21
Frank stood solemnly on the veranda.
‘Evening Pa,’ George said.
George and Cissie were paying an impromptu visit as the evening was unusually mild and they both felt a walk in the fresh air would do them both some good.
‘Good evening, what a nice surprise,’ the old man uttered without conviction before leading them inside. He wandered down to the sitting room and continued his watch of the yard from the window.
‘What’s the matter with Pa?’ George asked, retreating to the kitchen with Cissie.
‘Oh, it’s simply awful, George. It’s the magpie. We think Trick’s flown away. There’s no reason for that bird to go,’ Jane replied, pounding pastry dough furiously on the counter.
‘Maybe someone stole him?’ Cissie asked.
‘I doubt it. That bird dive-bombed anyone else who came near him. Whate
