Phelius Continues

2nd extract from the Flagstone novel. Enjoy and don't forget to give a click on some of the adverts on my blog. Thnak you.

Chapter One

It was 8.15 and time for school. Somewhere beyond the door, Phelius could hear the first sounds of his younger sister, Cayleigh, as she screeched for her Choco flakes and warm milk. His mother’s voice was singing through the halls of the small house, as she and Cayleigh entered the kitchen. His mother called out to him to rise and shine. ‘The day awaits you, Phelius, a day filled with adventure, fun, and frolics.’ Smiling at his mother’s cheeriness, Phelius turned his eyes to the computer on the desk beneath his posters. The little email icon was flashing. Rising from his warm bed, he clicked on the envelope and waited until the email opened.

Dear friend,

We at the institute of animal welfare would like to thank you for your recent donation of €10. As you know, we at the institute give all contributions to various conservation efforts around the world. Our records show that you have donated to us before and as a way of saying thank you, we would like to invite you to the unveiling of Dublin Zoo’s newest arrival, a male white lion. Your tickets are at this moment travelling via An Post to your home. We look forward to seeing you at the Zoo.

Lionel Tuscan

 “Phelius, it's time for school, come on.” The shrill sound of Cayleigh’s voice echoed up the stairs. Phelius picked up his school bag. It contained two books and the rest of the space was taken up with a small digital camera, notebooks, and a guide to Irish wildlife. Sitting next to a picture of him and his uncle was a small green frog. Phelius smiled as he remembered the day the picture had been taken. It was a cold winter’s day in January. His uncle had brought him to an Avery in County Wicklow to see a new Snowy Owl. The young owl had perched itself on top of his blonde hair, thinking it was a nest. Grabbing up the frog, Phelius stuffed it into his pocket.

“Mam, I got an invite to the unveiling of the new lion in Dublin zoo this week, can we go?” Sitting at the table in the kitchen was his Mother and Cayleigh. Both were eating cereal and watching morning TV. Pouring cereal into a bowl, he watched his mother’s smile grow.

“Your uncle has already sent tickets for the new lion, but its tomorrow, not later this week.” Phelius’ eyes widened as his mother told him the news. “The lion is being introduced to the media tomorrow.” Phelius whooped with joy at the news. Leaping from his seat, he threw his arms around his mother and kissed her on the cheek. Cayleigh saw him move towards her and stumbled out of her chair before he could kiss her too.

“Mam, tell Phelius to stop acting weird, it’s only a lion. Will we get to see the horses tomorrow?” Cayleigh skirted the table, avoiding Phelius as he chased her around.

“Come on, it’s time we left for school.” Grabbing his bag, Phelius raced out into the drive and hopped into the car. The drive to school was lined by trees wearing the orange glow of autumn’s coat. The long winding country roads were always quiet at this time of day, with only the occasional tractor trundling along to the creamery or the odd lorry delivering feeds to the farms. Phelius stared at the blur of autumn as it shot by the car window and then as the car began to slow he saw the long black railing that encased the grounds of his school. Their car pulled in behind the other cars dropping kids at school gate.

“Bye.” Cayleigh’s voice shrieked as she got out of the car to greet with her friends. Phelius searched the grounds of the school before getting out. Turning he smiled at his mum.

“You’re collecting us this evening?” His mum nodded as she grinded the car into gear. “See you at three.” Closing the door, Phelius turned and trudged off towards the school gate. The shrieks and shouts of a school yard at play filled his senses as he walked to the large brown wooden doors leading into the heart of the school. A group of boys were standing near the doors laughing and joking. Their sneering fell silent as Phelius came close.

“Hey, G.I Jane, you got my money?” A tall boy with a shaven head stepped from the group and poked Phelius in the chest. Maurice Ryan, the local school yard bully. “Well?” Phelius looked up at the glistening sweat on his head as Maurice moved closer. He could get the smell of week old sweat and his foul smelling breath.

“What money!” Phelius fingered the small green frog in his pocket and smiled up into the blue eyes of Maurice.

“What money? You hear that lads?” Maurice grabbed him by the collar pulling him close to his face. “The money you won on that English competition for best story. Everyone said my story was better than that crap you wrote. My little lion...” Slipping his hand from his pocket, Phelius pushed at Maurice’s hands trying to break the bully’s hold. “Ah now, behave yourself.” Maurice pushed Phelius back, knocking him to the ground. “My money, Jane, where is it?”

“In my pocket, let me up and I’ll give it to you.” Lifting himself off the ground, Phelius pulled the small frog from his pocket and squeezed. A jet of back liquid squirted from the frog’s mouth striking the bully in the face. Grabbing his bag, Phelius ran through the school doors.          

“Mister Flagstone, no running in the school corridors, if you please!” Mister Coffey stood at the end of the stairs leading up to the teachers’ lounge, hands on his hips. “Ah, Mister Maurice Ryan, the very man I was looking for, come with me.” Turning around, Phelius watched as Maurice stood behind him, a grim look on his face as his name was called out. Phelius smiled at him and watched as fury bubbled on the bully’s face. “I’ll see you after school, G.I Jane...”