Tiny Town: Oliver Waters – The Handy Neighbour

Welcome back to Tiny Town!

Very excited to be continuing on with this next instalment of  Tiny Town.  First, I want to say a heartfelt thank you to everyone who shared such kind words about last week’s story featuring Mandy and Ella. Your support truly means the world, and I hope you’ll enjoy this next adventure just as much!

This week, we’re shining a light on one of the town’s most reliable and beloved characters:  Oliver “Ollie” Waters, the handy neighbour everyone depends on.

In this story, Ollie sets out to solve a small but puzzling mystery in Tiny Town—proving once again that even the simplest of tasks can bring people (and animals!) together in unexpected ways.

So, grab a cosy spot and enjoy this second instalment of our hand-crafted short stories. I can’t wait to hear your thoughts!

Meet Oliver “Ollie” Waters – The Handy Neighbour

Ollie is a 50-something handyman who lives just down the lane from Mandy and Ella. Known for his cheerful disposition and ever-present toolbox, Ollie is the go-to guy for any home repairs in Tiny Town. Whether it’s fixing a leaky faucet or building a garden shed, Ollie’s always eager to lend a hand.

Despite his gruff, no-nonsense exterior, Ollie has a soft spot for the villagers, especially baby Joseph. He often stops by Lilac House with handmade wooden toys, carved in his workshop.

Quirk: Ollie has a habit of telling long-winded stories about “the old days,” when he used to travel across Europe fixing up old houses—stories no one knows if they are entirely true, but they’re always entertaining!

Ollie Waters and the Mystery of the Crooked Fence

It was an unusually quiet morning in Tiny Town. The birds were singing softly, and a gentle breeze rustled the leaves, but something felt off to Oliver “Ollie” Waters, the town’s reliable handyman. As he took his usual stroll down Rose Lane, he noticed something strange: the fence outside Liberty Rose Cottage—the one he had repaired just last month—was crooked.

Ollie scratched his head, frowning. “Well, that’s odd. I know I fixed that good and proper,” he muttered to himself.

Being the perfectionist that he was, Ollie wasn’t about to leave a crooked fence standing in Tiny Town. He was proud of his work, and every latch, nail, and plank mattered. Without a moment’s hesitation, he headed home to fetch his trusty toolbox.

The Investigation Begins

Ollie returned with his toolkit clinking at his side, ready to investigate. He stood in front of the cottage, eyeing the fence from different angles. “Mandy won’t like this one bit,” he thought.

Just then, Mandy stepped out of her cottage, baby Joseph balanced on her hip.

“Morning, Ollie!” she called out, her warm smile fading slightly as she followed his gaze to the fence. “Oh dear, not the fence again.”

“Morning, Mandy,” Ollie replied, tipping his cap. “I can’t figure it out. I fixed this just last month! But don’t you worry, I’ll have it straight in no time.”

Mandy chuckled. “I’m sure you will, Ollie. You always do.”

As she headed back inside with Joseph, Ollie got to work. But the more he inspected the fence, the more puzzled he became. The ground was level, the posts were still sturdy, and the wood was in perfect shape. He scratched his beard thoughtfully. “Something’s not right here,” he said under his breath.

A Mysterious Discovery

After a few minutes, Ollie heard a light rustling in the bushes. He peered over the crooked fence and caught a glimpse of something darting away—small and quick.

“Hmm…” Ollie mused. “What’s been snooping around here?”

Determined to solve the mystery, he knelt down to get a better look and discovered tiny bite marks along the bottom of the fence post. “Aha!” he exclaimed. “Looks like we’ve got ourselves a nibbling culprit.”

Just then, a small nose peeked out from behind a bush. It was Rosie the Rabbit, twitching her whiskers in curiosity.

“Rosie!” Ollie laughed. “I should’ve known. You’ve been using this fence as a snack, haven’t you?”

Rosie hopped out into view, her big eyes wide with innocence. “I didn’t mean to, Ollie!” she squeaked. “I was just nibbling on the soft wood. It tastes so nice, you know!”

Ollie chuckled, shaking his head. “Well, that explains the crooked fence, but you’re gonna have to find something else to nibble on, Rosie. We can’t have fences falling over all over town.”

Rosie twitched her nose apologetically. “I’m sorry, Ollie. I’ll be more careful.”

A Helping Paw

While Ollie had uncovered the mystery of the crooked fence, he now had another problem—how to fix it so Rosie wouldn’t be tempted to snack on it again. As he was considering his options, Baxter the Bear wandered down the lane, carrying a large basket of honey jars.

“Morning, Ollie!” Baxter rumbled in his deep voice. “What’s all the fuss about?”

Ollie explained the situation, and Baxter gave a slow nod, his furry brow furrowing thoughtfully. “You know, I’ve got some extra wooden planks up at my cabin. They’re a bit tougher—Rosie wouldn’t be able to chew through those.”

Ollie’s face lit up. “That might just do the trick! You wouldn’t mind helping me bring them down here, would you?”

“Not at all!” Baxter said with a grin. “Let me finish delivering these honey jars, and I’ll be right back.”

Teamwork in Tiny Town

With Baxter’s help, Ollie soon had a stack of thick, sturdy planks ready to reinforce the fence. As they worked, Rosie stayed nearby, watching with interest, her nose twitching but her teeth staying far away from the wood.

By the afternoon, the fence was fixed—stronger and straighter than ever. Mandy came out with baby Joseph to inspect Ollie’s work, smiling as she looked at the reinforced posts.

“That looks fantastic, Ollie. Thank you so much!” she said, bouncing Joseph gently in her arms. “And I take it Rosie will keep her teeth to herself from now on?”

Rosie gave a quick nod, looking a bit sheepish but relieved. “No more nibbling, I promise!”

Ollie grinned, wiping his brow. “Good thing we caught it before the whole fence came down. Between Baxter’s strong wood and Rosie’s promise, I think this fence is good to stay.”

A New Friendship

As the day came to a close, Ollie packed up his tools, feeling satisfied with a job well done. But more than that, he felt a deeper sense of connection with the Tiny Town community. It wasn’t just about fixing things for Ollie—it was about being part of something bigger, about helping his neighbours, human and animal alike, to keep their little world running smoothly.

As he walked back to his workshop, Baxter, Rosie, and Mandy waved him off, and Ollie couldn’t help but feel a warmth in his heart. In Tiny Town, even the smallest problems—like a crooked fence—could bring people (and animals) together in unexpected ways.

And as the sun set over the village, Ollie knew he’d always be ready to fix whatever came next.

The End… or Just the Beginning?

In Tiny Town, there’s always something to repair, a mystery to solve, or a neighbour to lend a hand to. And as long as Ollie Waters is around, the village will always be in good hands—whether the problem is big, small, or involves a mischievous rabbit with a taste for wood.

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