, I was fast asleep. I didn't wake up again until the afternoon. I was now feeling very lazy, and decided to go for a walk to get some fresh air.

I was barely out of my front door, when I saw Gerty Guinea Pig coming along the path. "Ah Marty - there you are! We've all been very worried about you. Harry told us how tired you are. You've been overdoing it."

"Hello Gerty. No, I'm fine now thanks. I just needed a little more sleep. Harry and I were talking very late last night."

"Yes, yes, I know. He told us all about it. But he's right. You do need a rest. So, I've been talking with Russel and Gerri, and we've got a surprise for you - a special treat. Here."

Gerty handed me an envelope with my name on the front.

"What's this, Gerty?"

Gerty grinned. "Open it and see!"

I tore open the envelope and inside was an invitation.

Dear Marty.

In recognition of all your hard work and sterling services as Official Supreme Webmaster, you are cordially invited to join us - next weekend - as our Special V.I.A. (Very Important Animal) Guest at the Pets Pets Pets Show.

Yours affectionately

Your friends at Supreme

R.S.V.P

"You will come, won't you Marty?" said Gerty, eagerly.

"To the Pets Pets Pets Show? You bet! Oh thank you, I can't wait" I spurted out. "Oh, and Gerty, what does R.S.V.P. mean?"

"Oh, don't worry about that," she said "It's French for please reply, but you've just done that. I'm so pleased you can come Marty. We want to make sure you have a really special day . . ."

I was so excited, I ran straight home to pack. It was quite rude of me really, as I left Gerty Guinea Pig there, chattering away to herself. Still, I'm sure she'll understand. After all, the Pets Pets Pets Show is only a few days away, and I've a lot to get organised . . .

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