“I thought I heard voices,” began Maggie, then noticed Joshua standing in the shadows. “Who are you? You have no right to be here. This is private property. I won’t have you here bothering my family. Get out.”
Picking up a shovel from the side of the shed she advanced on Joshua who gave her a horrified look before making a prudent dash for freedom out the door. Maggie ran after him for a few steps before turning back and replacing the shovel.
“That’s got rid of him,” she said in satisfaction.
“Gosh Mum, you were amazing. Even I was scared of you,” Meredith blurted out.
Cory gulped. He could see Joshua running into the pine forest across the road and hoped he wouldn’t go too far away.
“What a mess,” he thought.
Maggie hustled Meredith and Cory back to the house and made them stay inside where she could keep an eye on them while she was sewing.
“I don’t like you going out there with an unpleasant character like that hanging around,” she said. “I suppose I should really ring the police.”
“Oh no,” said Meredith in alarm. “Don’t do that. He’s gone now and he wasn’t really bothering us. He was, he was asking if there was any work,” she improvised desperately.
Maggie wasn’t convinced.
“Then he should have come to the door, not gone to the shed. He might have stolen something,”
“I don’t think so,” said Cory reassuringly. “He had just come. He heard us talking, that’s why he came to the shed.”
Maggie looked a little happier but it was mid-afternoon before she would allow the children to go outside. “Make sure you come inside again straight away if you see any strangers,” she insisted.
Cory and Meredith searched the shed but it was empty.
”We’ll have to go into the forest,” said Meredith.
“I’ll go. You’d better stay here in case your Mum comes and checks up on us.” Cory dashed across the road and wriggled under the fence.
At first the forest was quite interesting to walk through but it became darker and darker the further in he went. From time to time Cory called, “Joshua,” but there was no reply.
“I don’t think he’s here,” Cory muttered to himself, then jumped as a strong arm clamped around his chest like an iron band. Cory felt a sharp blade prick against his throat as a hoarse voice whispered in his ear,
“Are you a spy, here to lead me into danger?”
Cory gulped.
“Joshua, it’s me, Cory. I’m not a spy,” he croaked. “I rescued you from the pirate ship. Remember?”
Joshua dropped the scissor blade back to his belt and folded his arms as he glared at Cory.
“Why do you not return me to the pirate ship so that I may fight them?”
“We explained that. It won’t work until tomorrow.” Cory was nervous. The forest was very quiet and dark and Joshua suddenly seemed very large and menacing as he stood there in front of him. Joshua grunted.
“Did you bring me food?”
“No. I’m sorry. I tried, but I couldn’t get anything.”
Joshua looked downcast and Cory felt even worse about the large morning tea Maggie had forced on him.
“We could buy something,” suggested Cory. “I’ve got a couple of dollars in my pocket. Look. “He held out a handful of coins to Joshua who took one and bit it.”
“This is not gold,” he said contemptuously.
“No, but it’s enough to buy food,” Cory explained. He tried to explain the decimal currency system to Joshua as they trekked through the forest and out onto the road.
“We have to walk to the shops,” said Cory apologetically. “We could hitch a ride only I don’t think many cars come along here.”
They walked for what seemed hours but was probably only forty minutes. They only saw one car, which was fortunate, as even that one was enough to make Joshua dive into the trees with a wail of terror. Cory had to drag him out again and explain about cars and other vehicles. A wild-eyed Joshua seemed unconvinced about the safety of this and muttered darkly of devils and magic. It was with relief that Cory saw the shops come into sight as they rounded the final corner. He persuaded Joshua to wait under a tree while he ran along to the dairy. He bought a meat pie, a bar of chocolate and, with some vague idea of preventing scurvy, a carton of grapefruit juice.
Joshua needed no persuasion to eat the pie and wolfed it down hungrily. He spat out the first mouthful of grapefruit juice and accused Cory of trying to poison him. Cory drank some himself to prove it was safe but Joshua admitted that he would have preferred rum.
“I didn’t have enough money for rum. Anyway, I’m far too young to buy it,” Cory explained. He gave Joshua the chocolate and watched the delighted expression that crossed his face.
“What magnificent food. Is there any more?”
“I’m afraid not,” said Cory regretfully. It had been very good chocolate. “I don’t have any money for more. Come on, we have to go back.”
“Back where?” asked Joshua.
“Back to our boat. You will have to stay there tonight. It is very important,” added Cory as Joshua started to object. “It’s the only way the magic will work. Tomorrow I promise we will take you away from here.”
He hoped this would work and crossed his fingers for luck as he spoke.
The road back seemed twice as long. Joshua was inclined to grumble that he was wasting time and wanted to get back to the pirate ship, although he insisted on checking the trees beside the road for enemy spies. Cory’s new sneaker rubbed a blister on his heel, which became increasingly painful. It was nearly dark as the Miller’s house came into view, and Cory was relieved to see it. He took Joshua to the boat and asked him to stay in it. He told him of dragons all around and impressed on him that he must be quiet. Joshua seemed more concerned that Maggie would come back. Cory assured him that Maggie would not be likely to go to the shed and ran back to the house and in at the back door.
“Cory!” exclaimed Maggie. “Where have you been?”
“I said you’d be back,” put in Meredith, whom was calmly setting the table for dinner.
“Er, I went for a walk,” stammered Cory. “I went into that forest over the road and I got lost. I’ve just found my way back now.”
“I’m pleased you’re back. But you must tell me next time you go wandering off by yourself.”
Maggie gave him a reproachful look and Cory felt terrible. Not only had he broken one of the rules she had explained to him but he had lied to her as well. The fact that Meredith was cheerfully backing up his lies made him feel worse. He was obviously a bad influence. Innocent children weren’t safe while he was around. He wished Maggie had yelled at him. It would have been easier to put up with than the way she obviously cared about him. “And I’m only here for another week anyway,” he thought, then immediately wished he was staying. But Maggie would hardly want him to stay now.
Cory reflected on these gloomy thoughts during tea while Meredith chattered twice as much as usual to make up for his silence. She managed to get Cory on his own before bed.
“Where’s Joshua? Did you find him?” she asked eagerly.
“He’s in the boat. He’s fine. I bought him a pie and some chocolate so he won’t starve.”