Nanny Piggins and the Ghosts of Easter

Every Easter Nanny Piggins goes on a  shameless chocolate eating frenzy. Her Easter egg guzzling is so out of control it frightens children, and adults and even the Police Sergeant. So Derrick, Samantha and Michael come up with an idea to convince their beloved Nanny to behave better, just this once. They visit her in the night dressed up as the ghosts of Easter past, present and future. Will she reform her ways? Listen and find out!

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Transcript

R.A. Spratt:   0:00
Hello and welcome to Bedtime Stories with R.A. Spratt. Today we've got a special episode because my publisher has given me permission to read a chapter from one of my books because it's for Easter and this chapter is about Easter. So I'm going to read Chapter five from 'Nanny Piggins and the Rival Ringmaster' and Chapter five is called 'Nanny Piggins and  the Ghosts of Easter'.  

R.A. Spratt:   0:00
'Don't you just love Easter?' beamed Nanny Piggins.? As faras holidays go, it's got everything going for it. Fresh flowers, ostentatious hats and, of course, chocolate. Nanny, begin smiled and even bigger smile before skipping happily towards the kitchen. Yes, Easter, said Derek. Lovely set. Samantha couldn't be nicer, said Michael. Always a favourite, said Boris. Once the door swung shut, the Children huddled around Boris to talk tactics. Right? What are we going to do? Ask Boris. We tried locking her in the cellar last year, and that didn't work, said Michael. We should have seen it coming, said Samantha, shaking her head. We all know how good years air tunnelling we could lock her in the attic, suggested Derek. She's a flying pig! Exclaimed Boris she isn't going to let a little thing like a double brick wall and an eight metre drop keeper from the biggest chocolate eating day of the year. What have we locked her in? A safe first, suggested Samantha. Then lock the safe in the attic. That's no good, said Boris. My sister could get out of a safe faster than you can get out of a pair of leather trousers. Takes quite a long time to get out of a pair of leather trousers, said Derek. He knew this because he'd had an English teacher who made him play an Austrian goat herder, wherein later housing in the school. Pantomime. My point exactly, said Boris. We can't just let her run loose like she did last year, said Samantha. She scared Children. She scared adults, said Derek. And she made the police side and cry, added Boris, and she ate so much chocolate. She was in a sugar induced coma for three days, added Michael. Why don't we tried reasoning with her? Suggested Samantha scoff Boris being Russian, who's very good at making these sorts of guttural noises, she'd never listened to reason arguments when she could be eating a chocolate egg. The Children had to nod sadly at the truth of this. If only there was some way we could show Nanny Pickens the effect she has on other people when she rampages through the neighbourhood wildly gobbling chocolate, said Michael, I've got it, exclaimed Eric. Got what? Ask Boris, not lice. I hope it's all right for you humans, because you've only got hair on your heads. But when you're a bear with lice, scratching is a full time job. No, I've got an idea for how we can help Nanny Pickens. Does it involve a blowgun and elephant tranquillisers as Michael? No. Although perhaps we should have those on standby in case my plan doesn't work, said Derek. What's your idea or Samantha? Well, said Derek, we've been reading Charles Dickins at school. Oh, you poor boy! Sympathise Boris, wrapping Derek in a big bear, Hoke. Why did you say so earlier? Dickins writes such horribly thick books with such difficult big words. Now wonder. You've been looking one lately. Know what I mean is we've been reading a Christmas carol, said Derek through a mouthful of Boris's for the storey of Scrooge. Oh, that's not such a bad book, said Boris, that in Derek Go, it's much shorter than the others, and it's got ghosts in it, so it's very exciting. That's right, Sir Derek on the ghosts. Come to Scrooge in the night and show him how awful his behaviour is it Christmas? So we should do the same thing for Nanny Pickens, said Michael. Catching on. We could use Ghost to shown any Pickens what Easter behaviour is like. But where are we going to find three ghosts? Ask Boris. I only know one, and he isn't very agreeable. All he ever says is Boo or we'll be the ghosts, announced Derek. Boris grabbed Derek and hugged him again. Almost but not quite breaking all his ribs. I admit that my sister's Easter excesses need to be stopped, but I will absolutely not allow you to jump in front of a bus just so you could become a ghost, a re enact operable from 19th century literature. It's all right, Boris Quick Derek. It's hard to talk when your diaphragms being crushed. I only meant we could pretend to be ghosts all, said Boris. That's a much better idea. When Nanny begins, went to bed that night. She was delirious with excitement. She loved Easter so much normally when she was that excited, she could not sleep it all. But on this occasion, she been excited all week. So after five nights of giddy anticipation, Nanny Pickens fell into a deep sleep. A Sooners, her head touched the pillow. Now, at this point, I should take a moment to explain. Nanny begins annual about off uncharacteristically selfish behaviour. As anybody who has read in any Pickens adventures knows, she was usually a very generous soul, even though she loved cake with every fibre of her being. She still has a point of principle, always, always, always shared. But Easter was her one blind spot. She could not wrap her mind around the concept that a chocolate egg hidden in someone else's garden in a street and suburb miles away from her own home was not put there for her. As far as she was concerned, any chocolate left unattended in an open area was free game. As a result, she always a dangerous amounts of confectionery. On Easter Day on, a lot of Children have very sad Easter's, where they found no eggs were left thinking that the Easter Bunny had been very cruel in hiding his chocolate eggs in extraordinarily difficult locations. I know it does not sound logical, but in Nanny Pickens defence, it's hard to feel logical when you've eaten seven times your own body weight in chocolate. Now back to the storey, Nanny Pickens had been asleep for some time. When the window rattled, Boris was standing outside on the ladder, pretended to be a spooky wind by shaking the window frame. Next, a moaning sound came from outside the door. Michael was pretended to be a ghost by reenacting the sounds he made after last Easter stomachache. Then smoke rolled in under the doorway. Derek was pretending to be an eerie fog by standing outside the door with a pop up toaster, purposely burning toast. Then, among the rattling, moaning and smoke, Samantha made her dramatic entrance. She was wrapped from head to foot in gold tinsel on where in Mrs Simpson's wedding dress. Mrs. Simpson had actually agreed to this because she was so shocked when they asked. Nanny Pickens usually just took things and gave sorry gifts later, well, said Samantha, dramatically as she rolled into Nanny Pickens bedroom on a skateboard. You couldn't see the skateboard because the skirt of the wedding dress was so long it looked like Samantha was floating into the room. Sadly, the spectacular cacophony of home made special effects was wasted on Nanny Pickens, who continued to sleep soundly. Well, Ah, well, Samantha, even more loudly, but her nanny did not stir. She's not waking up Samat the history Derek and Michael in the hallway. Try this, Sir Derek as he put down his toaster on passing that the chocolate bar, Samantha lean forward and held the chocolate bar over the bed. Then, ever so gently rustled, the rapper Nanny Pickens immediately sprang. Bolt upright. Give me the chocolate! She demanded. Samantha put the chocolate bar back in her pocket. Surprisingly, Mrs Simpson's wedding dress did have pockets because Mrs Simpson or Miss Paris, as she was known at the time, knew that speeches at wedding receptions could be very dull. So she wanted to have a novel on hand for secretly reading under the table. I am the ghost of Easter passed, announced Samantha grandly. Really said Nanny begins because you're the spittin image of the little girl. I look after. Have you met her? Her name's Samantha, Samantha decided, was best to ignore her nanny's insightful comment. I am here to show you the easterners that have Bean, she declared. Calm with me. Then he begins. Scaled. Samantha realised what a nanny was thinking and corrected herself. Please come with me. All right, then, certainly begin smiling and jumping out of bed, but will have to be quick. I need my Easter sleep. I've got a big day of eating tomorrow. Nanny Pickens led Samantha downstairs. She had to get off the skateboard when she got to the staircase because she didn't want to break a neck or tear Mrs Simpson's wedding dress. Then she took many Pickens into the living room where the UN tune television had been switched on. The black and white pixelated screen hummed and crackled. Could, he said, Nanny begins. Are we going to watch TV? Because I haven't had a chance to watch the episode of the young and the irritable that I taped earlier today. I'm dying to find out if Bethany's eyepatch surgery was successful. No, we're going to watch home movies off your easters past in tone. Samantha with a CZ. Much gravitas is she could muster so you can see what you have done. A video crackled onto the screen. Michel was operating the remote from behind the sofa. The video showed Nanny Pickens, a year earlier, looking fabulous but not behaving in the most dignified way. More more bellow the on screen, and he begins as she ran around a stranger's backyard, grabbing chocolate and chopping it up. Wow, marvelled Nanny Pickens. I think my athleticism when I'm Easter egg hunting rivals even my athleticism when I'm being blasted out of a cannon. Keep watching, instructed Samantha sternly on the video. Nanny Pickens was 18. More and more and more chocolate. It was becoming smeared all over her face hair and Easter bonnet. Oh dear said any begins. Milk Chocolate goes with almost everything, but it does not look particularly flattering. With a floral dress. The camera panned across to show two small Children crying. What's wrong with those Children? Asked. Nanny begins. Why are they crying? You ate their Easter eggs, explained Samantha, still in her ghost of Easter passed voice. Very stirrings questioned. Any begins, they were hidden in their garden. At it. Samantha, then Why did they find them and eat their mass? Nanny Pickens, genuinely puzzled because Children aren't allowed to get up a three o'clock in the morning and go running around in the dark, explained Samantha. They're not exclaimed. Any pigeons. I always let Derek, Samantha, Michael do that if they want to. Most parents make their Children wait a least until daylight before they start their Easter egg. Hunt said Samantha really asked many Pickens, those poor Children. I just assumed that all those eggs have been abandoned by Siri's of people who would suddenly on unexpectedly been diagnosed with diabetes. Now you know what you have done, said Samantha. Sounding is authoritative and dramatic. Is she could You may return to bed since we're up. How about we watch the young and irritable anyway? Suggested many Pickens. No, you must return to bad, said Samantha family. 20 minutes later, Nanny Pickens was again in a deep sleep boroughs, and the Children had given up. Trying to Wake Nanny begins with ghost effects. So Michael dressed up in Mr Green's bed sheet. They had sent Mr Greene to bed on a bare mattress, explaining that his sheets had been confiscated by the dirty laundry police on organisation that doesn't exist, but certainly should. Michael marched in and prodded. Nanny begins with a fire poker while Gillian wake up, Nanny begin stirred. Does she wants something? She asked, appearing at Michael with bleary eyes. I am the ghost of Easter present, announced. Michael. Present exclaimed. Any Pickens? You giving me a present? How lovely. I thought that only happened at Christmas. I do love presents. They're almost as good as Easter eggs. There will be no presence. The glad Michael before his nanny could get carried away with that idea. That's a shame, said many begin. So curly. I am here to show you what you will do this Easter in tone to Michael. Lots of chocolate as many Pickens excitedly. Oh, yes, said Michael. That is the problem. How can eating chocolate ever be a problem? Puzzled, many begins, watch and learn instructed Michael mysteriously. Just then the doors of nanny begins. Walk in wardrobe magically swung open. It wasn't really magic. Derek did it with a length of fishing line, but it looked magical. Inside the wardrobe, which had been lit up like a Broadway play, stood Mrs Hazeltine the chocolate ear from the finest chocolate shop in town. Nanny figures did not often visit this marvellous establishment because she found her chocolate dollar always went much further in the worst chocolate shop in town. But Nanny begin still held the Hazeltine chocolate Ori um, in the high regard it deserved, which is why it was so distressing for Nanny Pickens to see such an important person. Is Mrs Hazeltine loudly weeping? This is hassle time. What's wrong? As many pigeons. She can't hear you, said Michael. Why she forgot to turn a hearing aid on as many pigeons. She can't hear you because this hasn't happened yet, explained Michael. This is a vision of what will happen later on today. Oh, certainly begins not quite understanding and beginning to feel uncomfortable to be watching such a fine chocolate artist feeling so unhappy. Woe is May, declared Mrs Hessel Tine. Easter is usually my best time of the year, but all my customers are angry with me because someone bought all my chocolate, leaving none for anybody else but who would do such a thing as many pigeons. Alas, alack whaled Mrs Heseltine, who will be in a fine chocolate here was not a very good actor. I curse the day that the world's most glamorous pig set Trotta inside my store pick did it! Exclaimed Nanny Pickens wasn't one of my evil. Identical 14 applets. Sisters Oh, nanny pig gins. Oh, sob, Mrs Hazeltine, why did you have to ruin my business? It was, May exclaimed, Any pigeons? But where did I ever find that sort of money? You went on an Internet auction site, explained Michael in his ghost of Easter present. Voice on sold Father. I mean, Mr Green. What? Queried Nanny Pickens? Surely you mean I sold Mr Green's car on Mr Greene's stamp collection? No, said Michael firmly. You sold Mr Green, But who would buy him? Mass nanny begins? Apparently, Ah, Bavarian business tycoon needed a particularly large paperweight, explained Michael solemnly on He thought Mr Green would be perfect being heavy enough to hold down a large amount of papers, but beatable enough to get up and sit down again on new papers when told to. So last year, I ate all the chocolate before anyone else could eat any city. Any begins on this year, I'm going to buy all the chocolate before anybody else can buy it. Exactly, said Michael. Oh, dear, said, Nanny begins. It's a good job. I'm astonishingly beautiful or I'd be very unpopular. Half an hour later, Nanny Pickens was back in bed and drifted into a much less easy sleep. She was having dreams of weeping Children on stubborn chocolate stains. It would not come out, no matter how hard she scrubbed. This was when Derek entered Nanny begins. The work immediately assumes she heard the door hinges. Creak. What do you want? She asked. I am the ghost of Easter futures. A Derek throwing on a ghostly were for good measure. Oh, said many Figgins. Well, if it's all right with you, I'd rather go back to sleep. I don't particularly want to know what happens in my future. On any Pickens, lay back in bed and pull the covers up over her head. You must come with me to see the damage. You will dio mon, the ghost of Easter Future Derek Nanny begins side. I never realised ghost could be such terrible nags. She got out of bed and put on her slippers. If I have bags under my eyes tomorrow and I look anything less than fabulous, I will know who to blame. You're just lucky you want a corporeal beam, right? Give your shins a good hard bite. Nanny begins. Follow the ghost of Easter Future down to the kitchen. When she pushed over the doors, she saw Samantha, Michael and Boris slumped at the kitchen table wearing nothing but rags. What's wrong, Last Nanny Pickens. Why they huddling? Why do they look so sad? Oh, woe is May said Samantha. This must be the worst Easter ever. What happened? Nanny Pickens, ask The ghost of Easter passed, but Derek did not respond except a point at Boris, Samantha and Michael. What are we going to do now that our beloved nanny is in gaol? Wailed. Michael. I'm in gaol! Exclaimed. Any pigeons? What for? Cake rustling, tart napping, put in pinching. There's been no one to look after us. Ever since she's been imprisoned for Easter Egg. Embezzling moment. Samantha. What did I do? Ask many pigeons. It must have been bad. The police sergeant is usually so very kind about letting me off with warnings. What was she thinking? This bad Michael? Trying to divert the entire world supply of Easter eggs to our house. Now there is nothing. Teo wept, Boris. Oh, except he broke down too loud. Sobs. Oh, nothing, Teo eight except vegetables do. Boris picked up a ladleful of grey green gloopy mess scream nanny pigeons at this horrible sight, the Children cried harder. Nanny Pickens ran from the room and back up the stairs to a bedroom, where she jumped into bed and pull the covers over her head. I can't let it happen. I can't let it happen, she muttered furtively as she finally collapsed into a troubled slumber. The next morning, Nanny begins. Alarm went off for 50 AM sharp. This was late for nanny peons. She usually got up 1 45 AM on Easter morning, but of visitors of the night and cause it to oversleep. Nanny Pickens leapt out of bed and hurried over to the window, where she threw up the sash and leaned outside. It was still half dark, so there was no bee about except an early morning jogger. Yeah, they're called Nanny Pickens. The jogger did not here because he was wearing earphones. You there? She called again, this time throwing a hairbrush at the back of the judge's head to get his attention. How? What? Asked the jogger turning around and rubbing his sore head. What day is it? Asked. Nanny begins Sunday, said the jogger. Is it Easter Sunday? Asked many. Pickens. Yes, said the jogger, cried 90 Pickens. Then. I haven't missed it. Can I keep jogging now? Ask the jogger. No, said Nanny Pickens. Here, take Mr Greene's credit card. She said she threw the credit card down to him on Goto. Hazel steals chocolate Oh, Reum and buy all the stock, but I want to go home, complained the jogger. Do I have to come down there? Glowered Nanny Pickens, swinging her leg of the window frame. Ready to do just that? No, said the jogger, surprisingly intimidated by the diminutive pig. Then do as I say instructed. Nanny begins. The jogger turned and walked in the direction of the town centre. You're a jogger, right? You called Nanny Pickens, So job. Come on, move it. Nanny Pickens ran downstairs to the living room. The Children was still up there, not bother going to bed after their three act ghost performance. They thought it best to brace themselves for the onslaught. What are you doing? Nanny begins our Samantha, What's going on? I'm buying up all the chocolate in town, declared many pigeons proudly, Ono said. Michael. But this is exactly the opposite what our plan was supposed to achieve, said Derek. I blame Dickins, said Boris. Sadly, anyone who takes 700 pages to tell a Storey about an orphan only to sit down and write another 700 page storey about another orphan obviously has a screw loose Children. I have a secret to reveal, said Nanny Pickens, excitedly ignoring the strange conversation she didn't understand. Please say you've invented a time machine so we can go back to tomorrow. Big Michael know better than that beam nanny begins. You know, I've been making your father park his Rolls Royce in the street all month. Yes, at the Children warily. Well, I was telling him a fib, said Nanny Pickens. Rolls Royces don't need fresh air to clean the catalytic converters. Then why did you make him move his car? Are Samantha? I've bean storing something in the garret, said Nanny Pickens with a twinkle in her eye. Let me show you. She led them to the carriage and threw open the door. But Boris and the Children could not see inside the carriage because flush with the door frame was a wall off Easter eggs off all different sizes and varieties. Dark chocolate milk chocolate honey comb. Studied chocolate on chocolate filled with chocolate bits. Please tell me you've simply build a wall of chocolate. Big Samantha. No said 90 begins. Every inch of the carriage is entirely filled with Easter eggs, nanny pagans and Derek sadly shaking his head. What have you done? I've bean stockpiling them since Boxing Day, when Easter eggs first came into the shops, explained nanny pigeons, which wasn't easy. You know what I'm like with chocolate? I kept eating the stockpile and then having to start stockpiling again. But why did you do it? Ask Michael, Don't you get enough chocolate in your day to day life? You do eat chocolate nine times a day before, after and instead ofthe every meal at a Derek, you can never have enough chocolate child in any pickens. I need to keep my energy up for my active lifestyle. The Children could not deny that their nanny led an active lifestyle. Well, I suppose this Easter will be just like last year, then site Samantha. We won't see you till tonight and then you'll come home chocolate stained and delirious with overeating, only to collapse in the middle of the kitchen floor. Well, that's where you're wrong, said Nanny Pickens proudly. Last night I was visited by three ghosts. You were as the Children with mock innocence. Yes, and these ghosts have obviously been reading. Charles Dickins said 90 Pickens, because they came to teach me a lesson about Easter. Did it work? Ask Derek. Hopefully, absolutely, said Nanny Pickens Island. That Easter is not about 18 as much chocolate as you can until you're sick. It is an ask Boris. Well, he did not approve of how much talk of his sister. Eight. He'd always assumed that this was exactly the reason for the holiday, Easter announced Many. Pickens is about sharing chocolate with others until they are sick. The Children frowned as they thought about this. I suppose that is an improvement on your attitude from last year. Concede that Samantha, But why did you make that jogger going by all the chocolate from Hessel? Stein's asked Derek on why you showing us your stockpile, asked Michael, because I've had a brilliant idea, said Nanny Pickens with a big smile. An hour later, nanny begins. Boris and the Children were standing outside the town hall in the middle of the city centre. Parked alongside them was a big truck from Hazel Stynes. On Alongside that was a removal ISS truck that Nanny Pickens had hired to transport all the Easter eggs from Mr Green's carriage. What do we do in here as Michael? I'm going to orchestrate the biggest Easter egg hunt ever, said Nanny begins proudly. How ask Derek, Have you trying to flock of Easter bunnies to hide them for you? Ask Boris. No, said Nanny Pickens. Rabbits are OK, but if you want to distribute something much quicker and in every direction, I know a much better method. What are you talking about? Us. Michael Cannon, Vier said. Nanny Pickens. Look, here it comes. Now the Children Boris turn to see Rosalind, the bearded lady from the circus. Dr. Nanny begins old cannon into the town square, and so nanny begins. Boris and the Children spent Easter morning loading the cannon up on blast in eggs into the sky time and time again on the Children of the town awoke to the greatest Easter gift ever. The sight of chocolate eggs rain in from the heavens. Nanny Pickens borrows. The Children went home very happy was a terrible view not to go on your chocolate eating rampage this year. Are Samantha. No, actually, it wasn't said Nanny begins with a smile while eating chocolate is my very favourite thing to do in the entire world. Blast in things Out of cannons comes a very close second. But as Nanny Pickens pushed open their front gate, they were greeted by a wonderful sight. The front lawn and indeed, the whole house and back garden as well, were littered with Easter eggs. The body has been squealed, Boris excitedly. Don't be silly, said Nanny Pickens. It must be those nice ghosts rewarding me for my improved behaviour. Now the Children realised it was more likely that these were simply some of the eggs that they had themselves blasted out of the cannon. But they didn't say anything because Nanny Pickens behaviour had improved and she deserved a treat. Nanny begins, Borrows The Children took off happily running about the garden grabbing eggs and eating them, sometimes without even removing the foil. The end. Thank you for listening to the special Easter podcast. If you've enjoyed it and want to support the podcast, then just go to your local bookstore or favourite online bookseller on by a book by May are a sprite. That's until next time, Goodbye for now.

R.A. Spratt:   0:00
Don't you just love Easter being 90 begins? As faras holidays go, it's got everything going for it. Fresh flowers, ostentatious hats and, of course, chocolate. Nanny, begin smiled and even bigger smile before skipping happily towards the kitchen. Yes, Easter, said Derek. Lovely set. Samantha couldn't be nicer, said Michael. Always a favourite, said Boris. Once the door swung shut, the Children huddled around Boris to talk tactics. Right? What are we going to do? Ask Boris. We tried locking her in the cellar last year, and that didn't work, said Michael. We should have seen it coming, said Samantha, shaking her head. We all know how good years air tunnelling we could lock her in the attic, suggested Derek. She's a flying pig! Exclaimed Boris she isn't going to let a little thing like a double brick wall and an eight metre drop keeper from the biggest chocolate eating day of the year. What have we locked her in? A safe first, suggested Samantha. Then lock the safe in the attic. That's no good, said Boris. My sister could get out of a safe faster than you can get out of a pair of leather trousers. Takes quite a long time to get out of a pair of leather trousers, said Derek. He knew this because he'd had an English teacher who made him play an Austrian goat herder, wherein later housing in the school. Pantomime. My point exactly, said Boris. We can't just let her run loose like she did last year, said Samantha. She scared Children. She scared adults, said Derek. And she made the police side and cry, added Boris, and she ate so much chocolate. She was in a sugar induced coma for three days, added Michael. Why don't we tried reasoning with her? Suggested Samantha scoff Boris being Russian, who's very good at making these sorts of guttural noises, she'd never listened to reason arguments when she could be eating a chocolate egg. The Children had to nod sadly at the truth of this. If only there was some way we could show Nanny Pickens the effect she has on other people when she rampages through the neighbourhood wildly gobbling chocolate, said Michael, I've got it, exclaimed Eric. Got what? Ask Boris, not lice. I hope it's all right for you humans, because you've only got hair on your heads. But when you're a bear with lice, scratching is a full time job. No, I've got an idea for how we can help Nanny Pickens. Does it involve a blowgun and elephant tranquillisers as Michael? No. Although perhaps we should have those on standby in case my plan doesn't work, said Derek. What's your idea or Samantha? Well, said Derek, we've been reading Charles Dickins at school. Oh, you poor boy! Sympathise Boris, wrapping Derek in a big bear, Hoke. Why did you say so earlier? Dickins writes such horribly thick books with such difficult big words. Now wonder. You've been looking one lately. Know what I mean is we've been reading a Christmas carol, said Derek through a mouthful of Boris's for the storey of Scrooge. Oh, that's not such a bad book, said Boris, that in Derek Go, it's much shorter than the others, and it's got ghosts in it, so it's very exciting. That's right, Sir Derek on the ghosts. Come to Scrooge in the night and show him how awful his behaviour is it Christmas? So we should do the same thing for Nanny Pickens, said Michael. Catching on. We could use Ghost to shown any Pickens what Easter behaviour is like. But where are we going to find three ghosts? Ask Boris. I only know one, and he isn't very agreeable. All he ever says is Boo or we'll be the ghosts, announced Derek. Boris grabbed Derek and hugged him again. Almost but not quite breaking all his ribs. I admit that my sister's Easter excesses need to be stopped, but I will absolutely not allow you to jump in front of a bus just so you could become a ghost, a re enact operable from 19th century literature. It's all right, Boris Quick Derek. It's hard to talk when your diaphragms being crushed. I only meant we could pretend to be ghosts all, said Boris. That's a much better idea. When Nanny begins, went to bed that night. She was delirious with excitement. She loved Easter so much normally when she was that excited, she could not sleep it all. But on this occasion, she been excited all week. So after five nights of giddy anticipation, Nanny Pickens fell into a deep sleep. A Sooners, her head touched the pillow. Now, at this point, I should take a moment to explain. Nanny begins annual about off uncharacteristically selfish behaviour. As anybody who has read in any Pickens adventures knows, she was usually a very generous soul, even though she loved cake with every fibre of her being. She still has a point of principle, always, always, always shared. But Easter was her one blind spot. She could not wrap her mind around the concept that a chocolate egg hidden in someone else's garden in a street and suburb miles away from her own home was not put there for her. As far as she was concerned, any chocolate left unattended in an open area was free game. As a result, she always a dangerous amounts of confectionery. On Easter Day on, a lot of Children have very sad Easter's, where they found no eggs were left thinking that the Easter Bunny had been very cruel in hiding his chocolate eggs in extraordinarily difficult locations. I know it does not sound logical, but in Nanny Pickens defence, it's hard to feel logical when you've eaten seven times your own body weight in chocolate. Now back to the storey, Nanny Pickens had been asleep for some time. When the window rattled, Boris was standing outside on the ladder, pretended to be a spooky wind by shaking the window frame. Next, a moaning sound came from outside the door. Michael was pretended to be a ghost by reenacting the sounds he made after last Easter stomachache. Then smoke rolled in under the doorway. Derek was pretending to be an eerie fog by standing outside the door with a pop up toaster, purposely burning toast. Then, among the rattling, moaning and smoke, Samantha made her dramatic entrance. She was wrapped from head to foot in gold tinsel on where in Mrs Simpson's wedding dress. Mrs. Simpson had actually agreed to this because she was so shocked when they asked. Nanny Pickens usually just took things and gave sorry gifts later, well, said Samantha, dramatically as she rolled into Nanny Pickens bedroom on a skateboard. You couldn't see the skateboard because the skirt of the wedding dress was so long it looked like Samantha was floating into the room. Sadly, the spectacular cacophony of home made special effects was wasted on Nanny Pickens, who continued to sleep soundly. Well, Ah, well, Samantha, even more loudly, but her nanny did not stir. She's not waking up Samat the history Derek and Michael in the hallway. Try this, Sir Derek as he put down his toaster on passing that the chocolate bar, Samantha lean forward and held the chocolate bar over the bed. Then, ever so gently rustled, the rapper Nanny Pickens immediately sprang. Bolt upright. Give me the chocolate! She demanded. Samantha put the chocolate bar back in her pocket. Surprisingly, Mrs Simpson's wedding dress did have pockets because Mrs Simpson or Miss Paris, as she was known at the time, knew that speeches at wedding receptions could be very dull. So she wanted to have a novel on hand for secretly reading under the table. I am the ghost of Easter passed, announced Samantha grandly. Really said Nanny begins because you're the spittin image of the little girl. I look after. Have you met her? Her name's Samantha, Samantha decided, was best to ignore her nanny's insightful comment. I am here to show you the easterners that have Bean, she declared. Calm with me. Then he begins. Scaled. Samantha realised what a nanny was thinking and corrected herself. Please come with me. All right, then, certainly begin smiling and jumping out of bed, but will have to be quick. I need my Easter sleep. I've got a big day of eating tomorrow. Nanny Pickens led Samantha downstairs. She had to get off the skateboard when she got to the staircase because she didn't want to break a neck or tear Mrs Simpson's wedding dress. Then she took many Pickens into the living room where the UN tune television had been switched on. The black and white pixelated screen hummed and crackled. Could, he said, Nanny begins. Are we going to watch TV? Because I haven't had a chance to watch the episode of the young and the irritable that I taped earlier today. I'm dying to find out if Bethany's eyepatch surgery was successful. No, we're going to watch home movies off your easters past in tone. Samantha with a CZ. Much gravitas is she could muster so you can see what you have done. A video crackled onto the screen. Michel was operating the remote from behind the sofa. The video showed Nanny Pickens, a year earlier, looking fabulous but not behaving in the most dignified way. More more bellow the on screen, and he begins as she ran around a stranger's backyard, grabbing chocolate and chopping it up. Wow, marvelled Nanny Pickens. I think my athleticism when I'm Easter egg hunting rivals even my athleticism when I'm being blasted out of a cannon. Keep watching, instructed Samantha sternly on the video. Nanny Pickens was 18. More and more and more chocolate. It was becoming smeared all over her face hair and Easter bonnet. Oh dear said any begins. Milk Chocolate goes with almost everything, but it does not look particularly flattering. With a floral dress. The camera panned across to show two small Children crying. What's wrong with those Children? Asked. Nanny begins. Why are they crying? You ate their Easter eggs, explained Samantha, still in her ghost of Easter passed voice. Very stirrings questioned. Any begins, they were hidden in their garden. At it. Samantha, then Why did they find them and eat their mass? Nanny Pickens, genuinely puzzled because Children aren't allowed to get up a three o'clock in the morning and go running around in the dark, explained Samantha. They're not exclaimed. Any pigeons. I always let Derek, Samantha, Michael do that if they want to. Most parents make their Children wait a least until daylight before they start their Easter egg. Hunt said Samantha really asked many Pickens, those poor Children. I just assumed that all those eggs have been abandoned by Siri's of people who would suddenly on unexpectedly been diagnosed with diabetes. Now you know what you have done, said Samantha. Sounding is authoritative and dramatic. Is she could You may return to bed since we're up. How about we watch the young and irritable anyway? Suggested many Pickens. No, you must return to bad, said Samantha family. 20 minutes later, Nanny Pickens was again in a deep sleep boroughs, and the Children had given up. Trying to Wake Nanny begins with ghost effects. So Michael dressed up in Mr Green's bed sheet. They had sent Mr Greene to bed on a bare mattress, explaining that his sheets had been confiscated by the dirty laundry police on organisation that doesn't exist, but certainly should. Michael marched in and prodded. Nanny begins with a fire poker while Gillian wake up, Nanny begin stirred. Does she wants something? She asked, appearing at Michael with bleary eyes. I am the ghost of Easter present, announced. Michael. Present exclaimed. Any Pickens? You giving me a present? How lovely. I thought that only happened at Christmas. I do love presents. They're almost as good as Easter eggs. There will be no presence. The glad Michael before his nanny could get carried away with that idea. That's a shame, said many begin. So curly. I am here to show you what you will do this Easter in tone to Michael. Lots of chocolate as many Pickens excitedly. Oh, yes, said Michael. That is the problem. How can eating chocolate ever be a problem? Puzzled, many begins, watch and learn instructed Michael mysteriously. Just then the doors of nanny begins. Walk in wardrobe magically swung open. It wasn't really magic. Derek did it with a length of fishing line, but it looked magical. Inside the wardrobe, which had been lit up like a Broadway play, stood Mrs Hazeltine the chocolate ear from the finest chocolate shop in town. Nanny figures did not often visit this marvellous establishment because she found her chocolate dollar always went much further in the worst chocolate shop in town. But Nanny begin still held the Hazeltine chocolate Ori um, in the high regard it deserved, which is why it was so distressing for Nanny Pickens to see such an important person. Is Mrs Hazeltine loudly weeping? This is hassle time. What's wrong? As many pigeons. She can't hear you, said Michael. Why she forgot to turn a hearing aid on as many pigeons. She can't hear you because this hasn't happened yet, explained Michael. This is a vision of what will happen later on today. Oh, certainly begins not quite understanding and beginning to feel uncomfortable to be watching such a fine chocolate artist feeling so unhappy. Woe is May, declared Mrs Hessel Tine. Easter is usually my best time of the year, but all my customers are angry with me because someone bought all my chocolate, leaving none for anybody else but who would do such a thing as many pigeons. Alas, alack whaled Mrs Heseltine, who will be in a fine chocolate here was not a very good actor. I curse the day that the world's most glamorous pig set Trotta inside my store pick did it! Exclaimed Nanny Pickens wasn't one of my evil. Identical 14 applets. Sisters Oh, nanny pig gins. Oh, sob, Mrs Hazeltine, why did you have to ruin my business? It was, May exclaimed, Any pigeons? But where did I ever find that sort of money? You went on an Internet auction site, explained Michael in his ghost of Easter present. Voice on sold Father. I mean, Mr Green. What? Queried Nanny Pickens? Surely you mean I sold Mr Green's car on Mr Greene's stamp collection? No, said Michael firmly. You sold Mr Green, But who would buy him? Mass nanny begins? Apparently, Ah, Bavarian business tycoon needed a particularly large paperweight, explained Michael solemnly on He thought Mr Green would be perfect being heavy enough to hold down a large amount of papers, but beatable enough to get up and sit down again on new papers when told to. So last year, I ate all the chocolate before anyone else could eat any city. Any begins on this year, I'm going to buy all the chocolate before anybody else can buy it. Exactly, said Michael. Oh, dear, said, Nanny begins. It's a good job. I'm astonishingly beautiful or I'd be very unpopular. Half an hour later, Nanny Pickens was back in bed and drifted into a much less easy sleep. She was having dreams of weeping Children on stubborn chocolate stains. It would not come out, no matter how hard she scrubbed. This was when Derek entered Nanny begins. The work immediately assumes she heard the door hinges. Creak. What do you want? She asked. I am the ghost of Easter futures. A Derek throwing on a ghostly were for good measure. Oh, said many Figgins. Well, if it's all right with you, I'd rather go back to sleep. I don't particularly want to know what happens in my future. On any Pickens, lay back in bed and pull the covers up over her head. You must come with me to see the damage. You will dio mon, the ghost of Easter Future Derek Nanny begins side. I never realised ghost could be such terrible nags. She got out of bed and put on her slippers. If I have bags under my eyes tomorrow and I look anything less than fabulous, I will know who to blame. You're just lucky you want a corporeal beam, right? Give your shins a good hard bite. Nanny begins. Follow the ghost of Easter Future down to the kitchen. When she pushed over the doors, she saw Samantha, Michael and Boris slumped at the kitchen table wearing nothing but rags. What's wrong, Last Nanny Pickens. Why they huddling? Why do they look so sad? Oh, woe is May said Samantha. This must be the worst Easter ever. What happened? Nanny Pickens, ask The ghost of Easter passed, but Derek did not respond except a point at Boris, Samantha and Michael. What are we going to do now that our beloved nanny is in gaol? Wailed. Michael. I'm in gaol! Exclaimed. Any pigeons? What for? Cake rustling, tart napping, put in pinching. There's been no one to look after us. Ever since she's been imprisoned for Easter Egg. Embezzling moment. Samantha. What did I do? Ask many pigeons. It must have been bad. The police sergeant is usually so very kind about letting me off with warnings. What was she thinking? This bad Michael? Trying to divert the entire world supply of Easter eggs to our house. Now there is nothing. Teo wept, Boris. Oh, except he broke down too loud. Sobs. Oh, nothing, Teo eight except vegetables do. Boris picked up a ladleful of grey green gloopy mess scream nanny pigeons at this horrible sight, the Children cried harder. Nanny Pickens ran from the room and back up the stairs to a bedroom, where she jumped into bed and pull the covers over her head. I can't let it happen. I can't let it happen, she muttered furtively as she finally collapsed into a troubled slumber. The next morning, Nanny begins. Alarm went off for 50 AM sharp. This was late for nanny peons. She usually got up 1 45 AM on Easter morning, but of visitors of the night and cause it to oversleep. Nanny Pickens leapt out of bed and hurried over to the window, where she threw up the sash and leaned outside. It was still half dark, so there was no bee about except an early morning jogger. Yeah, they're called Nanny Pickens. The jogger did not here because he was wearing earphones. You there? She called again, this time throwing a hairbrush at the back of the judge's head to get his attention. How? What? Asked the jogger turning around and rubbing his sore head. What day is it? Asked. Nanny begins Sunday, said the jogger. Is it Easter Sunday? Asked many. Pickens. Yes, said the jogger, cried 90 Pickens. Then. I haven't missed it. Can I keep jogging now? Ask the jogger. No, said Nanny Pickens. Here, take Mr Greene's credit card. She said she threw the credit card down to him on Goto. Hazel steals chocolate Oh, Reum and buy all the stock, but I want to go home, complained the jogger. Do I have to come down there? Glowered Nanny Pickens, swinging her leg of the window frame. Ready to do just that? No, said the jogger, surprisingly intimidated by the diminutive pig. Then do as I say instructed. Nanny begins. The jogger turned and walked in the direction of the town centre. You're a jogger, right? You called Nanny Pickens, So job. Come on, move it. Nanny Pickens ran downstairs to the living room. The Children was still up there, not bother going to bed after their three act ghost performance. They thought it best to brace themselves for the onslaught. What are you doing? Nanny begins our Samantha, What's going on? I'm buying up all the chocolate in town, declared many pigeons proudly, Ono said. Michael. But this is exactly the opposite what our plan was supposed to achieve, said Derek. I blame Dickins, said Boris. Sadly, anyone who takes 700 pages to tell a Storey about an orphan only to sit down and write another 700 page storey about another orphan obviously has a screw loose Children. I have a secret to reveal, said Nanny Pickens, excitedly ignoring the strange conversation she didn't understand. Please say you've invented a time machine so we can go back to tomorrow. Big Michael know better than that beam nanny begins. You know, I've been making your father park his Rolls Royce in the street all month. Yes, at the Children warily. Well, I was telling him a fib, said Nanny Pickens. Rolls Royces don't need fresh air to clean the catalytic converters. Then why did you make him move his car? Are Samantha? I've bean storing something in the garret, said Nanny Pickens with a twinkle in her eye. Let me show you. She led them to the carriage and threw open the door. But Boris and the Children could not see inside the carriage because flush with the door frame was a wall off Easter eggs off all different sizes and varieties. Dark chocolate milk chocolate honey comb. Studied chocolate on chocolate filled with chocolate bits. Please tell me you've simply build a wall of chocolate. Big Samantha. No said 90 begins. Every inch of the carriage is entirely filled with Easter eggs, nanny pagans and Derek sadly shaking his head. What have you done? I've bean stockpiling them since Boxing Day, when Easter eggs first came into the shops, explained nanny pigeons, which wasn't easy. You know what I'm like with chocolate? I kept eating the stockpile and then having to start stockpiling again. But why did you do it? Ask Michael, Don't you get enough chocolate in your day to day life? You do eat chocolate nine times a day before, after and instead ofthe every meal at a Derek, you can never have enough chocolate child in any pickens. I need to keep my energy up for my active lifestyle. The Children could not deny that their nanny led an active lifestyle. Well, I suppose this Easter will be just like last year, then site Samantha. We won't see you till tonight and then you'll come home chocolate stained and delirious with overeating, only to collapse in the middle of the kitchen floor. Well, that's where you're wrong, said Nanny Pickens proudly. Last night I was visited by three ghosts. You were as the Children with mock innocence. Yes, and these ghosts have obviously been reading. Charles Dickins said 90 Pickens, because they came to teach me a lesson about Easter. Did it work? Ask Derek. Hopefully, absolutely, said Nanny Pickens Island. That Easter is not about 18 as much chocolate as you can until you're sick. It is an ask Boris. Well, he did not approve of how much talk of his sister. Eight. He'd always assumed that this was exactly the reason for the holiday, Easter announced Many. Pickens is about sharing chocolate with others until they are sick. The Children frowned as they thought about this. I suppose that is an improvement on your attitude from last year. Concede that Samantha, But why did you make that jogger going by all the chocolate from Hessel? Stein's asked Derek on why you showing us your stockpile, asked Michael, because I've had a brilliant idea, said Nanny Pickens with a big smile. An hour later, nanny begins. Boris and the Children were standing outside the town hall in the middle of the city centre. Parked alongside them was a big truck from Hazel Stynes. On Alongside that was a removal ISS truck that Nanny Pickens had hired to transport all the Easter eggs from Mr Green's carriage. What do we do in here as Michael? I'm going to orchestrate the biggest Easter egg hunt ever, said Nanny begins proudly. How ask Derek, Have you trying to flock of Easter bunnies to hide them for you? Ask Boris. No, said Nanny Pickens. Rabbits are OK, but if you want to distribute something much quicker and in every direction, I know a much better method. What are you talking about? Us. Michael Cannon, Vier said. Nanny Pickens. Look, here it comes. Now the Children Boris turn to see Rosalind, the bearded lady from the circus. Dr. Nanny begins old cannon into the town square, and so nanny begins. Boris and the Children spent Easter morning loading the cannon up on blast in eggs into the sky time and time again on the Children of the town awoke to the greatest Easter gift ever. The sight of chocolate eggs rain in from the heavens. Nanny Pickens borrows. The Children went home very happy was a terrible view not to go on your chocolate eating rampage this year. Are Samantha. No, actually, it wasn't said Nanny begins with a smile while eating chocolate is my very favourite thing to do in the entire world. Blast in things Out of cannons comes a very close second. But as Nanny Pickens pushed open their front gate, they were greeted by a wonderful sight. The front lawn and indeed, the whole house and back garden as well, were littered with Easter eggs. The body has been squealed, Boris excitedly. Don't be silly, said Nanny Pickens. It must be those nice ghosts rewarding me for my improved behaviour. Now the Children realised it was more likely that these were simply some of the eggs that they had themselves blasted out of the cannon. But they didn't say anything because Nanny Pickens behaviour had improved and she deserved a treat. Nanny begins, Borrows The Children took off happily running about the garden grabbing eggs and eating them, sometimes without even removing the foil. The end. Thank you for listening to the special Easter podcast. If you've enjoyed it and want to support the podcast, then just go to your local bookstore or favourite online bookseller on by a book by May are a sprite. That's until next time, Goodbye for now.

R.A. Spratt:   0:00
Don't you just love Easter being 90 begins? As faras holidays go, it's got everything going for it. Fresh flowers, ostentatious hats and, of course, chocolate. Nanny, begin smiled and even bigger smile before skipping happily towards the kitchen. Yes, Easter, said Derek. Lovely set. Samantha couldn't be nicer, said Michael. Always a favourite, said Boris. Once the door swung shut, the Children huddled around Boris to talk tactics. Right? What are we going to do? Ask Boris. We tried locking her in the cellar last year, and that didn't work, said Michael. We should have seen it coming, said Samantha, shaking her head. We all know how good years air tunnelling we could lock her in the attic, suggested Derek. She's a flying pig! Exclaimed Boris she isn't going to let a little thing like a double brick wall and an eight metre drop keeper from the biggest chocolate eating day of the year. What have we locked her in? A safe first, suggested Samantha. Then lock the safe in the attic. That's no good, said Boris. My sister could get out of a safe faster than you can get out of a pair of leather trousers. Takes quite a long time to get out of a pair of leather trousers, said Derek. He knew this because he'd had an English teacher who made him play an Austrian goat herder, wherein later housing in the school. Pantomime. My point exactly, said Boris. We can't just let her run loose like she did last year, said Samantha. She scared Children. She scared adults, said Derek. And she made the police side and cry, added Boris, and she ate so much chocolate. She was in a sugar induced coma for three days, added Michael. Why don't we tried reasoning with her? Suggested Samantha scoff Boris being Russian, who's very good at making these sorts of guttural noises, she'd never listened to reason arguments when she could be eating a chocolate egg. The Children had to nod sadly at the truth of this. If only there was some way we could show Nanny Pickens the effect she has on other people when she rampages through the neighbourhood wildly gobbling chocolate, said Michael, I've got it, exclaimed Eric. Got what? Ask Boris, not lice. I hope it's all right for you humans, because you've only got hair on your heads. But when you're a bear with lice, scratching is a full time job. No, I've got an idea for how we can help Nanny Pickens. Does it involve a blowgun and elephant tranquillisers as Michael? No. Although perhaps we should have those on standby in case my plan doesn't work, said Derek. What's your idea or Samantha? Well, said Derek, we've been reading Charles Dickins at school. Oh, you poor boy! Sympathise Boris, wrapping Derek in a big bear, Hoke. Why did you say so earlier? Dickins writes such horribly thick books with such difficult big words. Now wonder. You've been looking one lately. Know what I mean is we've been reading a Christmas carol, said Derek through a mouthful of Boris's for the storey of Scrooge. Oh, that's not such a bad book, said Boris, that in Derek Go, it's much shorter than the others, and it's got ghosts in it, so it's very exciting. That's right, Sir Derek on the ghosts. Come to Scrooge in the night and show him how awful his behaviour is it Christmas? So we should do the same thing for Nanny Pickens, said Michael. Catching on. We could use Ghost to shown any Pickens what Easter behaviour is like. But where are we going to find three ghosts? Ask Boris. I only know one, and he isn't very agreeable. All he ever says is Boo or we'll be the ghosts, announced Derek. Boris grabbed Derek and hugged him again. Almost but not quite breaking all his ribs. I admit that my sister's Easter excesses need to be stopped, but I will absolutely not allow you to jump in front of a bus just so you could become a ghost, a re enact operable from 19th century literature. It's all right, Boris Quick Derek. It's hard to talk when your diaphragms being crushed. I only meant we could pretend to be ghosts all, said Boris. That's a much better idea. When Nanny begins, went to bed that night. She was delirious with excitement. She loved Easter so much normally when she was that excited, she could not sleep it all. But on this occasion, she been excited all week. So after five nights of giddy anticipation, Nanny Pickens fell into a deep sleep. A Sooners, her head touched the pillow. Now, at this point, I should take a moment to explain. Nanny begins annual about off uncharacteristically selfish behaviour. As anybody who has read in any Pickens adventures knows, she was usually a very generous soul, even though she loved cake with every fibre of her being. She still has a point of principle, always, always, always shared. But Easter was her one blind spot. She could not wrap her mind around the concept that a chocolate egg hidden in someone else's garden in a street and suburb miles away from her own home was not put there for her. As far as she was concerned, any chocolate left unattended in an open area was free game. As a result, she always a dangerous amounts of confectionery. On Easter Day on, a lot of Children have very sad Easter's, where they found no eggs were left thinking that the Easter Bunny had been very cruel in hiding his chocolate eggs in extraordinarily difficult locations. I know it does not sound logical, but in Nanny Pickens defence, it's hard to feel logical when you've eaten seven times your own body weight in chocolate. Now back to the storey, Nanny Pickens had been asleep for some time. When the window rattled, Boris was standing outside on the ladder, pretended to be a spooky wind by shaking the window frame. Next, a moaning sound came from outside the door. Michael was pretended to be a ghost by reenacting the sounds he made after last Easter stomachache. Then smoke rolled in under the doorway. Derek was pretending to be an eerie fog by standing outside the door with a pop up toaster, purposely burning toast. Then, among the rattling, moaning and smoke, Samantha made her dramatic entrance. She was wrapped from head to foot in gold tinsel on where in Mrs Simpson's wedding dress. Mrs. Simpson had actually agreed to this because she was so shocked when they asked. Nanny Pickens usually just took things and gave sorry gifts later, well, said Samantha, dramatically as she rolled into Nanny Pickens bedroom on a skateboard. You couldn't see the skateboard because the skirt of the wedding dress was so long it looked like Samantha was floating into the room. Sadly, the spectacular cacophony of home made special effects was wasted on Nanny Pickens, who continued to sleep soundly. Well, Ah, well, Samantha, even more loudly, but her nanny did not stir. She's not waking up Samat the history Derek and Michael in the hallway. Try this, Sir Derek as he put down his toaster on passing that the chocolate bar, Samantha lean forward and held the chocolate bar over the bed. Then, ever so gently rustled, the rapper Nanny Pickens immediately sprang. Bolt upright. Give me the chocolate! She demanded. Samantha put the chocolate bar back in her pocket. Surprisingly, Mrs Simpson's wedding dress did have pockets because Mrs Simpson or Miss Paris, as she was known at the time, knew that speeches at wedding receptions could be very dull. So she wanted to have a novel on hand for secretly reading under the table. I am the ghost of Easter passed, announced Samantha grandly. Really said Nanny begins because you're the spittin image of the little girl. I look after. Have you met her? Her name's Samantha, Samantha decided, was best to ignore her nanny's insightful comment. I am here to show you the easterners that have Bean, she declared. Calm with me. Then he begins. Scaled. Samantha realised what a nanny was thinking and corrected herself. Please come with me. All right, then, certainly begin smiling and jumping out of bed, but will have to be quick. I need my Easter sleep. I've got a big day of eating tomorrow. Nanny Pickens led Samantha downstairs. She had to get off the skateboard when she got to the staircase because she didn't want to break a neck or tear Mrs Simpson's wedding dress. Then she took many Pickens into the living room where the UN tune television had been switched on. The black and white pixelated screen hummed and crackled. Could, he said, Nanny begins. Are we going to watch TV? Because I haven't had a chance to watch the episode of the young and the irritable that I taped earlier today. I'm dying to find out if Bethany's eyepatch surgery was successful. No, we're going to watch home movies off your easters past in tone. Samantha with a CZ. Much gravitas is she could muster so you can see what you have done. A video crackled onto the screen. Michel was operating the remote from behind the sofa. The video showed Nanny Pickens, a year earlier, looking fabulous but not behaving in the most dignified way. More more bellow the on screen, and he begins as she ran around a stranger's backyard, grabbing chocolate and chopping it up. Wow, marvelled Nanny Pickens. I think my athleticism when I'm Easter egg hunting rivals even my athleticism when I'm being blasted out of a cannon. Keep watching, instructed Samantha sternly on the video. Nanny Pickens was 18. More and more and more chocolate. It was becoming smeared all over her face hair and Easter bonnet. Oh dear said any begins. Milk Chocolate goes with almost everything, but it does not look particularly flattering. With a floral dress. The camera panned across to show two small Children crying. What's wrong with those Children? Asked. Nanny begins. Why are they crying? You ate their Easter eggs, explained Samantha, still in her ghost of Easter passed voice. Very stirrings questioned. Any begins, they were hidden in their garden. At it. Samantha, then Why did they find them and eat their mass? Nanny Pickens, genuinely puzzled because Children aren't allowed to get up a three o'clock in the morning and go running around in the dark, explained Samantha. They're not exclaimed. Any pigeons. I always let Derek, Samantha, Michael do that if they want to. Most parents make their Children wait a least until daylight before they start their Easter egg. Hunt said Samantha really asked many Pickens, those poor Children. I just assumed that all those eggs have been abandoned by Siri's of people who would suddenly on unexpectedly been diagnosed with diabetes. Now you know what you have done, said Samantha. Sounding is authoritative and dramatic. Is she could You may return to bed since we're up. How about we watch the young and irritable anyway? Suggested many Pickens. No, you must return to bad, said Samantha family. 20 minutes later, Nanny Pickens was again in a deep sleep boroughs, and the Children had given up. Trying to Wake Nanny begins with ghost effects. So Michael dressed up in Mr Green's bed sheet. They had sent Mr Greene to bed on a bare mattress, explaining that his sheets had been confiscated by the dirty laundry police on organisation that doesn't exist, but certainly should. Michael marched in and prodded. Nanny begins with a fire poker while Gillian wake up, Nanny begin stirred. Does she wants something? She asked, appearing at Michael with bleary eyes. I am the ghost of Easter present, announced. Michael. Present exclaimed. Any Pickens? You giving me a present? How lovely. I thought that only happened at Christmas. I do love presents. They're almost as good as Easter eggs. There will be no presence. The glad Michael before his nanny could get carried away with that idea. That's a shame, said many begin. So curly. I am here to show you what you will do this Easter in tone to Michael. Lots of chocolate as many Pickens excitedly. Oh, yes, said Michael. That is the problem. How can eating chocolate ever be a problem? Puzzled, many begins, watch and learn instructed Michael mysteriously. Just then the doors of nanny begins. Walk in wardrobe magically swung open. It wasn't really magic. Derek did it with a length of fishing line, but it looked magical. Inside the wardrobe, which had been lit up like a Broadway play, stood Mrs Hazeltine the chocolate ear from the finest chocolate shop in town. Nanny figures did not often visit this marvellous establishment because she found her chocolate dollar always went much further in the worst chocolate shop in town. But Nanny begin still held the Hazeltine chocolate Ori um, in the high regard it deserved, which is why it was so distressing for Nanny Pickens to see such an important person. Is Mrs Hazeltine loudly weeping? This is hassle time. What's wrong? As many pigeons. She can't hear you, said Michael. Why she forgot to turn a hearing aid on as many pigeons. She can't hear you because this hasn't happened yet, explained Michael. This is a vision of what will happen later on today. Oh, certainly begins not quite understanding and beginning to feel uncomfortable to be watching such a fine chocolate artist feeling so unhappy. Woe is May, declared Mrs Hessel Tine. Easter is usually my best time of the year, but all my customers are angry with me because someone bought all my chocolate, leaving none for anybody else but who would do such a thing as many pigeons. Alas, alack whaled Mrs Heseltine, who will be in a fine chocolate here was not a very good actor. I curse the day that the world's most glamorous pig set Trotta inside my store pick did it! Exclaimed Nanny Pickens wasn't one of my evil. Identical 14 applets. Sisters Oh, nanny pig gins. Oh, sob, Mrs Hazeltine, why did you have to ruin my business? It was, May exclaimed, Any pigeons? But where did I ever find that sort of money? You went on an Internet auction site, explained Michael in his ghost of Easter present. Voice on sold Father. I mean, Mr Green. What? Queried Nanny Pickens? Surely you mean I sold Mr Green's car on Mr Greene's stamp collection? No, said Michael firmly. You sold Mr Green, But who would buy him? Mass nanny begins? Apparently, Ah, Bavarian business tycoon needed a particularly large paperweight, explained Michael solemnly on He thought Mr Green would be perfect being heavy enough to hold down a large amount of papers, but beatable enough to get up and sit down again on new papers when told to. So last year, I ate all the chocolate before anyone else could eat any city. Any begins on this year, I'm going to buy all the chocolate before anybody else can buy it. Exactly, said Michael. Oh, dear, said, Nanny begins. It's a good job. I'm astonishingly beautiful or I'd be very unpopular. Half an hour later, Nanny Pickens was back in bed and drifted into a much less easy sleep. She was having dreams of weeping Children on stubborn chocolate stains. It would not come out, no matter how hard she scrubbed. This was when Derek entered Nanny begins. The work immediately assumes she heard the door hinges. Creak. What do you want? She asked. I am the ghost of Easter futures. A Derek throwing on a ghostly were for good measure. Oh, said many Figgins. Well, if it's all right with you, I'd rather go back to sleep. I don't particularly want to know what happens in my future. On any Pickens, lay back in bed and pull the covers up over her head. You must come with me to see the damage. You will dio mon, the ghost of Easter Future Derek Nanny begins side. I never realised ghost could be such terrible nags. She got out of bed and put on her slippers. If I have bags under my eyes tomorrow and I look anything less than fabulous, I will know who to blame. You're just lucky you want a corporeal beam, right? Give your shins a good hard bite. Nanny begins. Follow the ghost of Easter Future down to the kitchen. When she pushed over the doors, she saw Samantha, Michael and Boris slumped at the kitchen table wearing nothing but rags. What's wrong, Last Nanny Pickens. Why they huddling? Why do they look so sad? Oh, woe is May said Samantha. This must be the worst Easter ever. What happened? Nanny Pickens, ask The ghost of Easter passed, but Derek did not respond except a point at Boris, Samantha and Michael. What are we going to do now that our beloved nanny is in gaol? Wailed. Michael. I'm in gaol! Exclaimed. Any pigeons? What for? Cake rustling, tart napping, put in pinching. There's been no one to look after us. Ever since she's been imprisoned for Easter Egg. Embezzling moment. Samantha. What did I do? Ask many pigeons. It must have been bad. The police sergeant is usually so very kind about letting me off with warnings. What was she thinking? This bad Michael? Trying to divert the entire world supply of Easter eggs to our house. Now there is nothing. Teo wept, Boris. Oh, except he broke down too loud. Sobs. Oh, nothing, Teo eight except vegetables do. Boris picked up a ladleful of grey green gloopy mess scream nanny pigeons at this horrible sight, the Children cried harder. Nanny Pickens ran from the room and back up the stairs to a bedroom, where she jumped into bed and pull the covers over her head. I can't let it happen. I can't let it happen, she muttered furtively as she finally collapsed into a troubled slumber. The next morning, Nanny begins. Alarm went off for 50 AM sharp. This was late for nanny peons. She usually got up 1 45 AM on Easter morning, but of visitors of the night and cause it to oversleep. Nanny Pickens leapt out of bed and hurried over to the window, where she threw up the sash and leaned outside. It was still half dark, so there was no bee about except an early morning jogger. Yeah, they're called Nanny Pickens. The jogger did not here because he was wearing earphones. You there? She called again, this time throwing a hairbrush at the back of the judge's head to get his attention. How? What? Asked the jogger turning around and rubbing his sore head. What day is it? Asked. Nanny begins Sunday, said the jogger. Is it Easter Sunday? Asked many. Pickens. Yes, said the jogger, cried 90 Pickens. Then. I haven't missed it. Can I keep jogging now? Ask the jogger. No, said Nanny Pickens. Here, take Mr Greene's credit card. She said she threw the credit card down to him on Goto. Hazel steals chocolate Oh, Reum and buy all the stock, but I want to go home, complained the jogger. Do I have to come down there? Glowered Nanny Pickens, swinging her leg of the window frame. Ready to do just that? No, said the jogger, surprisingly intimidated by the diminutive pig. Then do as I say instructed. Nanny begins. The jogger turned and walked in the direction of the town centre. You're a jogger, right? You called Nanny Pickens, So job. Come on, move it. Nanny Pickens ran downstairs to the living room. The Children was still up there, not bother going to bed after their three act ghost performance. They thought it best to brace themselves for the onslaught. What are you doing? Nanny begins our Samantha, What's going on? I'm buying up all the chocolate in town, declared many pigeons proudly, Ono said. Michael. But this is exactly the opposite what our plan was supposed to achieve, said Derek. I blame Dickins, said Boris. Sadly, anyone who takes 700 pages to tell a Storey about an orphan only to sit down and write another 700 page storey about another orphan obviously has a screw loose Children. I have a secret to reveal, said Nanny Pickens, excitedly ignoring the strange conversation she didn't understand. Please say you've invented a time machine so we can go back to tomorrow. Big Michael know better than that beam nanny begins. You know, I've been making your father park his Rolls Royce in the street all month. Yes, at the Children warily. Well, I was telling him a fib, said Nanny Pickens. Rolls Royces don't need fresh air to clean the catalytic converters. Then why did you make him move his car? Are Samantha? I've bean storing something in the garret, said Nanny Pickens with a twinkle in her eye. Let me show you. She led them to the carriage and threw open the door. But Boris and the Children could not see inside the carriage because flush with the door frame was a wall off Easter eggs off all different sizes and varieties. Dark chocolate milk chocolate honey comb. Studied chocolate on chocolate filled with chocolate bits. Please tell me you've simply build a wall of chocolate. Big Samantha. No said 90 begins. Every inch of the carriage is entirely filled with Easter eggs, nanny pagans and Derek sadly shaking his head. What have you done? I've bean stockpiling them since Boxing Day, when Easter eggs first came into the shops, explained nanny pigeons, which wasn't easy. You know what I'm like with chocolate? I kept eating the stockpile and then having to start stockpiling again. But why did you do it? Ask Michael, Don't you get enough chocolate in your day to day life? You do eat chocolate nine times a day before, after and instead ofthe every meal at a Derek, you can never have enough chocolate child in any pickens. I need to keep my energy up for my active lifestyle. The Children could not deny that their nanny led an active lifestyle. Well, I suppose this Easter will be just like last year, then site Samantha. We won't see you till tonight and then you'll come home chocolate stained and delirious with overeating, only to collapse in the middle of the kitchen floor. Well, that's where you're wrong, said Nanny Pickens proudly. Last night I was visited by three ghosts. You were as the Children with mock innocence. Yes, and these ghosts have obviously been reading. Charles Dickins said 90 Pickens, because they came to teach me a lesson about Easter. Did it work? Ask Derek. Hopefully, absolutely, said Nanny Pickens Island. That Easter is not about 18 as much chocolate as you can until you're sick. It is an ask Boris. Well, he did not approve of how much talk of his sister. Eight. He'd always assumed that this was exactly the reason for the holiday, Easter announced Many. Pickens is about sharing chocolate with others until they are sick. The Children frowned as they thought about this. I suppose that is an improvement on your attitude from last year. Concede that Samantha, But why did you make that jogger going by all the chocolate from Hessel? Stein's asked Derek on why you showing us your stockpile, asked Michael, because I've had a brilliant idea, said Nanny Pickens with a big smile. An hour later, nanny begins. Boris and the Children were standing outside the town hall in the middle of the city centre. Parked alongside them was a big truck from Hazel Stynes. On Alongside that was a removal ISS truck that Nanny Pickens had hired to transport all the Easter eggs from Mr Green's carriage. What do we do in here as Michael? I'm going to orchestrate the biggest Easter egg hunt ever, said Nanny begins proudly. How ask Derek, Have you trying to flock of Easter bunnies to hide them for you? Ask Boris. No, said Nanny Pickens. Rabbits are OK, but if you want to distribute something much quicker and in every direction, I know a much better method. What are you talking about? Us. Michael Cannon, Vier said. Nanny Pickens. Look, here it comes. Now the Children Boris turn to see Rosalind, the bearded lady from the circus. Dr. Nanny begins old cannon into the town square, and so nanny begins. Boris and the Children spent Easter morning loading the cannon up on blast in eggs into the sky time and time again on the Children of the town awoke to the greatest Easter gift ever. The sight of chocolate eggs rain in from the heavens. Nanny Pickens borrows. The Children went home very happy was a terrible view not to go on your chocolate eating rampage this year. Are Samantha. No, actually, it wasn't said Nanny begins with a smile while eating chocolate is my very favourite thing to do in the entire world. Blast in things Out of cannons comes a very close second. But as Nanny Pickens pushed open their front gate, they were greeted by a wonderful sight. The front lawn and indeed, the whole house and back garden as well, were littered with Easter eggs. The body has been squealed, Boris excitedly. Don't be silly, said Nanny Pickens. It must be those nice ghosts rewarding me for my improved behaviour. Now the Children realised it was more likely that these were simply some of the eggs that they had themselves blasted out of the cannon. But they didn't say anything because Nanny Pickens behaviour had improved and she deserved a treat. Nanny begins, Borrows The Children took off happily running about the garden grabbing eggs and eating them, sometimes without even removing the foil. The end. Thank you for listening to the special Easter podcast. If you've enjoyed it and want to support the podcast, then just go to your local bookstore or favourite online bookseller on by a book by May are a sprite. That's until next time, Goodbye for now.

R.A. Spratt:   25:01
All right, here we go. Don't you just love Easter being 90 begins? As faras holidays go, it's got everything going for it. Fresh flowers, ostentatious hats and, of course, chocolate. Nanny, begin smiled and even bigger smile before skipping happily towards the kitchen. Yes, Easter, said Derek. Lovely set. Samantha couldn't be nicer, said Michael. Always a favourite, said Boris. Once the door swung shut, the Children huddled around Boris to talk tactics. Right? What are we going to do? Ask Boris. We tried locking her in the cellar last year, and that didn't work, said Michael. We should have seen it coming, said Samantha, shaking her head. We all know how good years air tunnelling we could lock her in the attic, suggested Derek. She's a flying pig! Exclaimed Boris she isn't going to let a little thing like a double brick wall and an eight metre drop keeper from the biggest chocolate eating day of the year. What have we locked her in? A safe first, suggested Samantha. Then lock the safe in the attic. That's no good, said Boris. My sister could get out of a safe faster than you can get out of a pair of leather trousers. Takes quite a long time to get out of a pair of leather trousers, said Derek. He knew this because he'd had an English teacher who made him play an Austrian goat herder, wherein later housing in the school. Pantomime. My point exactly, said Boris. We can't just let her run loose like she did last year, said Samantha. She scared Children. She scared adults, said Derek. And she made the police side and cry, added Boris, and she ate so much chocolate. She was in a sugar induced coma for three days, added Michael. Why don't we tried reasoning with her? Suggested Samantha scoff Boris being Russian, who's very good at making these sorts of guttural noises, she'd never listened to reason arguments when she could be eating a chocolate egg. The Children had to nod sadly at the truth of this. If only there was some way we could show Nanny Pickens the effect she has on other people when she rampages through the neighbourhood wildly gobbling chocolate, said Michael, I've got it, exclaimed Eric. Got what? Ask Boris, not lice. I hope it's all right for you humans, because you've only got hair on your heads. But when you're a bear with lice, scratching is a full time job. No, I've got an idea for how we can help Nanny Pickens. Does it involve a blowgun and elephant tranquillisers as Michael? No. Although perhaps we should have those on standby in case my plan doesn't work, said Derek. What's your idea or Samantha? Well, said Derek, we've been reading Charles Dickins at school. Oh, you poor boy! Sympathise Boris, wrapping Derek in a big bear, Hoke. Why did you say so earlier? Dickins writes such horribly thick books with such difficult big words. Now wonder. You've been looking one lately. Know what I mean is we've been reading a Christmas carol, said Derek through a mouthful of Boris's for the storey of Scrooge. Oh, that's not such a bad book, said Boris, that in Derek Go, it's much shorter than the others, and it's got ghosts in it, so it's very exciting. That's right, Sir Derek on the ghosts. Come to Scrooge in the night and show him how awful his behaviour is it Christmas? So we should do the same thing for Nanny Pickens, said Michael. Catching on. We could use Ghost to shown any Pickens what Easter behaviour is like. But where are we going to find three ghosts? Ask Boris. I only know one, and he isn't very agreeable. All he ever says is Boo or we'll be the ghosts, announced Derek. Boris grabbed Derek and hugged him again. Almost but not quite breaking all his ribs. I admit that my sister's Easter excesses need to be stopped, but I will absolutely not allow you to jump in front of a bus just so you could become a ghost, a re enact operable from 19th century literature. It's all right, Boris Quick Derek. It's hard to talk when your diaphragms being crushed. I only meant we could pretend to be ghosts all, said Boris. That's a much better idea. When Nanny begins, went to bed that night. She was delirious with excitement. She loved Easter so much normally when she was that excited, she could not sleep it all. But on this occasion, she been excited all week. So after five nights of giddy anticipation, Nanny Pickens fell into a deep sleep. A Sooners, her head touched the pillow. Now, at this point, I should take a moment to explain. Nanny begins annual about off uncharacteristically selfish behaviour. As anybody who has read in any Pickens adventures knows, she was usually a very generous soul, even though she loved cake with every fibre of her being. She still has a point of principle, always, always, always shared. But Easter was her one blind spot. She could not wrap her mind around the concept that a chocolate egg hidden in someone else's garden in a street and suburb miles away from her own home was not put there for her. As far as she was concerned, any chocolate left unattended in an open area was free game. As a result, she always a dangerous amounts of confectionery. On Easter Day on, a lot of Children have very sad Easter's, where they found no eggs were left thinking that the Easter Bunny had been very cruel in hiding his chocolate eggs in extraordinarily difficult locations. I know it does not sound logical, but in Nanny Pickens defence, it's hard to feel logical when you've eaten seven times your own body weight in chocolate. Now back to the storey, Nanny Pickens had been asleep for some time. When the window rattled, Boris was standing outside on the ladder, pretended to be a spooky wind by shaking the window frame. Next, a moaning sound came from outside the door. Michael was pretended to be a ghost by reenacting the sounds he made after last Easter stomachache. Then smoke rolled in under the doorway. Derek was pretending to be an eerie fog by standing outside the door with a pop up toaster, purposely burning toast. Then, among the rattling, moaning and smoke, Samantha made her dramatic entrance. She was wrapped from head to foot in gold tinsel on where in Mrs Simpson's wedding dress. Mrs. Simpson had actually agreed to this because she was so shocked when they asked. Nanny Pickens usually just took things and gave sorry gifts later, well, said Samantha, dramatically as she rolled into Nanny Pickens bedroom on a skateboard. You couldn't see the skateboard because the skirt of the wedding dress was so long it looked like Samantha was floating into the room. Sadly, the spectacular cacophony of home made special effects was wasted on Nanny Pickens, who continued to sleep soundly. Well, Ah, well, Samantha, even more loudly, but her nanny did not stir. She's not waking up Samat the history Derek and Michael in the hallway. Try this, Sir Derek as he put down his toaster on passing that the chocolate bar, Samantha lean forward and held the chocolate bar over the bed. Then, ever so gently rustled, the rapper Nanny Pickens immediately sprang. Bolt upright. Give me the chocolate! She demanded. Samantha put the chocolate bar back in her pocket. Surprisingly, Mrs Simpson's wedding dress did have pockets because Mrs Simpson or Miss Paris, as she was known at the time, knew that speeches at wedding receptions could be very dull. So she wanted to have a novel on hand for secretly reading under the table. I am the ghost of Easter passed, announced Samantha grandly. Really said Nanny begins because you're the spittin image of the little girl. I look after. Have you met her? Her name's Samantha, Samantha decided, was best to ignore her nanny's insightful comment. I am here to show you the easterners that have Bean, she declared. Calm with me. Then he begins. Scaled. Samantha realised what a nanny was thinking and corrected herself. Please come with me. All right, then, certainly begin smiling and jumping out of bed, but will have to be quick. I need my Easter sleep. I've got a big day of eating tomorrow. Nanny Pickens led Samantha downstairs. She had to get off the skateboard when she got to the staircase because she didn't want to break a neck or tear Mrs Simpson's wedding dress. Then she took many Pickens into the living room where the UN tune television had been switched on. The black and white pixelated screen hummed and crackled. Could, he said, Nanny begins. Are we going to watch TV? Because I haven't had a chance to watch the episode of the young and the irritable that I taped earlier today. I'm dying to find out if Bethany's eyepatch surgery was successful. No, we're going to watch home movies off your easters past in tone. Samantha with a CZ. Much gravitas is she could muster so you can see what you have done. A video crackled onto the screen. Michel was operating the remote from behind the sofa. The video showed Nanny Pickens, a year earlier, looking fabulous but not behaving in the most dignified way. More more bellow the on screen, and he begins as she ran around a stranger's backyard, grabbing chocolate and chopping it up. Wow, marvelled Nanny Pickens. I think my athleticism when I'm Easter egg hunting rivals even my athleticism when I'm being blasted out of a cannon. Keep watching, instructed Samantha sternly on the video. Nanny Pickens was 18. More and more and more chocolate. It was becoming smeared all over her face hair and Easter bonnet. Oh dear said any begins. Milk Chocolate goes with almost everything, but it does not look particularly flattering. With a floral dress. The camera panned across to show two small Children crying. What's wrong with those Children? Asked. Nanny begins. Why are they crying? You ate their Easter eggs, explained Samantha, still in her ghost of Easter passed voice. Very stirrings questioned. Any begins, they were hidden in their garden. At it. Samantha, then Why did they find them and eat their mass? Nanny Pickens, genuinely puzzled because Children aren't allowed to get up a three o'clock in the morning and go running around in the dark, explained Samantha. They're not exclaimed. Any pigeons. I always let Derek, Samantha, Michael do that if they want to. Most parents make their Children wait a least until daylight before they start their Easter egg. Hunt said Samantha really asked many Pickens, those poor Children. I just assumed that all those eggs have been abandoned by Siri's of people who would suddenly on unexpectedly been diagnosed with diabetes. Now you know what you have done, said Samantha. Sounding is authoritative and dramatic. Is she could You may return to bed since we're up. How about we watch the young and irritable anyway? Suggested many Pickens. No, you must return to bad, said Samantha family. 20 minutes later, Nanny Pickens was again in a deep sleep boroughs, and the Children had given up. Trying to Wake Nanny begins with ghost effects. So Michael dressed up in Mr Green's bed sheet. They had sent Mr Greene to bed on a bare mattress, explaining that his sheets had been confiscated by the dirty laundry police on organisation that doesn't exist, but certainly should. Michael marched in and prodded. Nanny begins with a fire poker while Gillian wake up, Nanny begin stirred. Does she wants something? She asked, appearing at Michael with bleary eyes. I am the ghost of Easter present, announced. Michael. Present exclaimed. Any Pickens? You giving me a present? How lovely. I thought that only happened at Christmas. I do love presents. They're almost as good as Easter eggs. There will be no presence. The glad Michael before his nanny could get carried away with that idea. That's a shame, said many begin. So curly. I am here to show you what you will do this Easter in tone to Michael. Lots of chocolate as many Pickens excitedly. Oh, yes, said Michael. That is the problem. How can eating chocolate ever be a problem? Puzzled, many begins, watch and learn instructed Michael mysteriously. Just then the doors of nanny begins. Walk in wardrobe magically swung open. It wasn't really magic. Derek did it with a length of fishing line, but it looked magical. Inside the wardrobe, which had been lit up like a Broadway play, stood Mrs Hazeltine the chocolate ear from the finest chocolate shop in town. Nanny figures did not often visit this marvellous establishment because she found her chocolate dollar always went much further in the worst chocolate shop in town. But Nanny begin still held the Hazeltine chocolate Ori um, in the high regard it deserved, which is why it was so distressing for Nanny Pickens to see such an important person. Is Mrs Hazeltine loudly weeping? This is hassle time. What's wrong? As many pigeons. She can't hear you, said Michael. Why she forgot to turn a hearing aid on as many pigeons. She can't hear you because this hasn't happened yet, explained Michael. This is a vision of what will happen later on today. Oh, certainly begins not quite understanding and beginning to feel uncomfortable to be watching such a fine chocolate artist feeling so unhappy. Woe is May, declared Mrs Hessel Tine. Easter is usually my best time of the year, but all my customers are angry with me because someone bought all my chocolate, leaving none for anybody else but who would do such a thing as many pigeons. Alas, alack whaled Mrs Heseltine, who will be in a fine chocolate here was not a very good actor. I curse the day that the world's most glamorous pig set Trotta inside my store pick did it! Exclaimed Nanny Pickens wasn't one of my evil. Identical 14 applets. Sisters Oh, nanny pig gins. Oh, sob, Mrs Hazeltine, why did you have to ruin my business? It was, May exclaimed, Any pigeons? But where did I ever find that sort of money? You went on an Internet auction site, explained Michael in his ghost of Easter present. Voice on sold Father. I mean, Mr Green. What? Queried Nanny Pickens? Surely you mean I sold Mr Green's car on Mr Greene's stamp collection? No, said Michael firmly. You sold Mr Green, But who would buy him? Mass nanny begins? Apparently, Ah, Bavarian business tycoon needed a particularly large paperweight, explained Michael solemnly on He thought Mr Green would be perfect being heavy enough to hold down a large amount of papers, but beatable enough to get up and sit down again on new papers when told to. So last year, I ate all the chocolate before anyone else could eat any city. Any begins on this year, I'm going to buy all the chocolate before anybody else can buy it. Exactly, said Michael. Oh, dear, said, Nanny begins. It's a good job. I'm astonishingly beautiful or I'd be very unpopular. Half an hour later, Nanny Pickens was back in bed and drifted into a much less easy sleep. She was having dreams of weeping Children on stubborn chocolate stains. It would not come out, no matter how hard she scrubbed. This was when Derek entered Nanny begins. The work immediately assumes she heard the door hinges. Creak. What do you want? She asked. I am the ghost of Easter futures. A Derek throwing on a ghostly were for good measure. Oh, said many Figgins. Well, if it's all right with you, I'd rather go back to sleep. I don't particularly want to know what happens in my future. On any Pickens, lay back in bed and pull the covers up over her head. You must come with me to see the damage. You will dio mon, the ghost of Easter Future Derek Nanny begins side. I never realised ghost could be such terrible nags. She got out of bed and put on her slippers. If I have bags under my eyes tomorrow and I look anything less than fabulous, I will know who to blame. You're just lucky you want a corporeal beam, right? Give your shins a good hard bite. Nanny begins. Follow the ghost of Easter Future down to the kitchen. When she pushed over the doors, she saw Samantha, Michael and Boris slumped at the kitchen table wearing nothing but rags. What's wrong, Last Nanny Pickens. Why they huddling? Why do they look so sad? Oh, woe is May said Samantha. This must be the worst Easter ever. What happened? Nanny Pickens, ask The ghost of Easter passed, but Derek did not respond except a point at Boris, Samantha and Michael. What are we going to do now that our beloved nanny is in gaol? Wailed. Michael. I'm in gaol! Exclaimed. Any pigeons? What for? Cake rustling, tart napping, put in pinching. There's been no one to look after us. Ever since she's been imprisoned for Easter Egg. Embezzling moment. Samantha. What did I do? Ask many pigeons. It must have been bad. The police sergeant is usually so very kind about letting me off with warnings. What was she thinking? This bad Michael? Trying to divert the entire world supply of Easter eggs to our house. Now there is nothing. Teo wept, Boris. Oh, except he broke down too loud. Sobs. Oh, nothing, Teo eight except vegetables do. Boris picked up a ladleful of grey green gloopy mess scream nanny pigeons at this horrible sight, the Children cried harder. Nanny Pickens ran from the room and back up the stairs to a bedroom, where she jumped into bed and pull the covers over her head. I can't let it happen. I can't let it happen, she muttered furtively as she finally collapsed into a troubled slumber. The next morning, Nanny begins. Alarm went off for 50 AM sharp. This was late for nanny peons. She usually got up 1 45 AM on Easter morning, but of visitors of the night and cause it to oversleep. Nanny Pickens leapt out of bed and hurried over to the window, where she threw up the sash and leaned outside. It was still half dark, so there was no bee about except an early morning jogger. Yeah, they're called Nanny Pickens. The jogger did not here because he was wearing earphones. You there? She called again, this time throwing a hairbrush at the back of the judge's head to get his attention. How? What? Asked the jogger turning around and rubbing his sore head. What day is it? Asked. Nanny begins Sunday, said the jogger. Is it Easter Sunday? Asked many. Pickens. Yes, said the jogger, cried 90 Pickens. Then. I haven't missed it. Can I keep jogging now? Ask the jogger. No, said Nanny Pickens. Here, take Mr Greene's credit card. She said she threw the credit card down to him on Goto. Hazel steals chocolate Oh, Reum and buy all the stock, but I want to go home, complained the jogger. Do I have to come down there? Glowered Nanny Pickens, swinging her leg of the window frame. Ready to do just that? No, said the jogger, surprisingly intimidated by the diminutive pig. Then do as I say instructed. Nanny begins. The jogger turned and walked in the direction of the town centre. You're a jogger, right? You called Nanny Pickens, So job. Come on, move it. Nanny Pickens ran downstairs to the living room. The Children was still up there, not bother going to bed after their three act ghost performance. They thought it best to brace themselves for the onslaught. What are you doing? Nanny begins our Samantha, What's going on? I'm buying up all the chocolate in town, declared many pigeons proudly, Ono said. Michael. But this is exactly the opposite what our plan was supposed to achieve, said Derek. I blame Dickins, said Boris. Sadly, anyone who takes 700 pages to tell a Storey about an orphan only to sit down and write another 700 page storey about another orphan obviously has a screw loose Children. I have a secret to reveal, said Nanny Pickens, excitedly ignoring the strange conversation she didn't understand. Please say you've invented a time machine so we can go back to tomorrow. Big Michael know better than that beam nanny begins. You know, I've been making your father park his Rolls Royce in the street all month. Yes, at the Children warily. Well, I was telling him a fib, said Nanny Pickens. Rolls Royces don't need fresh air to clean the catalytic converters. Then why did you make him move his car? Are Samantha? I've bean storing something in the garret, said Nanny Pickens with a twinkle in her eye. Let me show you. She led them to the carriage and threw open the door. But Boris and the Children could not see inside the carriage because flush with the door frame was a wall off Easter eggs off all different sizes and varieties. Dark chocolate milk chocolate honey comb. Studied chocolate on chocolate filled with chocolate bits. Please tell me you've simply build a wall of chocolate. Big Samantha. No said 90 begins. Every inch of the carriage is entirely filled with Easter eggs, nanny pagans and Derek sadly shaking his head. What have you done? I've bean stockpiling them since Boxing Day, when Easter eggs first came into the shops, explained nanny pigeons, which wasn't easy. You know what I'm like with chocolate? I kept eating the stockpile and then having to start stockpiling again. But why did you do it? Ask Michael, Don't you get enough chocolate in your day to day life? You do eat chocolate nine times a day before, after and instead ofthe every meal at a Derek, you can never have enough chocolate child in any pickens. I need to keep my energy up for my active lifestyle. The Children could not deny that their nanny led an active lifestyle. Well, I suppose this Easter will be just like last year, then site Samantha. We won't see you till tonight and then you'll come home chocolate stained and delirious with overeating, only to collapse in the middle of the kitchen floor. Well, that's where you're wrong, said Nanny Pickens proudly. Last night I was visited by three ghosts. You were as the Children with mock innocence. Yes, and these ghosts have obviously been reading. Charles Dickins said 90 Pickens, because they came to teach me a lesson about Easter. Did it work? Ask Derek. Hopefully, absolutely, said Nanny Pickens Island. That Easter is not about 18 as much chocolate as you can until you're sick. It is an ask Boris. Well, he did not approve of how much talk of his sister. Eight. He'd always assumed that this was exactly the reason for the holiday, Easter announced Many. Pickens is about sharing chocolate with others until they are sick. The Children frowned as they thought about this. I suppose that is an improvement on your attitude from last year. Concede that Samantha, But why did you make that jogger going by all the chocolate from Hessel? Stein's asked Derek on why you showing us your stockpile, asked Michael, because I've had a brilliant idea, said Nanny Pickens with a big smile. An hour later, nanny begins. Boris and the Children were standing outside the town hall in the middle of the city centre. Parked alongside them was a big truck from Hazel Stynes. On Alongside that was a removal ISS truck that Nanny Pickens had hired to transport all the Easter eggs from Mr Green's carriage. What do we do in here as Michael? I'm going to orchestrate the biggest Easter egg hunt ever, said Nanny begins proudly. How ask Derek, Have you trying to flock of Easter bunnies to hide them for you? Ask Boris. No, said Nanny Pickens. Rabbits are OK, but if you want to distribute something much quicker and in every direction, I know a much better method. What are you talking about? Us. Michael Cannon, Vier said. Nanny Pickens. Look, here it comes. Now the Children Boris turn to see Rosalind, the bearded lady from the circus. Dr. Nanny begins old cannon into the town square, and so nanny begins. Boris and the Children spent Easter morning loading the cannon up on blast in eggs into the sky time and time again on the Children of the town awoke to the greatest Easter gift ever. The sight of chocolate eggs rain in from the heavens. Nanny Pickens borrows. The Children went home very happy was a terrible view not to go on your chocolate eating rampage this year. Are Samantha. No, actually, it wasn't said Nanny begins with a smile while eating chocolate is my very favourite thing to do in the entire world. Blast in things Out of cannons comes a very close second. But as Nanny Pickens pushed open their front gate, they were greeted by a wonderful sight. The front lawn and indeed, the whole house and back garden as well, were littered with Easter eggs. The body has been squealed, Boris excitedly. Don't be silly, said Nanny Pickens. It must be those nice ghosts rewarding me for my improved behaviour. Now the Children realised it was more likely that these were simply some of the eggs that they had themselves blasted out of the cannon. But they didn't say anything because Nanny Pickens behaviour had improved and she deserved a treat. Nanny begins, Borrows The Children took off happily running about the garden grabbing eggs and eating them, sometimes without even removing the foil. The end.     Thank you for listening to this special Easter podcast. If you've enjoyed it and want to support the podcast, then just go to your local bookstore or favourite online bookseller on by a book by me, R.A. Spratt. That's until next time, Goodbye for now.