The Golden Acorn - Catherine Cooper [74]
‘Step forward where I can see you,’ Nora commanded.
Peabody stepped into the light from the kitchen. He had a scarf wrapped around his face to hide the shame of his shrunken nose. His knees began to knock loudly. Everyone stared at him.
‘He wouldn’t listen to me,’ he sobbed. ‘Pycroft never listens to me, always thinks he knows best, said he was keeping the acorn for good and no one would ever find out where he was going to hole up. Even I couldn’t find him or I would have come and told you, and now it’s too late.’
Peabody began to sob even louder when he saw Nora raise her wand slightly.
‘I’m sorry. I couldn’t find him. I came in through the tunnel but now that’s gone I’m trapped. I can’t get out of your garden.’
Nora held her wand high and pointed it down at Peabody’s nose. His teeth began to chatter and tears soaked into his scarf.
‘You’ll be glad to know we found your brother and I now have my golden acorn back. I think we’ve both been misused,’ she said kindly. ‘You shall have your nose restored.’
A green light flashed from the end of Nora’s wand. There was a crackle and Peabody squealed excitedly as his scarf began to stretch. He quickly unwound it.
‘My nose, my nose, my distinguished wonderful nose,’ he cried as he jumped up and down. ‘Oh thank you great Seanchai, thank you. I’m forever in your debt. If there’s ever anything I can do, you only need ask.’
‘I think I’d like you to leave my garden,’ Nora told him as she pointed her wand at Peabody’s feet and raised him into the air. When he was level with her face he began thanking her again.
‘Oh great Seanchai, oh Mighty One, thank you, thank you.’
They could still hear his voice in the distance after Nora had transported him to the other side of the hedge.
‘What will happen if Pycroft finds out Peabody’s got his nose back?’ Jack asked.
‘Unless Pycroft wants a pig’s snout for a nose for the rest of his life he’s going to have to start treating Peabody better, and everyone else he comes into contact with for that matter,’ replied Nora.
There was a grunting sound. Everyone turned to where the noise had come from.
‘Camelin!’ Nora chided, but Jack could see she was trying not to laugh.
Jack flew back to the loft with Camelin and transformed.
‘Are you worried about tomorrow night?’ Camelin asked Jack again before he left the loft.
‘A bit but I feel a lot better now Nora’s got the golden acorn back.’
‘Are we still going to watch that cricket match you wanted to see tomorrow afternoon? There’ll be lots of sandwiches.’
‘We are, but we’re not going to steal anything. Besides they’ll be watching out for you.’
Jack could hear Camelin grumbling to himself as he left the loft. When he finally got into bed he couldn’t sleep. This time tomorrow he might still be in the past searching for the lost plates. He had to succeed, but what then? Once the cauldron was restored Nora would reopen the portal. Would he be left on his own again? Would he ever see any of his friends once they went back into Annwn? It would be painful to say goodbye. It would be worse if he failed. He’d never had this kind of responsibility before. He was afraid but he’d keep his promise. He’d do his best.
It was late when Jack woke the next morning. The sun was already streaming in through the curtains. He listened but couldn’t hear anyone else moving about in the house.
He found everyone, apart from Camelin, sitting in the garden.
‘Breakfast?’ asked Nora.
‘I’m not very hungry. I’ll wait for Camelin.’
‘Are you OK?’ Elan asked.
Jack nodded even though he didn’t feel too good. His stomach was churning.
‘Is it all right if Camelin and I fly over to the Cricket Club this afternoon? There’s a match I’d like to watch unless you need us for anything else.’
‘I don’t think there’s anything else we can do now. Everything’s ready; we just need to wait until sunset.’
Jack had a long wait for Camelin. When he finally appeared he looked as if he’d had a sleepless night too.
Later that afternoon Jack and Camelin flew over to the pavilion. They