Where Peacocks Scream by Valerie Mendes

Author:Valerie Mendes
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: The Book Guild
Published: 2017-10-23T00:00:00+00:00

They ate the sandwiches and Jaffa cakes, and played cards for an hour while the guests chattered, laughed and ate. The smell of barbecued beefsteaks wafted into the shelter, making their mouths water. Then, suddenly, the noise subsided.

Daniel jammed his head against the branch and peered through it. Everyone had sat down, except for Dad, who stood facing the group. He cleared his throat.

“Ladies and gentlemen, a warm welcome to our meeting at The Riverside on such a beautiful afternoon. I’m delighted to see you all again and to play host for a few hours.” He paused. “I’m particularly delighted to introduce our speaker. Frank Jasper has been our honoured guest for the past few weeks. Many of you have already met him. He has an important announcement to make. As I have no idea what it is, I shall hang on his every word. Ladies and gentlemen, please, put your hands together for Frank Jasper.”

Obediently, everyone clapped.

Jasper rose to his feet. Daniel could see his flash of purple tie, the lock of slippery dark hair nestling on his forehead like a dying bird.

“Thank you very much indeed, Ralph, for your kind introduction.”

Daniel gave a silent groan. He realised how much he hated even the sound of Jasper’s voice, no matter what he said. The feathers of an angel, the voice of the devil.

“I want to talk a bit this afternoon about the place the brewery have in this country and particularly in Oxfordshire. But before I do, I have some excellent news.”

An expectant hush fell over the group.

“In a unique deal – and for a very large sum of money – the brewery have agreed to sell me this glorious plot of land. It’s known in local parlance as the island.”

Daniel gasped. Joshua, joining him on the steps, clutched his arm.

“As you can see, the island has been allowed to grow wild and free for nearly a quarter of a century. We’re using this bit of lawn, but for the rest of the year it’s merely home to birds, foxes, squirrels and the occasional deer. All that will change.”

Jasper bowed stiffly to the head of the brewery who sat in the front row.

“Thanks to your agreement, sir, a formal contract will be signed on Monday afternoon. From that moment, I shall begin to transform this wilderness into one of the most glamorous and exciting entertainment sites in Oxfordshire. Under my ownership, this piece of land will become an exclusive Champagne Garden: a place for private parties, evening concerts, celebratory lunches, weddings, anniversaries, special occasions of many different kinds.”

Daniel muttered, “Over my dead body.”

“I have so many ideas for this island that it’s impossible for me to spell them all out to you. Suffice to say that by September next year, I hope to reveal them by inviting you here for quite a different function, complete with champagne, peacocks and fireworks… A Grand Opening Ceremony.”

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