I try to watch the Girls bedtime routine, via camera, to see what the Littlees are up against. There is a very established bedtime routine, which is fine as long as everyone does what they are expected to do, when they are expected to do it.
Bedtime normally starts when Milly, the oldest and most spiteful hen, goes to bed. She's followed by Custard, who spends ages on the ladder before she goes in. Next we have Florence. During this time, Roobarb strolls around, and then sits on the doorway into their T of their run, brushing her teeth. She spends ages doing this.
Once the three hags have gone in, Tilda, my special needs chook, emerges from her hiding place, has something to eat. Roobarb eventually says goodnight and hops up the ladder and straight in. At this point, Tilda brushes her teeth, and then climbs the ladder herself. Sometimes the old witches let her in, sometimes they make her stand there at the top of the ladder, until she can't stand it any more and rushes in.
Since the Littlees tried to go in a week or so ago, the bedtime routine has been starting later and later and later. Presumably the Big Girls are stringing it out so that the Littlees have to cut their losses and go in their own Cube.
Tonight was ridiculous. Milly seemed oblivious to the falling dusk. Custard and Florence circled round the bottom of the ladder, seemingly desperate to go to bed. But Milly wasn't ready. And if Milly doesn't go, no one goes.
Today the Littlees went to bed, in their Cube, before Milly.
I suspect that was rather the point.
