Читать книгу Forest Secrets - David Laing - Страница 15

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.’