Page 151 of Storm over the Caribbean
Then I cautiously lifted the cloth covering the basket—and a pungent smell spread throughout the tent.
“Eeew!” Liam pulled a face, jumping back. “What are you planning to make out of that? Rat poison?”
“Something like that,” I cheerfully agreed. Then, without bothering to check the exact contents of the basket, I sidled over to the smaller of the two pots in the tent and dumped everything inside. “Hahaha! Mwhahahaha!”
Liam took a step back, eyeing me apprehensively for some reason.
“Um…I’ll be going then.”
“Don’t you want something to eat for the way?”
The boy eyed the smaller of the two pots, which by now was making strange noises and expelling fumes in all colours of the rainbow. “Um…thanks, but no thanks.” Turning away, he started towards the exit. “I think I’d better just—”
“Squawk! Girl!” a familiar, rasping voice chose this moment to interrupt. “Girl dressing up in men’s clothes!”
I froze. Then, very, very slowly, I turned around to send a death-glare at a certain parrot.
Thank you, I mouthed.Thank you so much.
I swear that bloody bird looked smug! As soon as I found a way to get that cage open, I would have roasted parrot for dinner. Hurriedly, I turned to Liam to see if he had noticed anything, if he had heard the bloody bird and realized what was going on. I was expecting him to stare at me with wide open eyes, filled with shock. Instead, he was staring at the…parrot? Fearfully?
What, was he afraid of birds or something?
Well, that was weird. But leagues better than him suspecting my true identity.
“Ha, ha,” I said, somewhat forcefully. “Parrots say the weirdest things sometimes, right?”
“A-aye.” Liam gave a shaky nod. “The strangest things.”
“Are you all right? You don’t look so good.”
“A-aye. I’m fine. Perfectly fine.”
Then he whirled around and fled the tent, his face ashen.
Odd.
Shrugging, I turned away from the tent flap he had disappeared through and back towards the big, bubbling pot. Oh, well. Time to get back to work.
Several hours and lots of sweat and elbow grease later, I stepped back from the piles of bread I had just sliced. Now the only thing that was missing were the toppings, and everything would be ready for—
“Ships ahoy!” Came an excited shout from outside. “Ships ahoy! They’re coming back!”
And just in time, too, apparently. I couldn’t suppress the smile that slowly spread across my face. Excellent! My eyes swivelled to the bubbling little pot with my special surprise for today. Time to do my duty as a housewife and serve my loving husband dinner.
Ignorance Is Bliss Until You Get Stabbed
Have I mentioned before how marvellous Mr Ambrose’s face looks? Those high cheekbones, piercing eyes, the chin you could crack rocks on…
Well, suffice it to say that, all in all, he made a pretty picture.
But you know what looked even more amazing?
Mr Rikkard Ambrose trying to eat my cooking.
“Well, everyone? How is it?” Grinning broadly, I peeked over the men’s shoulders, placing one hand on Mr Ambrose’s shoulder, the other on that of the pirate on my other side.
“Perfect! Just perfect!” Taking a last huge bite of the roasted rabbit he was devouring, the pirate gave me a thumbs up.
