How to Make a Golem (and Terrify People) by Alette Willis

Author:Alette Willis [Alette J. Willis]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780863159039
Publisher: Floris Books
Published: 2012-10-15T00:00:00+00:00

Getting into the zoo ended up being more difficult than getting permission to go. I had to stand in a long queue for what seemed like the whole morning. When I got to the front and plunked down my money, the woman behind the desk frowned, pointed to the sign above her head that read, “Under sixteens must be accompanied by an adult” and asked me how old I was.

I hastily pulled another five-pound note out of my pocket. “Sixteen,” I said, standing as tall as I could without rising up on my tiptoes, and giving her the most sincere smile I could fake.

She didn’t smile back. “Can I see some ID, please?” she asked. “Something with your date of birth on it.”

“I don’t have anything,” I said truthfully.

“Then I’m sorry—” she began.

“I’m here with my dad,” I said before she could finish. “He’s parking the car. He told me to meet him by the sea-lion pool.”

“I’m sorry, but you’ll have to wait out here,” she said, pointing to an empty bit of floor by the rack of leaflets.

“She’s with me,” said a familiar voice. I’d never been so happy to see Michael, although I had to wonder how he knew to come just when I needed him. Was he following me?

“Are you her father?” asked the woman doubtfully.

Michael laughed a fake, deep laugh – the kind that gets described in books as a chortle.

“No, no,” he said. “I’m her older brother.” He put the full adult entry fee on the counter next to mine. “Our father is parking the car.”

“So I’ve heard,” said the woman, but she took the money – including my extra five-pound note – and gave us our tickets.

“I can’t believe I couldn’t convince her I was sixteen,” I fumed as soon as we were out of earshot.

“Well, you’re not,” said Michael unhelpfully.

I ignored him. “But she believed you were an adult and my brother.”

Michael just grinned. “I got you in, didn’t I?”

“Yeah, you did,” I admitted grudgingly. “So does that mean you’re going to help me after all?”

Before he had a chance to answer I heard someone call my name.

I looked around and my heart sank. Lucy was coming through the gate followed by her mother, aunt and five little cousins.

“Edda,” said Lucy coming towards me, beaming, “it’s great to see you, but I thought you had to go shopping today?”

“Um, Mum had to work,” I said. “So, change of plans.”

“Where’s your dad?”

“Home,” I said.

“Are you on your own?” Lucy asked, looking around. “You can always tag along with us.”

She spotted Michael, who was lurking a few feet away. “Oh,” she said. Her face took on that stiff look, like a mask, that she gets when her feelings are hurt and she’s trying to hide it. “I guess you’re still busy then.”

I felt so bad, I kind of hoped a hole would open at my feet and swallow me up.

“I’m really sorry,” I said. “It’s just that there’s something I have to do and Michael’s helping me do it.

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