Basil's Brush with Balloons

Part One

Basil could’ve sworn he heard a hissing sound coming from his friend and neighbour Miss Anna’s apartment. Anna had recently moved to the area, and Basil had greeted her when she first arrived at Anil’s Cafe.

Basil knocked on the door of Anna’s apartment. Then he heard a very distinct noise, that of a balloon being let go and the air rushing out.

Anna didn’t know what to do. No-one knew about her fascination with balloons. She looked around her. Dozens of beautiful, brightly coloured helium balloons decorated her apartment. She didn’t want anyone to see. But then, she thought, maybe she didn’t have to.

Anna carefully cracked open the front door. “Basil!” she exclaimed. “What a surprise to see you here!”

“Hello, Miss Anna,” said Basil. “Just thought I’d pop by and see how you’re settling in. May I come in?”

Anna blushed. “I’m actually a little busy…” She wasn’t lying - she was busy. Inflating balloons.

Basil looked up at Anna. With her big, blue eyes and long, brown hair, she was quite stunning.

Then Anna had a thought. Maybe Basil would understand?

“Come in,” she said, semi-reluctantly, and let the door go wide.

Basil was floored by the sight of the balloons. “Wow!” he breathed. “Are you having a party?”

Anna blushed again and shook her head.

Basil tilted his head. Anna looked a little uncomfortable, and he knew it. “I say, are you alright?”

Anna bit her lip and sat down on the couch. “Um…” she said, trying to explain herself.

“What?” asked Basil. “I’m listening.”

“I have a bit of a thing for balloons…”

Basil looked around the apartment. “You don’t say.”

“Listen, Basil, you’re not going to tell anyone, are you?”

He clearly didn’t know what to say. Anna hung her head in shame.

Basil put his paw on her hand. “Hey, it’s okay. I like balloons too.”

She knew he was just trying to make her feel better, at least, that’s what she thought.

“So, what do you do with your balloons? After you’ve blown them up?”

“I just like to have them around.” Suddenly Anna felt comfortable for the first time since Basil entered her apartment. “But sometimes I like to… play with them…”

“Well, they’re very pretty, I must say. May I have one?”

Suddenly Anna smiled, and she grabbed one of the balloons by its ribbon, a red one, and tied it around Basil’s paw.

“Lovely,” Basil said, looking up at the balloon gently floating above him. “It’s been a while since I’ve had a balloon.” He giggled.

“Don’t let it go,” said Anna.

“I can’t anyway. It’s tied to me!”

Anna giggled. “Want another one?”

Basil nodded, and Anna tied another balloon, a yellow one, to his paw.

“I say, perhaps go easy on the balloons, or I’ll float to the ceiling!”

Anna giggled again. “Would you like to?”

Basil looked up at the pretty balloons tied to his paw. “Well…” he said, “it could be fun.”

Anna quickly tied more balloons to Basil, and, sure enough, he started to float to the ceiling. Up, up, up he went, until he hit the ceiling.

Basil giggled as he dangled in the air, and Anna laughed too.

“Up, up and away with my beautiful balloons…” Basil sang. “I say, I can see why you like them so much! Now, how do I get down?”

Ah. Anna hadn’t thought that far ahead. She didn’t want to pop the balloons - she never did. It scared her, if she were honest. Anna stood on the couch and grabbed Basil and brought him down. She untied most of the balloons, leaving just one for him.

“Was that fun?” Anna asked.

“Very much,” Basil said, “but it’s good to have my paws back on the ground.”

Anna smiled and nodded.

“So,” Basil said, gently batting his balloon to and fro. “How did this fascination with balloons begin?”

“It started when I was very young. I wanted to tell you, I was just…” Anna’s voice trailed off.

“Nervous?” Basil offered.

Anna nodded. “I was worried about what you might think.”

“I don’t see anything wrong with it. Love your balloons, Miss Anna, and don’t let anyone say it’s wrong.”

Anna suddenly smiled, took Basil’s paw and kissed him softly. “Thank you.”