Chapter II - The Surprise..... (cont')
“Good morning,” said Mrs Kipple as she rocked backward and
forward in front of a blazing coal fire.
“Hello, Mrs Kipple. It’s a bit chilly out there today,”
replied Peter's mother, rubbing her hands together.
“Cold enough for penguins! Come and get some warmth from
the fire; you'll catch your death,” she said with great concern.
“How’s my birthday boy? You look much taller than
yesterday.”
“Oh, I am fine. However, it is very cold,” he said, looking
at her with wide eyes. “I think you are quite right regarding my height. I must
be taller today, as my birthday makes me older.”
A small robin landed on the window ledge, standing high
with its red breast forward and tilting its head side to side.
“There’s my little robin. Hello,
robin. Would you like some bread?” asked Mrs
Kipple.
Suddenly a black cat pounced on the window ledge,
frightening the small bird away. “Tricky, Tricky! How many times have I told you? Leave my robin alone!” she
muttered as she unbolted the back door.
The door opened and the cat ran in, pushing itself against
her leg with a loud purring sound. The cat showed even more affection as Mrs Kipple placed a saucer of milk down on the
floor.
“Well, I don’t know what is wrong. Is
it cold outside?”
Peter never understood why Mrs Kipple spoke to things that couldn’t
reply, but he was sure elderly people did this on a regular basis. Mrs Kipple
continued her conversation with the cat as Peter wandered into an obscure room
at the side of the staircase, where shadows pervaded the darkened spaces. Peter
hadn’t noticed the room before, but it looked like a kind of storeroom. Pots of
paint, tools, and waxes huddled between a group of dirty rags dressing the
floor. A grimy table with three legs was propped up against the side wall; a
roll of green baize was thrown across the top. Many items awaited repair, including a rather large, ornate clock
that caught his eye. The clock was as big as his uncle Richard, who had to be
careful when entering a room – he was as tall as any door. Carvings of pond-like things adorned the sides: frogs, dragonflies,
lily pads, and lilies swirled around everywhere. They were just like the ones
on his key.
Peter A Darkened Fairytale -William O'Brien
No comments:
Post a Comment