I woke with a start, something had hit me on the head,

albeit very gently. Sitting up slowly I found there was a mass

of bright red heart shaped balloons with matching bows and

ribbons surrounding me.

One was sitting just above my head, the end of the ribbon

tickling my nose. For a moment I wondered if I was still

dreaming, when Woof my Old English Sheepdog friend appeared

at the far end of the shelf tugging a balloon behind her.

Sitting down beside me Woof explained what had happened.

The balloons are part of some sort of promotion, the staff are

supposed to take them out into the car park and give them out

on Valentines day. One has a ticket attached for an evening

out at a posh restaurant, complete with a chauffeur driven limousine,

flowers, champagne and chocolates.

Unfortunately, the tie broke on one of the bunches and the balloons were set free, most have flown up here. The Warehouse staff are trying to retrieve them.

Wonder what happens if the winning ticket is attached to one of those, asked a tall lad named Daz who was standing on the platform of the machine that had put us onto the top shelf of the storage unit just after Christmas. Someone else remarked that balloon was probably in the managers office and they all laughed thinking that was a big joke.

We sat silently watching and listening, when Daz now level with our shelf, said in a quiet voice

"come on now you lot, I could do with your help, I know you can move about when you want to!"

Woof barked, and the lad jumped on the platform very nearly loosing his balance.

"how do you know we can move?" she growled.

"Well, I have, err, noticed you seem to change places on this shelf a great deal, and without the help of any warehouse staff." Daz winked and Woof and gave her a big smile.

"Don’t worry I am not going to mention it to anyone. Anyway, they would think I am an odd one wouldn’t they?

Working together we assisted the lad and collected most of the balloons, luckily nobody else appeared to notice Daz had a number of helpers. There was one balloon completely out of reach, and we decided to leave it, especially as it was nearly time for Daz to finish work for the day.

Whilst dozing that evening I decided it would be rather nice to rescue the balloon and give it to Woof, maybe also find her some flowers for Valentines Day. She was a very dear friend and we had been through a lot together since arriving at The Warehouse.

I waited until all the bears and cuddly toys were asleep and then climbed down from our storage unit, and to the top of the adjacent shelves where large packets of soap powder were stored. Managing more easily that I expected to get hold of the balloon’s ribbon , which had caught on a plastic handle on one of the boxes. Taking it carefully back to our shelf, I tie it behind some plastic containers and just hoped The Warehouse staff would not notice.

By chance the next day The Warehouse staff, started to move the packets of powder, nobody realised the balloon had gone, except of course Daz. Later he found an excuse to climb up close to us, thanking us for our help the day before.

"The Manager is very pleased we the balloons back" he said with a wink and added in a whisper " the winning ticket is on your balloon." I felt very embarrassed, but Daz gave his friendly smile, another wink and left.

The 14^th of February dawned and was a beautiful day, the sun shone, it felt just like spring, everyone was happy and lively. Woof was spellbound by the balloon and flowers I had managed to find during the night. In fact tears streamed from her eyes as she sat beside me on the shelf, her head lightly resting on my arm, the balloon firmly held in a paw.

Girls from The Warehouse offices dressed up in stunning outfits with big red hearts adorned with sequins on them, they stood outside in the car park giving customers balloons as they left. There was a great deal of excitement, but nobody appeared to have the winning balloon.

"Told you" remarked Daz’s colleague from the day before " the manager has got that ticket in his office!"

"Don’t be stupid" replied Daz " …. But I might know where the balloon is …." He hurried back into The Warehouse, having remembered seeing something attached to the balloon I had rescued.

Making an excuse about double checking the soap powder, Daz asked one of his fellow workers to lift him up to the top of the storage unit, talking quietly he asked me to check the balloon and sure enough there was a small red envelope attached to the bow.

Very carefully we took the envelope off and Woof gave it to Daz telling him to go and place it on another balloon, however, Daz had another idea, and told us he had to go and see someone.

The Warehouse manager was sitting in his office eating a very large cream bun when Daz knocked on the door.

"We have a problem" he told his boss adding it was highly unlikely he would believe him. Then, very quickly, without giving the manager time to think, Daz explained adding his idea.

For a few moments the office was very quiet and still whilst the manager thought over the suggestion. Then, he roared with laughter and said he loved it. However he would not be able to take part, but maybe Daz and his girlfriend could accompany the lucky winners to the restaurant. He asked with a big smile on his face.

Several seconds passed before Daz realised exactly what the manager had said.

"Wow, thank you, I did not expect that! Gosh, that’s wonderful" stuttered an amazed Daz.

"Off you go then" suggested the manager "make the arrangements and have a wonderful evening. You had better explain all to your girlfriend and The Bears what is happening!"

Later that evening, just before the showroom of The Warehouse closed, an extremely smartly dressed Daz together with his girlfriend, carefully carried a rather large Teddy Bear and a cuddly Old English Sheepdog toy out to a waiting bright pink limousine. Photographers were there to record the event, and Daz promised to get us some pictures.

At the restaurant we were greeted by a rather surprised staff, but after all it was Valentines Day and a number of small bears holding red hearts in their paws, could be seen sitting around the place. Fed delightful pieces of salmon, chicken and finally marshmallow cover in chocolate from a fountain, the evening was fantastic! We let Daz and his girlfriend enjoy the champagne, chocolates and enormous bouquet of red roses presented to her as we left for the return journey.

Just one small problem said Daz, you are going to have to come home with us. The manager has made me promise to return you both to The Warehouse in the morning.

To finish a rather unusual and exciting day, we slept on a very comfortable sofa that night and treated to toast and marmalade with a cup of hot chocolate before going back to The Warehouse with Daz the following day.

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