The Land of Meow Short Story Series

Chapters One to Eight: Boysie Budgie Escapes

Chapter One: "Tea at Mrs. Watson's."

Jonathon Fielding arrived home on the After Hours Care Bus ravenously hungry as usual. He dropped his bag on the living-room floor and was about to race into the kitchen for a snack when his Mother, Natalya, stopped him.

"I need you to have a shower and get changed Jonathon," Mother said.

"Oh no, Mum," Jonathon said. "Whatever for? I had a shower this morning!"

"We have been invited to Mrs. Watson's for tea," Mother explained. Mother was wearing a nice frock and was looking happy. She was also looking very pretty. Aside from working, Jonathon's mother did not go out much and she was looking forward to getting to know her neighbour better.

"It was nice of Mrs. Watson to ask us," Teela observed. At twelve, going on thirteen, Teela was old enough to enjoy things like dressing up and visiting friends.

"I hope she has cupcakes," Jonathon said hopefully and went into the bathroom to wash away the dirt of the school day.

A few minutes later, they were all ready to make their way across to Mrs. Watson's house. Teela was also wearing a nice dress, and had her hair plaited neatly. Jonathon's hair was damp and combed neatly around a centre parting, but it would soon dry out and become unruly again.

Chapter Two: "Boysie is Missing."

Mrs. Watson greeted them warmly at the door. "I'm so glad you could come," she exclaimed. "I get lonely here by myself."

"So do I," Mother agreed.

Jonathon was about to object that Mother was not alone, she had Jonathon and Teela, but Teela divined his attention and kicked his ankle.

"It's adult talk," she whispered.

Jonathon rubbed his ankle. "You didn't have to do that," he retorted.

"I'm sorry," Teela said, but Jonathon was not sure that she really meant it. She was a bossy big sister and all that.

Mrs. Watson led them into her dining-room. It had a large table and some formal chairs. The visitors sat down. Mrs. Watson served them hard-boiled eggs covered in bread crumbs. Jonathon wondered how she had made the bread crumbs stick onto the egg. He had never had anything like it before, and it was delicious. He didn't like the broccoli so much, but he ate it politely. Mother had taught him well.

After tea, Mother and Mrs. Watson started some more of the adult talk. Mrs. Watson was showing mother photographs of her son, who was a postman somewhere on the other side of the city. Teela seemed interested, but Jonathon was bored.

"Could I go and look at Boysie?" Jonathon asked. He liked the neighbours' colourful budgie.

"Of course, dear," Mrs. Watson said.

Jonathon followed the corridor past the kitchen and went out the back door. He was surprised to find that Boysie was not in his cage, and the door was swinging on its hinge. He gave a cry of alarm. "Boysie is gone!"

Mother and Mrs. Watson came running, with Teela close behind. Mrs. Watson was distressed. Boysie was her pet, and he even knew one or two words. She said the bird kept her company now that her son had moved out. Mrs. Watson began to cry and Mother patted her on the shoulder.

"Don't worry," Mother said. "We will help you look for him."

Jonathon and Teela nodded.

Chapter Three: "The Search for Boysie."