Part 9 (1/2)
”Go get the ball, Paul, please,” John called.
John walked down toward the stream to check that Paul would make an effort to retrieve the ball. Paul ran toward the stream in a slow lope. By the time he was even halfway there the ball rolled down the bank into the stream.
”Dad!” Elizabeth stamped her foot. ”Dad! It's gone in the water.”
”Don't worry, hon. Paul will get it.”
”He'll get it off me if it's ruined.”
The current was faster than Paul antic.i.p.ated. It whisked the yellow moon ball away downhill to the house.
”Get it, you idiot,” Elizabeth told him.
”I'm trying, I'm trying.”
John watched Paul run after the ball as it bobbed downstream. If anything he and the two girls were enjoying the chase. All three now ran after the ball, shouting advice to each other on how best to rescue it.
”Get a stick!” Emm shouted.
”No, he can go in for it,” Elizabeth countered. ”He's not got his shoes on, so he's OK.”
”I hope he falls in.”
Elizabeth sang out with glee, ”So do I.”
John walked briskly along the stream, following them.
”Paul, you're going to be too late,” Emm squealed.
”It's going to get swallowed up.”
”I'm trying my best,” Paul protested.
John watched as the yellow ball swung out on the current then back again, as if teasing the three into following. There the stream wasn't at all wide. In fact, at a pinch (and with a slight risk of crotch strain) John could span the stream by standing with one foot on either bank. Only as the channel narrowed the water's speed quickened. So, it didn't come as any real surprise to John that the ball moved even faster. In no time at all it approached the stone arch in the side of the house. There the millrace ran under the building before it would strike the blades of the waterwheel.
Elizabeth squealed ”Paula geddittt!”
But he was too late; the ball plunged into the mouth of the tunnel. A second later it vanished into darkness beneath the house.
”Paul!” Both girls were outraged by his failure.
”It was too quick for me,” he protested. ”I couldn't keep up with it.”
”You can buy me another one, Paul.”
”Don't worry,” John told them walking up. ”The stream comes out at the other side of the house. We'll be able to find the ball there.”
Emm shook her head. ”That ball's gone forever now.”
”You'll get it back, Liz.” John smiled. ”The stream runs under the house just for a few yards, that's all.”
”No.” Emm spoke with certainty, her eyes large and solemn looking. ”The ball's gone forever now. Lost.”
With an angry walk Elizabeth marched round the house to the other side. John followed along with Paul and Emm. The channel broadened again after the stream disgorged from the house, slowing the water right down to a gentle flow.
”I don't see it,” Paul said.
”Neither do I,” Elizabeth added bitterly. ”My moon ball. They only had one left in the supermarket and now it's gone.”
”Wait a minute,” John suggested. ”It might still be working its way through under the house.”
All four stared at the archway where the waters tumbled out, after travelling the few yards of inky darkness beneath the house.
Val appeared. ”Any joy?”
Paul shrugged.
Elizabeth scowled at the water then at Paul.
Emm said, ”Lost.”
John tried to sound optimistic. ”Give it a little while. It might appear yet.”
”It won't.” Emm folded her arms. ”I knew it wouldn't come out again.”
”Why not?” Paul asked with a touch of irritation.
”Because,” she said in a low voice, ”Baby Bones has got it now.”
Val raised a questioning eye at John.
”Baby Bones?”
John replied with a shrug that said Don't ask me.
”Did you hear that, stupid?” Elizabeth shot a savage look at Paul. ”Baby Bones has got it, and he never gives anything back.”
”Who the h.e.l.l's Baby Bones?”
Val shot him a withering look that was a pure clone of Elizabeth's. ”Paul? Language.”
”Paul, you can buy me another ball.” With that Elizabeth marched away. Emm followed.