Tales of Happy Valley
Chapter 17: Giles Arrives in Happy Valley
His tour of Scotland only took a few days, and after that he ventured on to spots in Germany and on down under to New Zealand. After visiting relatives in Sydney and Brisbane, it was time for Giles to venture on to the USA.
The hills of West Virginia and Pennsylvania reminded him of his home and he found the farmland of Illinois to be as charming as the relatives he met on his journeys. All the while, he kept a close eye on the calendar, intending to arrive in Happy Valley about a week after his new cousin was born.
Giles wanted to give his relatives a week to get settled in with the new baby before imposing on their hospitality. His timing was perfect, but he had not learned that the baby came so late. So, as it turned out, at the moment baby Barry was busily being born at Manse Orleans, Giles was waiting at a bus stop in Happy Valley for his final ride to Manse Orleans.
Giles at the Bus Stop in Happy Valley
While waiting for the bus, Giles had time to reflect upon his journeys. He was happy that he had saved Happy Valley for last, because of all the places he had visited and all the wonders he had seen, this place appealed to him the most. He resolved to dwell in this land, to build his life among the verdant slopes of Happy Valley.
That is assuming, of course, that he got on well with his relatives here.