Free Marooned in Manhattan by Sheila Agnew

look very like his brother. Greg has sandy brown hair brushed forward and green eyes and a dimple in his left check, which is wasted on a boy. He is very cute in a could-be-in-a-boy-band kind of way. Finn’s hair and eyes are dark and he looks like the type of boy who makes fun of boy bands.
    ‘Hi, I’m Evie,’ I said, holding out my hand, forgetting that the kids in New York don’t shake hands, but Greg didn’t seem to mind.
    He shook my hand anyway.
    ‘I know,’ he said. ‘You’re the one that took on the bully dirt bags in the park, three to one, right?’
    ‘What’s that?’ asked Scott.
    ‘Nothing,’ I said hastily and I smiled meaningfully at Greg who got the point straight away.
    ‘What’s up with Dr Pepper?’ Scott asked.
    Greg hesitated.
    ‘He’s not really sick. He hasn’t been throwing up or anything but he seems to be itchy.’
    ‘Rabbits actually can’t throw up,’ Scott said.
    ‘Wow,’ I said, ‘lucky rabbits! I hate the feeling of puking.’
    Scott and Greg lifted Dr Pepper out of his cage.
    ‘Why did you get a rabbit?’ I asked as Scott began to examine Dr Pepper.
    Greg grinned.
    ‘My Dad’s a shrink and he had one of his shrink theories that it would be good for Finn and me to have pets while he and Mom got divorced. We both really wanted a dog, a Rhodesian ridgeback, but neither of our parents wanted the hassle of a dog, so they bought us a parrot and a rabbit instead. I was so mad at first; when you want a dog, a dumb bunny rabbit doesn’t really cut it. But when I got to know Dr Pepper, I realised he has this amazing personality.’
    I glanced at the black rabbit sitting motionless on the table except for an occasional scratch. He didn’t seem to be brimming with charisma.
    ‘My sister, Alicia, that’s Evie’s mom, had a pet rabbit when we were kids,’ said Scott. ‘He was called Tiger and he used to follow her around like a dog. Alicia brought him to visit me one weekend at college and he became a mascot for our hockey team.’
    ‘Ice or field?’ Greg asked.
    ‘Definitely ice,’ said Scott.
    ‘I play with the Rangers Youth League,’ said Greg. ‘I can’t wait for it to start up again in the fall.’
    ‘Can girls play?’ I wondered.
    ‘Sure!’ said Greg. ‘Can you skate?’
    ‘I can roller-skate, but I’ve never been ice-skating,’ I answered.
    ‘A bunch of us play at the rink at Chelsea Piers during thesummer. You should come with us sometime.’
    ‘Ok, thanks,’ I said.
    ‘I’ll hunt out my old boots,’ said Scott, although he had not been invited.
    ‘Back to Dr Pepper. Have you taken him anywhere different lately?’ Scott quizzed Greg.
    ‘I brought him to a kids’ pet show and competition in Westchester at the weekend. A pet snail took first prize. Beaten by a stupid pet snail! That’s not even a real pet.’
    Greg looked astounded.
    ‘Dr Pepper didn’t walk away with the prize but he did pick up something – fur mites,’ Scott explained. ‘I’ll put some flea powder on him and give you some more. You can dust him with it again in ten days, so we can be sure they are gone.’
    ‘Thanks, Dr Brooks,’ Greg said, glancing affectionately at Dr Pepper, still scratching and wrinkling his nose.
    I could swear Dr Pepper winked at me.
    ‘Did you see that?’ I said.
    ‘See what?’ asked Scott and Greg at the same time.
    ‘Nothing.’
    I scratched Dr Pepper’s ears.
    ‘He’s growing on me,’ I said and Greg smiled.

Chapter 11
    I had a crappy day. It started off okay, with the sun peeping in my bedroom window and the sounds of Scott singing badly while making French toast in the kitchen. Then I heard voices and I knew Leela must be with him. Usually when she stays over, she’s gone before I get up as she’s always going to meetings called breakfast networking. I had forgotten today was Saturday.
    ‘Come and get it!’ Scott yelled.
    I sighed and reluctantly pulled on the green and purple kimono robe Kylie had given me because she is