Oliver and the Loud Hair Dryer

Oliver sat on the bedroom rug in his big blue towel.

Ava sat next to him with a pile of four little flannels.

"Bath time for my toys," said Oliver.

Hattie the Hedgehog sat on the bed and wiggled her nose.

"Me too, please," said Hattie. "I am very wet."

Hattie was not wet at all. She just liked flannels.

First came Bunny, with long floppy ears.

Oliver wrapped Bunny in a yellow flannel. Pat, pat, pat.

"Dry Bunny," said Ava, and she smiled.

Next came Duck, with a bright orange beak.

Oliver wrapped Duck in a green flannel. Pat, pat, pat.

"Quack quack," said Ava, and Duck went next to Bunny.

Drip, drip went Oliver's hair onto the rug.

A drop ran down his nose. Ava giggled.

Mum came and sat beside him on the rug.

"Your hair is still wet, Oliver," said Mum.

Oliver stopped with Bear in his hands. He looked up at Mum.

Mum held out the hair dryer.

"This makes a big loud sound," said Mum. "It blows warm air."

"It goes off when your hair is dry," said Mum. "It goes off right away if you say stop."

"You can nod when you want it on," said Mum.

Oliver held Bear tight. He climbed onto Mum's lap.

Hattie hopped down to the rug beside them.

"I will hold the red flannel," said Hattie. "It is the best one."

Oliver looked at Mum. Then he gave one small nod.

"Now," said Mum, softly.

Click went the button. The dryer was loud, all at once.

Warm air blew through Oliver's hair. His hair went this way and that way.

Oliver shook his head.

"Stop," said Mum, and she switched it off at once.

The bedroom was still again.

Mum gave Oliver a long cuddle. Oliver leaned on her warm arm.

Ava held Duck up high. Duck gave Oliver a little kiss on the cheek.

Hattie put the red flannel on her own head.

"Look, I am a hat," said Hattie.

Oliver laughed. The red flannel slid right off Hattie's prickles.

Oliver sat a little taller on Mum's lap.

He looked at Mum and nodded again.

"Now," said Oliver and Mum together.

Click went the button, and the loud dryer came back on.

Warm air blew and blew. Oliver kept his hand on Mum's knee.

Mum touched his hair. It was soft and dry.

Click went the button, and the dryer went off.

The bedroom was still and bright.

Oliver patted his own fluffy hair. Pat, pat, pat.

"Now Bear," said Oliver.

He wrapped Bear in a white flannel. Pat, pat, pat.

"Dry Bear," said Ava, and Bear went next to Duck.

Three toys sat in a row. One red flannel was left.

Hattie looked at the red flannel. Hattie looked at Oliver.

"Is that one for me?" asked Hattie.

Oliver wrapped Hattie in the red flannel, very gently.

Pat, pat, pat, went Oliver's hands on Hattie's prickles.

"Ooh, tickly," said Hattie, and she snuggled in.

Four toys sat in a row, all dry and cosy.

Mum gave Oliver a warm hug.

"Oliver, I loved drying your hair with you today," said Mum.

Oliver smiled and leaned on Mum.

Sunshine came in through the bedroom window.

"Have a lovely day, Oliver! Have a lovely day, Ava!" said Hattie the Hedgehog, from her red flannel.