Angel Creek Read Online Free PDF Page A

to the angel. ‘Just as soon as your wing’s better.’
    But she wanted to show Stef first. After all, what was the point of having something magical happen to you if you couldn’t share it with your best friend? Gino was pulling bark off a mulberry twig. ‘Can we go now?’ he said. ‘Dad’ll kill me if we’re not there when they get back. I’m supposed to wash his car today as punishment for staying out last night.’
    â€˜That’s so mean,’ said Jelly. ‘It’s Christmas Day!’
    Gino shrugged. ‘Yeah.’
    Jelly stroked the angel’s wings and felt all her anger towards her uncle come up out of her chest, like a gust of hot air, and rush down her arms and through her fingertips. The angel stirred and then settled again. ‘Let’s go then,’ she said, and took Pik’s hand. Gino pulled the door shut behind them and slid the bolt across.
    â€˜It’s not going anywhere,’ Jelly said.
    â€˜It can still crawl,’ Gino said. ‘It might get out. I don’t want it to escape.’
    â€˜What do you mean you don’t want it to escape? It’s not like it belongs to you.’
    â€˜Yes, it does,’ Gino said. ‘I found it.’
    â€˜ What ?’
    â€˜In the creek. I was the first to see it. You didn’t even want to go into the water.’
    â€˜But I’m the one looking after it. It wants me .’
    â€˜Yeah, Gino,’ Pik piped up from behind Jelly’s legs. ‘Jelly fixed its wing.’
    â€˜Shut up, Pik! This has nothing to do with you. It’s my angel. I’m taking it home with me to show my friends.’
    â€˜You can’t do that,’ Jelly said.
    â€˜Why not?’
    â€˜Because, because…the adults might see it. You can’t just show it to anybody.’
    â€˜I bet you want to show it to your friends. Why can’t I show mine?’
    Jelly felt her cheeks heat up. ‘That’s not the same. Your friends are…’
    â€˜What?’
    â€˜They’re boys! They’ll hurt it, or something, Gino. Don’t be stupid!’
    Gino’s face flared red. ‘I’m not stupid. You’re stupid. I can do what I want. And anyway, finders keepers .’
    Jelly glared at Gino and he glared back. A moth of panic banged around in her chest. Gino couldn’t keep the angel. He couldn’t. Even if he was the first to see it. That didn’t mean anything. It wanted her . She was the one looking after it. It was hers, not Gino’s.
    All the way back to her house Gino walked ahead of Jelly, and Pik skipped to keep up. They didn’t speak to each other once.

6
    a silver heart
    â€˜Shhh,’ Maureen said as they came in the back door, even though they hadn’t actually said anything yet. She was sitting on the couch with Sophia, watching cartoons with the sound down low. ‘Your mum and dad are home, Jelly. They’re asleep upstairs.’
    â€˜How’s Nonna?’ Jelly asked.
    â€˜They’re just keeping an eye on her for now, honey.’
    â€˜Where are my parents?’ Gino asked.
    â€˜Well,’ said Maureen, turning to face him. ‘The strangest thing just happened. That old gum tree out the front dropped an enormous branch onto your dad’s car. Almost flattened it. That tree’s been there for almost thirty years and never lost a twig.’
    â€˜Not the Alfa!’
    Maureen nodded.
    â€˜Dad’s going to be so mad. Where is he?’
    â€˜Gone with the tow truck. They’ll be lucky to find a garage open on Christmas Day, though.’ Maureen grinned. ‘Looks like you’re stuck here for a while, I’d say.’
    â€˜I’m going upstairs,’ Jelly said, stifling a smile. Her uncle was obsessed with his new car. Sometimes she thought he cared more about it than Gino, Pik or Sophia. Serves him right, she thought.
    Jelly didn’t go into her room straight