The Golden Acorn - Catherine Cooper [60]
‘Can’t have you flying better than I can read, can we?’
Camelin chuckled so loudly he woke Orin.
There was a loud knock on the front door. ‘Time to go,’ said Jack wistfully.
‘See you later, and don’t forget I’ll be hungry. It’s hard work reading.’
It was Jack’s turn to laugh. Orin jumped onto Jack’s hand and made herself at home in his pocket. Jack collected his backpack from the spare room and went down to meet Grandad. He found everyone in the kitchen.
‘Just been getting my things,’ he explained.
‘Nora says you’ve all had a good weekend.’
‘The best,’ replied Jack. ‘Thanks for an amazing time.’
‘You can come over next weekend and stay again if you like,’ Nora said. ‘I know Elan will be glad of the company and I’m sure you’ve got things already planned Sam.’
Grandad nodded.
‘It’s a busy time, what with the gardening and cricket, but I don’t want him to be a nuisance or be in the way.’
‘If Jack wants to come he’ll be more than welcome,’ said Nora and gave Jack a wink that Grandad didn’t see.
‘Bye,’ called Elan from the gate as she waved to them. ‘See you tomorrow night.’
Jack smiled as they walked back along the lane. He was happy. It had been a long time since he’d felt like this. He hadn’t wanted to come and live with Grandad but, now he was here, he couldn’t think of anywhere on earth he’d rather be. His life had been changed forever. He was a raven boy like Camelin now and could fly. He looked towards Glasruhen Forest and wondered if Arrana was alright. He knew she’d be kept informed about his flying lessons. She’d also know it wasn’t his fault the golden acorn was missing. He’d have to ask Nora if he could fly over with Camelin into Glasruhen Forest at the weekend to see her. Flying really was going to have lots of benefits. He hoped his muscles would get used to it soon; he still ached. Camelin had told him they had a lot of things to practice before they’d be ready to go through the window in time but Jack didn’t care. He couldn’t wait to fly again.
BAD NEWS
Jack’s first day at school went quicker and better than he’d expected. He’d worried about what his new classmates would be like and if he’d fit in, but it hadn’t been as bad as he’d thought. None of the boys he’d met on the playing field were in his class and all the teachers had been friendly. At the end of the afternoon Grandad and Elan were waiting for him by the back gate which led into the lane.
‘Good day?’ Grandad asked.
‘It was OK. I’ve put my name down for the choir auditions. They’re doing a concert at the end of term.’
‘Good for you,’ said Grandad and patted Jack on the back. ‘Got a lot of homework tonight?’
‘I’ve got things I have to do,’ Jack replied. He didn’t want to lie to Grandad but he couldn’t tell him about the flying lessons.
‘Nora said Jack can use her library for his homework,’ said Elan.
‘That’s really kind. I’ve only got a few books and most of them are about gardening,’ Grandad replied.
‘See you later then,’ Jack said as they reached Grandad’s gate.
‘Dinner’s at six. Don’t be late.’
‘I won’t,’ Jack promised.
‘Were you OK today?’ Elan asked when they were alone.
‘It was fine apart from my aching muscles and not being able to concentrate too well.’
Jack looked around.
‘Where’s Camelin?’
‘Keeping watch,’ laughed Elan, ‘just in case you had any trouble. He said he wanted to be ready for those boys if they showed up and started anything.’
Camelin must have heard his name. He appeared above them and spiralled into a nosedive. He pulled out at the last moment with a backwards flip.
‘Wow!’ exclaimed Jack.
‘Don’t encourage him!’ laughed Elan. ‘He’ll get bigheaded.’
Camelin swooped round and landed carefully on Jack’s shoulder.
‘Ready for your lesson?’ he croaked, then whispered in Jack’s ear, ‘See you later for mine.’
Jack only had two things he needed to find out for homework and Elan knew exactly where to look in Nora’s library. It wasn’t long before he was able to transform. He worked on landing and taking off and managed to