Forest Secrets. David Laing
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Gloria’s dad has made me thirsty.’
I answered the door, and as soon as I saw who it was, my stomach did a little dance.
Chapter 6
I was more than a little surprised when I saw Gloria and her father standing on the doorstep, especially since we’d just finished talking about them. Déjà vu, I think they call it. I asked them to come in. Guessing that Gloria probably wanted to talk with Snook – about today’s events maybe – I was about to tell them where he was when there was the sound of broken glass coming from the kitchen. Followed by a short, sharp, very loud curse.
I rolled my eyes and looked at the ceiling. Snook’s attempt at etiquette had suddenly taken a turn for the worse. Gloria and her dad looked at each other, eyebrows raised, as if to say such language would never be tolerated in our house. They then looked away, not saying anything, trying to pretend that nothing had happened. ‘Er, Snook’s in the kitchen,’ I said, feeling my cheeks burn. ‘We could go through to the lounge room if you like. Snook will join us in a minute, as soon as he’s cleaned up the, er, finished doing what he’s doing.’ I knew I was starting to prattle but for the life of me, I couldn’t stop. ‘I’m afraid my aunt and uncle aren’t here at the moment,’ I went on. ‘Snook’s dad’s still out in the boat fishing and his mum’s at the shop. I expect they’ll be home soon. Er, did you want to see them?’ I willed myself to stop yabbering.
‘It’s not Mr and Mrs Kelly we wish to see, Jars,’ Gloria’s father said. ‘We would, however, appreciate a word with Snook.’
I pointed to a chair. ‘Right, um, have a seat while I go tell him you’re here.’
Snook beat me to it. He breezed in, not looking surprised that we had visitors. ‘Hi Gloria, hello Mr Huntingdale,’ he said grinning widely, at the same time pointing backwards with his thumb. ‘Did you hear me drop the glass back there? Stupid of me that was. It slipped. Still, never mind.’
I smiled to myself. It was a good thing Snook’s father hadn’t heard him cursing back there in the kitchen; he would’ve got a good whack on the backside and a reminder that it was only people who don’t have a command of the Queen’s English who swear. Snook wasn’t worried about anything like that, though. Tossing his head in the air, causing his long fair locks to bounce, he said, ‘What’s up?’
Gloria’s father smiled and said, ‘I’d like a word … about what happened to you last night. You gave Gloria quite a scare.’
I could see that Snook was about to say something inappropriate and probably not very tactful either. I could see that he was embarrassed; he’d coloured up and his eyes were flashing. His lips had gone all wormy too. I gave him a nudge. ‘You’d appreciate that, wouldn’t you, Snook?’ No response. I gave him another nudge. ‘Wouldn’t you, Snook?’
‘Uh? Yeah … sure … whatever.’
Gloria’s dad nodded. ‘Thank you. I’m sure that what I have to say will be mutually beneficial.’
Snook looked across at me, eyebrows raised. What’s going on? his mouth, twisted like play dough, was asking. What’s he talkin’ about?
‘How are you feeling this evening?’ Gloria’s dad asked Snook. ‘I haven’t seen you for some time and Gloria tells me you’ve been a little out of sorts lately, ever since last night, I believe. Would you like to talk about it? That could be the cause of your abnormal behaviour.’
What’s goin’ on? he asked again silently.
Gloria’s father continued. ‘I have to say, you do have a somewhat harried look about you. In fact, you appear quite distraught as if something deep inside is troubling you.’
‘Nope, I’m all right. I’m not troubled.’
I felt sorry for Snook. His voice had gone all twitchy and tiny bubbles of sweat were starting to pop out on his forehead. Glancing across at Gloria, I couldn’t help feeling sorry for her as well. Standing beside her father, hands clasped, eyes glued to the floor, she almost looked as down and out as Snook. I wanted to butt in and tell Gloria and her dad about the asteroid and the dinosaurs – to clear the air – but deep down I knew it’d do no good. Who in their right mind would believe a story like that?
Gloria’s father continued to question Snook. ‘You’re feeling fine, eh? According to Gloria, that wasn’t the case last night. In fact, she was most upset when you had your … whatever it was.’ He pointed to Gloria who was still studying the carpet. ‘The thing is my daughter’s really concerned for you. That’s why I’m here now. She asked me to come and see you – to make sure that you were all right. As I have said, she was worried about you, and quite frankly, after seeing you, so am I.’
I could almost feel the white heat of Snook’s anger. He didn’t like being talked about publicly like he was now. I was wondering what the best plan of action would be to relieve the tension in the air that was starting to build up, when Mr Huntingdale’s mobile phone rang; it was a text message. ‘I’m wanted at Sunny Rest Home,’ he said, looking over at Gloria. ‘You’ll have to find your own way home, I’m afraid.’
‘She’ll be right,’ I assured Gloria’s dad. ‘My Aunt Irene will be home soon. I’m sure she wouldn’t mind running Gloria home.’
Looking relieved that the cross examination was over, Snook backed me up, ‘Yep, Mum’ll do that. No worries.’
‘Thank you,’ he said putting the phone away. ‘That would be very helpful.’ He then said to Snook, ‘I’d like to see you in my surgery first thing Tuesday. I think a good check-up is in order.’
‘Yeah,’ Snook said under his breath as he watched Gloria’s father head for the door. ‘That’ll be the day.’
Chapter 7
‘Someone must be sick at the old folks’ home,’ Snook said after Gloria’s father had left.
‘Oh, there’s a couple of old folk at Sunny Rest Home who often call him,’ Gloria explained. ‘They’re too old and frail to go to his surgery. He’s probably gone to see them.’ In a more serious tone, she added, ‘I’m sorry about my father asking all those questions earlier, but he means well. I-I guess he was concerned. I suppose I am too. So, tell me, why did you act so standoffish last night? I didn’t know what to think when you ignored me like you did. You were the same today on the bus. I-I really can’t understand what’s going on.’
Shrugging and putting on a goofy face, Snook looked over at me in a what do I say now? gesture. I must admit, I was in a bit of a quandary too. How do you rationally explain the visions that Snook and I had both had … and at the same time? Like Snook, I just shrugged. I didn’t have the answer. Eventually, he said, ‘Look, Gloria, I wanna explain, but I dunno that you’d understand. It’s kind of complicated.’
‘Why don’t you try and tell me, anyway?’
Yeah, I suppose I could, but first there’s somethin’ I wanna ask you.’
Sensing that the conversation was about to get mushy, I decided it was time to go. ‘C’mon Shadow,’ I called. ‘It’s time we were out of here.’
‘Where’re you off to?’ Snook asked. ‘You don’t have to leave. I’m not gonna go all gooey and do that eti –eti- stuff that you told me about this afternoon. I’m just gonna have a quick word with Gloria.’ Reluctantly, I sat back down again. Shadow curled up at my feet.
Probably wondering what the quick word was, and after a few moments of silence, Gloria told Snook to get on with it.
Rubbing the palms of his hands on his jumper, Snook said, ‘I wus just gunna ask you about a photo competition.’
I couldn’t believe it. I knew darn well what was on his mind, what he wanted to tell Gloria, but he’d squibbed it. Simple as that. I nearly said something but