Devil's Rock - Chris Speyer [24]
‘Well, Zaki?’ said his father.
‘There was this bird in our classroom this morning,’ said Zaki. ‘The teacher thought I brought it in, but I didn’t.’
‘It wasn’t just any bird, was it, Isaac,’ said the head. ‘It was a bird of prey. Quite a rare bird and, if I’m not mistaken, a protected species. Am I right, Isaac?’
‘Think so, Mrs Bennett.’
‘You think so. And how did this bird of prey get into the classroom?’
‘I don’t know. It just appeared. I didn’t bring it in!’
‘Mrs Bennett, could you explain why my son is being accused of bringing this bird into school?’ asked Zaki’s father.
‘Somebody released a bird of prey in Mrs Palmer’s class this morning at precisely the time when Isaac was telling the class a story about being chased by a hawk. It seems that Isaac and one or more of his friends thought it would be a bit of a laugh.’
‘No!’ cried Zaki, ‘We didn’t! I didn’t! It was just there!’
‘OK, Zaki,’ said his father, ‘OK – let’s keep calm. If you say you didn’t bring the bird in, then I believe you. But a bird can’t just appear.’
‘If no one brought it in, perhaps you can tell me how it got there,’ said the head.
‘Couldn’t it have come in through a window?’ suggested Zaki’s father. ‘Birds sometimes do.’
‘The windows were closed,’ said the head. She picked up her pen, removed the cap and then clicked it back on again. She sighed, walked around her desk and sat down.
‘Do you have any idea how it got in?’ asked Zaki’s father.
‘No – I told you!’ said Zaki.
‘OK,’ said his father, holding up his hands in a way that indicated he considered the subject closed.
‘Mrs Palmer says the bird appeared to have been trained,’ persisted the head. ‘That Isaac held up his arm and the bird flew to him.’
‘It was going for me! I was protecting myself! Look!’ Zaki pulled up his sleeve; the claw marks were clearly visible on his forearm.
‘Oh, this is ridiculous!’ Zaki’s father got to his feet. ‘Are you seriously suggesting my son is some sort of expert in falconry?’
‘I’m merely trying to establish the truth, Mr Luxton; to hear Isaac’s side of the story.’ The head sighed again. ‘Isaac was off sick yesterday, I think? Hurt his shoulder, or something?’
‘He’s cracked his collarbone,’ said Zaki’s father.
‘Perhaps he should have the rest of today off. Let this business blow over. Is there anyone at home who could look after him? I believe his mother’s away.’
Zaki saw his father stiffen. ‘I’m quite capable of taking care of my son, thank you,’ he said.
‘I wouldn’t suggest for a moment that you are not,’ said the head, then to Zaki, ‘Well, if you or any of your friends think of anything more you want to tell me about this bird, do come and see me. You won’t get into any trouble.’ And she smiled, but all Zaki could think was, She doesn’t believe me.
g
On the way home in the van, his father turned to him and said, ‘First a cat turns up in the house that you have nothing to do with and now this bird. It does make me wonder.’
He doesn’t believe me either, thought Zaki miserably. Then he remembered Anusha. There was somebody who believed him; someone who’d seen what really happened that morning, and she said she’d meet him after school. He would have to find an excuse for going out. He had to talk to her.
g
Chapter 7
When his father steered the van into the driveway at Moor Lane, Zaki half expected the grey cat to be waiting for them outside the house, but there was no sign of it, nor did it materialise inside the house. Would it be back at the boat shed? he wondered.
Over lunch, Zaki asked his father about progress with the renovations at Number 43, anything to keep him off the subject of the morning’s problems at school. Zaki knew