The Birdcage Read Online Free PDF Page A

remembering how she told him the wonderful news.
    â€˜Grandfather can’t manage on his own any longer,’ she explains, ‘so we are going to move to Michaelgarth to look after him.’
    Piers hears the lilt in her voice; he knows how she loves the place where she was born and grew up with her beloved brother, Peter: the big grey-stone house standing up on the hill looking out to sea, with the sunny, sheltered garth behind it, held within the two wings of the house. He loves it too. There is space to run, to make secret dens; his tricycle judders and jolts over the cobbles in the garth but, once out on the drive, he can go like the wind whilst Grandfather’s springer spaniel, Monty, bounds along beside him, barking madly. If only he had a brother they could play such splendid games at Michaelgarth.
    This afternoon, he stands patiently beside his mother as they wait in Parhams to be served with cheese and tea. Perhaps now is the time, now that she is happy, to ask for a brother – or even a sister. Outside the shop he changes his mind; something deep inside warns him not to spoil today’s happiness. Already at seven years old he knows how fragile it is.
    â€˜There’s Daddy,’ he cries with delight. ‘Look, he’s talking to Mrs Cartwright.’
    He feels his mother’s grip tighten on his hand and looks up at her. The smoothed-out look her face has been wearing all day has gone: she frowns and her mouth turns down. It is as if the sun has disappeared behind a cloud; anxiety is heavy in his stomach – as if he has eaten rice pudding too quickly – and in a sudden panic he shouts aloud.
    â€˜Daddy,’ he calls across the street. ‘Hello, Daddy. Hello, Mrs Cartwright.’
    They both turn and Mrs Cartwright smiles, waves her hand. ‘Hello, Piers. How are you, Marina?’
    His father raises his hat to Mrs Cartwright, as if bidding her goodbye, but she accompanies him, crossing with him to where they stand outside the post office.
    â€˜Hello, darling,’ says his father easily. Piers sees him move, as if to kiss her mother’s cheek, but a stiffening, a tilting of her chin, makes him hesitate.
    â€˜Hello, Marina,’ says Mrs Cartwright. She looks amused, her eyes sparkle, and Piers decides that she is very pretty, with her little feathered hat and tall-heeled shoes. ‘I hear that you’ve moved back home.’
    â€˜Yes, that’s right. How are you, Helen? How’s James?’
    Piers tugs at his father’s sleeve. ‘Are you coming home to tea with us, Daddy?’ he asks eagerly.
    His father glances at his watch and Piers sees him look at his mother’s face as if he might find an answer written there.
    â€˜I expect your father has to get back to the office,’ she says. ‘He’ll be home later.’
    â€˜I’ve been with old Mrs Baker at Myrtle Cottage.’ He says it to Piers but rather as if he is telling the others as well. ‘The roof is leaking like a basket. Well, I’d better be off. See you later.’
    He raises his hat again and turns away. Helen Cartwright smiles down at Piers.
    â€˜This boy is just like his father, Marina,’ she says. ‘So you’re back at Michaelgarth. That’s such good news although I’m sorry to hear that your father isn’t too well. Your mother’s death must have been a great shock to you all.’
    â€˜It was very sad but I hope he’ll pick up a little now.’ Her voice is cool but polite. ‘You must come for tea soon, once we’ve settled in properly.’
    â€˜That would be very nice.’ Mrs Cartwright still looks as if something is amusing her. ‘Felix was saying that James and I should come in for drinks one evening but I’d love to come to tea.’
    â€˜Goodbye, then.’ His mother turns away, pulling Piers with her into the post office, but he twists back to smile at Mrs