The Cuckoo's Song

Chapter Thirteen

When the boys and Gabby discovered that it was Elli's birthday on the 30th, they were outraged that she wasn't celebrating it. Anna wanted to do something but had no money and hadn't wanted to get Elli's hopes up. Everyone pulled together to make sure she would have a cake and presents and all promised to attend the party that Gabby was organising. Rosa had a word with the beer hall's owner, and he consented to let them throw her a party there. It was clear that he was quite smitten with her, which Anna thought was very sweet. Rosa didn't seem to care.

Anna and Abe had the very simple task of keeping Elli busy whilst everyone else set it up. So, as always, they took her for a walk along the river. Elli was happy enough with this as her birthday outing.

Abe was giving her a piggyback, Elli ecstatic to be up so high that she could touch the low hanging tree branches.

"Is it nice being this tall all the time?" she asked Abe, which made him laugh.

"Yeah, it's pretty good. 'Cept I don't get as much air up here. That's why I ain't that smart."

Elli giggled, then looked at Anna.

"You should not say those things," chastised Anna. "You are smart."

"Hardly," chuckled Abe. "Don't matter. I'm big and tough, so it's all good."

Anna grinned.

"Like a bull!" said Elli. "Both Abe and I are bulls! Our star sign is Taurus!"

"Since when did you have an interest in astrology?" laughed Anna.

"Gabby showed me," she replied proudly. "Abe's birthday is the fourteenth May. So he's a Taurus just like me!"

"That's right," grinned Abe devilishly. "I'm a big bull."

Anna blushed, which only made his grin grow further.

Elli noticed and wriggled her way to the ground. "You should have a go."

"Oh no," said Anna, "I couldn't."

"Y'all saying I ain't strong enough?" questioned Abe, teasingly.

"He once pulled a whole tree from the ground!" said Elli. "He told me so!"

Anna rolled her eyes.

"Yeah, come on darlin'," grinned Abe. "Your turn!"

Anna sighed, but couldn't help but smile. She jumped up on his back.

Abe hoisted her up, turning to Elli. "Ta da!" he said, Elli clapping excitedly.

"You can put me down now!" insisted Anna, her eyes screwed shut.

"Nah!" said Abe. "I think I'll keep ya!" At that, he charged off down the path. Anna squealed and buried her face in his shoulder. "Keep up El!" Abe called to Elli who ran after them. "We need to make it to Timbuktu before nightfall! They'll never find us there!"

"You're a mad man!" cried Anna, as he slowed to a stop, Elli caught up with them now.

"Is that German for, 'Thanks Abe, that was fun?'" he asked as he set her down.

"No!" she said but was smiling as he grinned and raised his eyebrows at her. "It is not funny! You might have killed me!"

"Ah, come on," he said, as Elli's hands slipped into both of theirs, "where's your sense of adventure?"

"Mama always said she was too serious," said Elli.

Anna huffed. "Well one of us had to be."

"Karl used to make her have fun," said Elli, the mood sinking just a little.