Mister Cassowary by Samantha Wheeler Page B

towel rack, and closed the bathroom door behind him. Just as he went to sit down on the edge of the bath, the lid of the dirty clothes basket popped open. Peanut’s fuzzy head appeared, and he uttered a frightened ‘peep’.
    Dad’s face went bright red.
    â€˜Flynn! Is that a—’ He wasn’t able to say the word.
    â€˜Dad, this is Peanut,’ I said, scooping Peanut out of the basket. ‘I found him and his brother Jumble near the swamp.’ I offered my feathery bundle to Dad, but Dad backed away, like I was offering him a burning torch . ‘They’ve lost their dad, and they need me.’
    â€˜No, Flynn,’ said Dad. He moved further away from Peanut. ‘It was bad enough with your grandad, I’m not going through it all again. That bird has to go.’
    â€˜No!’ I shouted. ‘He’s scared. He’s only a baby. I have to look after him!’
    â€˜Flynn! You can’t go around playing with them and treating them like kittens!’
    â€˜But …’
    The walls of the bathroom started shaking. Dad gripped the edge of the bath. I pushed myself closer to the mattress, and Peanut leapt from my arms.
    â€˜Flynn! Get him away from me,’ cried Dad, lifting his legs so that Peanut couldn’t reach his feet. If Dad leant away any further, he’d topple straight into the bath.
    There was another crash and then a thud. The house shuddered. Peanut hopped closer towards Dad, but Dad leapt from the side of the bath and flung open the bathroom door. ‘Put it out!’ he ordered.
    â€˜No!’ I shouted. My chest heaved. I wouldn’t cry. I couldn’t cry. I had to be brave and protect Peanut. ‘He’s all alone without his dad and brother,’ I said. ‘We have to look after him! Why won’t you listen to me?’
    Before Dad could answer, Peanut darted between his legs, and straight out the door.
    â€˜Peanut!’ I shouted, jumping around Dad and after my little hide-and-seek chick.
    â€˜Flynn!’ yelled Dad, grabbing me in a rugby tackle. I tried to push him away, but he held me too tight. I stuck my elbows out and squirmed, and even tried to kick, but Dad wasn’t letting go.

Dad dragged me into the bathroom and pushed the door shut with his foot. As it closed, a loud crash made us both jump. It was followed by the sound of smashing glass.
    â€˜Peanut!’ I screamed.
    The bathroom was pitched into darkness.
    â€˜Quick. Under here.’ Dad pulled me down and hauled the mattress over our heads.
    â€˜Peanut!’ I sobbed.
    â€˜Shhh, mate, it’s okay.’ Dad pulled me into a bear hug. We lay like we were in a cave, Dad taking the weight of the mattress, both of us inhaling its stale, musty smell. ‘He’ll be in the house somewhere. We’ll go and find him when all this is over.’
    Instead of fighting Dad this time, I sank into his arms. His shirt was still wet, but he smelt familiar, like deodorant and washing powder. I could feel his heart thumping against my back. ‘But when will it be over?’ I whispered.
    â€˜Soon, mate, soon.’ Dad sucked at his teeth. ‘But meanwhile, staying in here’s the safest thing,’ he said. ‘It’s best to wait these things out.’
    â€˜But Dad …’
    â€˜You’ll just have to trust me,Flynn. I know that’s hard. With me being away and everything, we haven’t exactly got to know each other, have we? But I’m here now, and I’m going to look after you.’
    I sniffed.
    â€˜I’m sorry, Flynn. Shall we call a truce?’
    â€˜Why can’t you just tell me the truth?’
    I felt Dad’s chest rise.
    â€˜Trouble is,’ he began, ‘I’ve been feeling all over the shop since we arrived at the farm. Especially when it comes to cassowaries. I don’t know … maybe it’s because I’ve been here before. With Grandad