A Raucous Time (The Celtic Cousins' Adventures) Read Online Free

paediatric department.
     
    He found Wren stomping up and down the children’s ward on crutches, his boot encased leg stuck out in front of him. Catching sight of Rhyllann, he waved wildly.
    ‘Annie – look at me.’
    He burst into a chorus of Jake the Peg, bouncing on the crutches. Rhyllann cringed; if Wren weren’t his cousin he would beat the crap out of him. A few of the other kids giggled, and the nurses clapped. Wren bowed theatrically.
    Dumpy little nurse Rita said: ‘You’re certainly much brighter!’
    Wren bowed again. ‘Can I go home now?’ He asked. Adding. ‘I can stay round my aunt’s house.’ Appealing to Rhyllann when she hesitated.
    ‘Annie – I can stay round your house can’t I? Aunt ‘Tricia won’t mind looking after me will she?’
    Caught off guard Rhyllann mumbled. ‘Yeah – course – no problem.’  
    ‘That’s settled then.’ Wren said with a huge grin, allowing Rita to help him back to a room just large enough to contain a single bed and cabinet. The ceiling remained the same height as the main ward, creating a disproportionate shrinking sensation. Rhyllann gritted his teeth. Once they were alone, he turned on Wren.
    ‘What the hell are you up to? You know very well …’
    Wren punched him. Hard.
    ‘I’ve got to get out of here. How long d’you think it’ll be before those men come looking for me?’
    Rhyllann studied him intently, and knew. ‘They’ve been here haven’t they? You’ve seen them again. Who are those guys? What do they want?’
    Wren crossed his arms and glared. ‘Are you going to help me, or am I going to tell Social Services about your Mum?’
    ‘You little toerag. You wouldn’t!’
    The mutinous look crumpled into one of exhaustion, Wren climbed onto the bed.
    ‘I’m sorry. Sorry Annie. Of course I wouldn’t. ‘
    Pretending not to notice the tears, Rhyllann perched next to him.
    ‘Brawd, you know my Mum ain’t here. I can’t get hold of her. I can’t even leave a message. The doctors aren’t gonna let me discharge you.’ Even though they were alone, Rhyllann spoke softly, in Welsh.
    Wren gripped his arm, eyes glistening with mischief this time.
    ‘What we need is a woman to wheel me out.’
    Rhyllann laughed. ‘Yeah right. Who shall we ask? Who shall we get to be Mummy?’
    He didn’t like the way Wren continued to smile at him, ducking his head to peer from under his fringe. Rhyllann shook his head.
    ‘Oh no – no way! We’ll never get away with it! Ow! Leggo!’ He yelped; as Wren grabbed his hair, twisting it into a pony tail.
    ‘Awwh – c’mon Annie! Where’s your sense of adventure?’ he giggled. ‘You know you’ve got the legs for it!’ Rhyllann slapped him away, drawing back.
    ‘Get lost!’
    Wren giggled again, then sobered. ‘Their busiest time is just after lunch, come then. All you need is a flowery top, jeans’ll be ok, maybe with a sparkly belt.’ He broke off, thinking.
    ‘Scarf. Wear a scarf round your neck. Some make up. Oh and carry a newspaper, Daily Mail – or a woman’s magazine.’
    Rhyllann stared. ‘You’ve given this some thought haven’t you?’
    Wren nodded happily. ‘Don’t forget to bring some clothes for me.’ He said closing his eyes.
     
    Rhyllann thought about putting a pillow over his head. It wasn’t fair. Life wasn’t fair. All his mates had normal families, brothers and sisters, aunts and uncles and cousins. He had Wren, Mum, Aunt Sarah and Gran. He didn’t count David, his step-father. No-one counted David though he supposed mum must see something in him.
    He almost envied Wren, snoring softly now. Okay, so he’d never known his real dad either, but at least he didn’t have to put up with an interloper.
    Rhyllann decided he might as well go home, and ring the school secretary with some half arsed excuse. With a shock he realised tomorrow was Friday, he’d been off school nearly all week. He really needed to get his life back on track. Rhyllann was almost out the room