The Kuthun Read Free

Old Olsen contains magic.
    Up ahead I see Uncle Jo standing in front of what appears to be a vintage bike and my heart picks up pace.
    ‘Hey, what’s going on here?’ I ask excitedly.
    ‘Well, I figured that since you are sixteen now, and seeing as you run almost everywhere, that it may be time for a change,’ he says smiling.
    My eyes take in the old looking bike worn with age. Its fat brown seat and wide gripped handle bars creating images of happy, old nuns riding through the hills with their habits waving in the breeze. Its light blue paint is chipped in places exuding a rustic feel, but overall the bike looks like it has been looked after by its previous owner. There is a big wicker basket on the front that is nostalgic of the nineteen-forties—my favourite era, and the pannier rack on the back is wide enough to double dink Phoebe if she was willing.
    ‘Is this a Schwinn?’ I ask him surprised.
    ‘Yep,’ he says with a smirk of pride.
    ‘But…how did you know I was looking at these?’ I ask.
    The Schwinn bike is the one Audrey Hepburn was riding when she made the movie
Sabrina
. Ever since I saw that movie two years ago I’ve been wanting one, but the cost of an original was way past my allowance amount for the entire year.
    ‘You can thank Phoebe for that.’ He winks.
    I touch the brown handle bars and squeeze, running my hand along its painted body in appreciation of something this old.
    ‘Thank you,’ I say, feeling slightly embarrassed at the generous gift.
    He clears his throat. ‘You’re welcome. Not a lot of these bikes around but your aunt wouldn’t give up until she found it. Apparently she’s a bit of an eBay whizz.’ He looks off to where Aunt Lily is standing near Old Olsen. She waves.
    I wave back. ‘Thank you, Aunt Lily!’ I yell. She blows me a kiss and heads inside.
    ‘So do you want me to drop you off to school or what?’ he asks.
    I smile at him. ‘Not today. I’m going to ride Billie here.’
    ‘Billie?’ He looks at the bike and nods in approval. ‘I like it. Well she’s all ready to go. New tyres, oiled chain, and I installed a new bell for you as I knew you would like its quirky appeal.’ He smiles at me, showing off his laugh lines.
    ‘I love it!’ I grin, taking my bag off my back and placing it into the basket. Magi is sniffing around, tail wagging at my excitement. ‘Sorry, Mags, you can’t come. I’ll see you later this afternoon,’ I tell her as I scratch her on the head. Her ears fold down in disappointment.
    I place myself into the seat and its over-sized springs cushion my weight. Kicking the stand of the bike with my foot I ring the bell once to signify my first venture out.
    Uncle Jo laughs. ‘Be careful and I’ll see you later today.’
    I smile and push off, heading down the gravel driveway towards the gate. I make a left turn down the laneway, heading towards Phoebe’s house, the wind lightly tickling my face and the vibrant colours of the surrounding hills rushing past me as I pick up speed.
    I pull into Phoebe’s driveway a short while later, ringing the bell as I do, and I look up to see her peering out from her upstairs bedroom window. She mouths the words—
holy crap balls
—which is her usual sentiment to anything exciting and then she disappears from view. The next thing I know she is hurtling out her front door with all the grace of a full-speed penguin with curls.
    ‘Whoa! Is this what I think it is?’ she asks excitedly, her gap-toothed grin beaming at me.
    ‘Thanks to you,’ I say.
    She gives me a big hug and whispers happy birthday in my ear. I gently pull her off me. ‘Thanks, Phoebs. Now get on and we’ll ride to school today.’
    She cocks one eyebrow sassily. ‘Are you serious? I could die on that. And where would I sit?’ she asks, a little confused as to how we could accomplish such a task.
    ‘Come on, you can ride on the pannier rack side saddle. It’ll be old school romantic.’ I swoon at her, fluttering my