Taking Flight by Julia; Green, Jane Cope Page B

Luke thinks Grandad looks older and a bit sad.

    â€œTake care of them pigeons for me, lad,” Grandad says.
    â€œI will, Grandad. I’ll feed them till you’re safe back home.”
    When Luke turns round to wave from the doorway, Grandad has already closed his eyes.
    â€œHe’s going to be all right, isn’t he?” Luke asks.
    â€œHe’s in the best place right now,” Mum says.

Chapter Three
    Luke’s hands are shaking as he stands in front of his class.
    â€œRight,” Mrs Hill says. “What are you going to tell us about, Luke?”
    â€œPigeons,” Luke says. His voice comes out too soft, and a bit squeaky. Someone giggles.
    Mrs Hill frowns. “Quiet, everyone,” she says. “Speak up, Luke.”
    Once he’s got going it isn’t so bad. He tells the class about the pigeon loft, and how to put seed in the hopper, and fill the water trough. He makes the sound of a happy pigeon:
crrroo crooo
.

    â€œTheir feathers are beautiful, if you look properly,” Luke says. “Pink and turquoise and green, not just grey like people think.” He passes round the two feathers for everyone to stroke.
    â€œBest of all is when the pigeons fly off, in a great circle, and their wings flash silver in the sunlight as they turn.”
    â€œWhy don’t they just fly away?” Mira asks.

    â€œBecause they know where they’re fed, see?” Luke says.
    â€œThey’re homers, and you can train them.”

    â€œHave they got names?” Joe says.
    â€œYes. Each one’s different, see? There’s Silver, with his silvery head, and Bossy, who’s the lead bird, and Queenie, because of the way she walks…”

    Luke’s forgotten that he was scared about talking in front of everyone. It’s easy. Everyone’s listening, and asking questions.
    Mrs Hill gives him a big smile. “Well done, Luke!” she says. “We need to stop now, but that was fascinating. Thank you.”
    Everyone claps.
    â€œYou were brilliant,” Mira says at the end of the day.
    Luke blushes.

    â€œCan I come and see them pigeons?” Joe asks.
    â€œWhen my Grandad’s better,” Luke says.Mum finishes work early so she can collect Luke from school and they can both go to the hospital.
    â€œHad a good day?” Mum asks.
    â€œYes,” Luke says. He’s surprised. It really was a good day. His talk was pretty cool.
    They tiptoe through the door into the ward. Grandad seems to be sleeping. Mum sits in the chair next to the bed, and Luke stands next to her. Grandad’s breathing sounds funny. Mum strokes Grandad’s hand. He opens his eyes. He doesn’t recognise them at first. He thinks Luke is someone else.
    â€œSpeak to him, Luke,” Mum says.
    â€œI did my talk about your pigeons today,” Luke says. “Everyone liked it.”

    â€œGood lad,” Grandad says. “How are my beauties?”
    â€œThey’re missing you,” Luke says. “I fed them this morning on the way to school. I’ll let them out, later.”
    â€œGood lad.” Grandad closes his eyes again.
    â€œHe’s very tired,” Mum says. “We better not stay too long.’

    â€œTired,” Grandad echoes. “Tired out.”
    Mum drives back via Grandad’s so Luke can look after the pigeons. “I’ll do a spot of cleaning while you let them out,” she says.
    Luke gets the key and goes down the garden. The pigeons are crowding against the wire in their cages in the shed, jostling for space at the front, cooing and pecking at the empty seed hoppers.

    â€œIt’s all right,” Luke tells them. “I’m looking after you now.”
    As he unlatches each cage, the birds push and shove their way onto the edge and then take off in sudden flight. Luke watches each single bird become part of the whole, so that they fly together in a silvery wave, high over the rooftops