The Golden Acorn by Catherine Cooper Page B

it would be something to do with food,’ chuckled Jack.
    ‘It’s his big weakness. In fact that was another reason why Nora was so cross. Instead of saying he was sorry he said he’d wished he eaten it all and giving it to the other birds was a waste of good pastry. He doesn’t like starlings, mainly because they can clear the bird-table of scraps before he gets there. He shouldn’t get annoyed. He’s not allowed on the bird table. It’s a bit of a sore point.’
    Elan opened a door at the top of the stairs.
    ‘When you get to the ladder give him a shout.’
    ‘I don’t think he likes me much.’
    ‘You could always try tempting him with some food. He’s not so crabby when his stomach’s full!’
    The only thing Jack had in his pocket was a half-eaten packet of mints he’d bought at the airport in Athens.
    Jack crossed the attic floor. He looked around but there didn’t seem to be any sign of Camelin. He heard a faint cough from somewhere above his head. At the far end of the attic was a rung ladder leaning against an opening in the roof.
    ‘Hello,’ shouted Jack.
    ‘What do you want?’ snapped Camelin. ‘If I’m not allowed downstairs I don’t see why you should be allowed up here.’
    ‘I thought we could talk.’
    ‘Well you thought wrong. I’m too hungry to talk.’
    ‘I’ve got some mints.’
    ‘I’m not usually allowed sweets but this is an emergency. Hand them over.’
    Jack fished in his pocket and brought out the mints. Camelin’s face appeared in the opening.
    ‘They smell good.’
    ‘I’m not sure you’ll like them. They’re extra strong.’
    Camelin started chuckling.
    ‘Always willing to sample anything new. You’d better come up.’
    Jack climbed up the small ladder and was impressed by the sight, which greeted him. Camelin’s room wasn’t the dark, dusty place the word ‘loft’ suggested. It was light and airy. Sunshine streamed in through a large round window creating a pool of light on the floor. In its centre was a furry cat basket with a beanbag bottom. The rafters were covered in shiny objects which glinted in the sunlight. The low roof meant that Jack had to shuffle through the opening and crouch down. He was grateful he wasn’t any taller. As he pulled himself into the loft his hand touched something sticky. It was then that Jack noticed the floor. He’d never seen such a mess. Empty sweet wrappers, crisp packets and ripped bags were strewn everywhere. What looked like an empty pizza box had been stuffed into the far corner.
    ‘You can have that if you want,’ said Camelin as he nodded towards the half-eaten yellow chew which was stuck to Jack’s hand. ‘It’s banana flavour.’
    ‘Thank you, but no,’ said Jack as he looked around for some means of getting rid of the sweet. He pulled over an empty paper bag and wiped it onto that.
    ‘Where’s the mints then?’ Camelin enquired as he hopped around Jack.
    Jack offered one to Camelin. Instead of taking it the raven grabbed the pack and skipped off to the cat basket. He ripped the paper off and scooped up the mints. Within seconds he shot out of the basket and hopped wildly around the loft. He stretched his wings out and flapped them towards his beak.
    ‘I’m on fire!’ he croaked.
    ‘I said they were extra strong,’ replied Jack trying not to laugh. ‘Spit them out.’
    The mints shot out of Camelin’s beak like rapid fire from a machine gun. They whizzed past Jack’s head and hit the back wall. For a moment Jack wondered if he’d been Camelin’s intended target.
    ‘I don’t need any more of them. They’re worse than chilli,’ gasped Camelin. ‘I’m going to need something nice after that.’
    ‘I haven’t got anything else.’
    ‘Well I’ll just have to break into my emergency rations,’ Camelin grumbled as he poked his beak inside a large wicker basket and began rummaging around.
    When he found what he was searching for he waddled over to the cat basket and settled down inside.