While the Storm Rages by Phil Earle

Author:Phil Earle [Earle, Phil]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Andersen Press Ltd
Published: 2022-04-07T00:00:00+00:00

34

They ate, grateful to Samson for putting a little bit of variety on the menu.

They were thankful for Big Col’s fish of course but as this wasn’t their first serving of the day, the foraged apples slid down a treat, and the donkey practically shuddered with delight at the neck scratches he received from Noah as they digested their meal. Samson’s discovery had inspired Clem too, and she scampered into the nearest hedgerows to Noah’s bemusement.

‘She probably needs the lav,’ laughed Big Col, only for him to eat his words when she returned with handfuls of the sweetest, ripe berries.

‘I wouldn’t have thought of it if it wasn’t for Samson,’ and she offered the donkey one, which he sniffed at, nibbled, then sneezed out in disgust.

It was amazing what a full belly could do to improve the outlook. The berries managed to be both sweet and tangy, and the juice in them made them momentarily forget that they would soon be out of clean water to drink. It was enough to allow them to sit a while and reflect.

‘We should plough on,’ Noah said, eventually. He could see though that tiredness was setting in, most of the troupe looked exhausted. The kittens were the only exception: they seemed to want to do nothing but play. It may have been their increasing familiarity with the children, but they were definitely showing a more mischievous side to their personalities: one that was difficult to control.

As Big Col reluctantly made to stand, one of them launched himself at his backside, grabbing on to his shorts and making the boy recoil so violently it was clear that its claws had made contact with flesh. It would’ve been comical had Big Col not been so angry, swinging his hips from side to side as the kitten hung on for grim death. Finally dislodging the cat didn’t help either, as the second one saw this as their opportunity to join in the fun.

‘For Pete’s sake!’ screamed Big Col, his face such a collage of scarlet and crimson anger that Clem and Noah felt compelled for their own safety, as well as the kittens’, to help. Not that they did much good. It merely stirred the devil up in the kittens and they skittered around the bank, avoiding every attempt to round them up. Not even the lure of the fish bones enough to bring them under control. By the time they were, finally, back in hand, all three of the children were saturated with sweat.

Noah had a thought. Big Col actually said it out loud.

‘Are we really going to take these blasted cats all the way with us?’

‘We don’t have a choice, do we?’ Noah replied. ‘They’re just babies.’

‘They’re a flipping nuisance, and unless you can control them, it’s going to be a nightmare, you mark my words.’

‘It won’t be that bad,’ Noah said, though he didn’t believe it after what he’d just experienced. ‘Anyway, it can’t be that far now.’

‘How far?’ It was clear Big

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