The Forgotten Pearl Read Free

the back of the house, chattering to Maude. Maude caught a glimpse of various spacious rooms through the windows – the sitting room, dining room and bedrooms – all stirred by the lazy whir of ceiling fans.
    â€˜That’s my room – I share it with my sister Bryony. She’s sixteen,’ whispered Poppy. Maude peeked through the window. One half of the room was spotlessly tidy; the other half was cluttered with overflowing baskets and tottering towers of books. A girl sat at the dressing table, carefully applying crimson lipstick. Her black hair wasmeticulously curled, and she wore a fashionable navy dress with padded shoulders and a nipped-in waist.
    â€˜She looks like a film star,’ Maude sighed, flicking her fringe out of her eyes.
    â€˜She tries!’ replied Poppy, rolling her eyes. ‘She’s sweet on a young officer named George, who’s started hanging around the house like a bad smell. She’s turned completely dopey. He’s always asking her to dances and picnics and the cinema, but Mum and Dad are quite strict.’
    Poppy slid her fingers under the partially opened window and opened it a crack.
    â€˜You’ll catch it if Dad sees you wearing bright-red lipstick like that!’ Poppy called through the opening.
    Bryony did not deign to answer, preferring to throw Poppy’s pillow at the window instead.
    Poppy continued along the verandah with Maude.
    â€˜My brother, Edward, ran away to be a soldier – he’s only nineteen, and Mum and Dad didn’t want him to join up. Dad was furious when he received the letter, but by then it was too late.’
    A small white-and-caramel dog bounded up and began licking Poppy vigorously, tail wagging. Maude held out her hand to be sniffed.
    â€˜This is Honey.’ Poppy stroked the dog’s head. ‘Isn’t she beautiful? Watch – she can do tricks.’ Poppy clicked her fingers and Honey jumped up on her hind legs. Poppy made a circular motion with her hand and Honey twirled around, pirouetting daintily.
    â€˜Oh, she’s gorgeous,’ cried Maude. ‘How did she learn to do that?’
    Poppy lowered her hand and Honey dropped, then sat up and begged. Poppy laughed, fished a dried biscuit from her pocket and fed it to Honey.
    â€˜I trained her. She can dance on her hind legs, roll over, play dead, beg and fetch, although Daisy says she drives her crazy constantly begging for snacks in the kitchen. I’ve had her since she was a tiny puppy. She loves to come everywhere with me.’
    â€˜Would she do it for me?’ asked Maude.
    â€˜Maybe – give it a try.’
    Maude copied Poppy’s gestures but Honey ignored her.
    Poppy laughed. ‘She’ll take her time to get to know you. Come on.’
    Poppy and Maude continued walking along the verandah towards the back of the house.
    â€˜We have to be careful with our animals. Dad’s last dog, Poncho, was eaten by a crocodile.’
    â€˜Nooo,’ exclaimed Maude. ‘You’re teasing me!’
    â€˜True as anything,’ Poppy retorted. She spat on her palm and crossed her heart. ‘The butcher’s horse was badly mauled drinking at the creek just a couple of weeks ago. It had to be shot. Sometimes they get people, too. Dad used to bring his shotgun down to the beach when we went swimming, just in case.
    â€˜They normally stay in the rivers and estuaries, but sometimes they swim out to sea for miles. Once, a huge croc tipped over Dad’s boat while he was fishing. Dad thought he was going to be croc dinner, but the stupid reptile ate Dad’s canvas tackle bag instead – Dad says he’s never swum so fast in his life.’
    Maude looked sceptical but didn’t argue.
    â€˜The bag probably stank to high heaven of rotten fish!’ suggested Poppy, pinching her nose comically.
    Poppy clattered down the verandah steps towards the garden, Honey at her heels. At the very back of the