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Peggy was sitting on the patio at Howard’s L.A. estate, pouring over a case file, when suddenly there was a loud crash and a distinctive squawking and rustle of feathers that could only mean one thing. With a sigh, Peggy levered herself up from the table and wandered around to the side yard, where Bernard the flamingo was usually cooped up in his pen. And yet, it seemed that no matter how many times the groundskeeper reinforced the fences or changed the type of gate, that that ridiculous bird would find a way to get out.
“Mr. Jarvis, did you manage to let Bernard escape again?” she questioned, approaching the rather dejected looking butler staring at the overturned food bucket and wide open gate.
“I beg your pardon, Miss Carter, but I did no such thing! It’s the new ‘animal keeper’ Mr. Stark hired for his menagerie. I told the young man that this flamingo was no good, but he clearly didn’t listen. And now look what’s happened!”
Peggy chucked a little to herself, but placed a comforting hand on Jarvis’s elbow.
“Not to worry, Mr. Jarvis, I’m sure we can find him. Shall we check his usual spots?”
And as expected, they found Bernard investigating the duck pond on the outskirts of the property. And as usual, catching the silly bird involved an extended chase. Peggy truly regretted attempting this adventure in pumps.
“You go left, I’ll go right, Miss Carter!”
“No, come back here, you silly creature!”
“Try to corner him by the garage!”
“Why doesn’t Howard ever help catch his own miserable flamingo.”
“Oh there, Miss Carter, you’ve got him! Now just - oh!”
Peggy had nearly cornered the flamingo and was closing in when suddenly the ground beneath her feet changed from the driveway to grass, and she felt something twist in her ankle as she went down hard, arms flailing in an attempt to catch herself.
Miraculously, her flailing about also meant that she tripped the flamingo, and Jarvis swooped in and scooped up the bird.
“Are you quite all right, Miss Carter?”
Peggy sat up slowly and gingerly poked at her ankle, which was already beginning to swell slightly.
“I’m afraid I’ve sprained my ankle slightly, Mr. Jarvis. I suppose that’s what I get for engaging in chasing a wild animal in heels.”
“Oh dear. Let me return Bernard to his pen, and then I will help you into the house, Miss Carter.”
Fifteen minutes later, Peggy was settled in a kitchen chair with her ankle elevated, an ice pack gently resting on top while Mr. Jarvis went to go fetch the first aid kit.
“I think you’re correct, Miss Carter, it just looks like a mild sprain. A few days of rest and you’ll be right as rain,” he said, gently wrapping her foot in elastic bandage.
“Thank you, Mr. Jarvis. I truly appreciate you taking so much care.”
“It’s no trouble, Miss Carter. I, for one, am simply happy that you’ve learned that you can rely on people other than yourself,” he smiled knowingly.
“Why yes, I suppose I have. In fact, I’m not quite sure what I’d do without all of you in my life, even Howard and his ridiculous flamingo. Though I don’t think Chief Sousa will be terribly pleased about that bird putting me out of commission for a few days. We have a mission planned for later this week.”
Just then, an unexpected voice appeared from the doorway - “Maybe we’ll just have to postpone it a few days to give you time to rest. I, for one, could sure use a relaxing day at the beach.”
“Daniel!” Peggy grinned, craning her neck to see him from her seat. He crutched over and placed a gentle kiss on the top of her head.
“Hi, darling. Looks like you’ve had quite the day. How about you tell me about it over dinner and a drink?”
“That sounds lovely. Thank you again, Mr. Jarvis. How about you and Ana join us for dinner on the patio?”
“A wonderful plan, Miss Carter.”
And for once, all seemed calm in the flamingo pen.