Free Billy and the Golden Gate by Emma Gowing Page A

fire.
    They serve Madge first. She looks at the assorted plates in astonishment. “Eh, where’d ye get all this from then?”
    Peter replies, “Here and there; here and there. Best tuck in, before it gets cold.”
    Madge starts to eat. She chews very slowly, very deliberately, savouring every element of taste. Her voice says, “Not bad,” but her face says:
it’s
the nicest
,
loveliest meal I’ve ever had
.
    Rufus, Peter, Billy and Daisy take a portion each, just enough and there is still food left in the pots and pans. They glance at Madge during their meal, eager to see her eat. She finishes everything.
    Peter says, “There’s lots more, will you have some more?”
    She nods.
    Rex runs in and barks, he’s just after smelling the food. As important as it is to keep that cat imprisoned in the tree, Rex is hungry. Rufus is halfway through his omelette and scone, when he sees Rex. He stops eating.
    â€œRex, here… here boy.” Rufus takes his plate and puts it on the floor. Rex scoots over and demolishes the rest of Rufus’s food in about thirty seconds. When he is finished, he gives the plate one last lick just in case. Then he runs back outside. The growling and barking resume. Rufus sighs. He looks at the pots but leaves his plate back on the table.
    Everyone except Madge has finished eating. Billy gets up and sorts out the berries that he picked earlier. He spoons them into a pot and adds a bit of sugar. He heats them gently over the fire. By the time they are heated up, Madge is done with her food and Billy fills five small dessert bowls with the berries. Daisy pops them down on the table, serving Madge first.
    â€œWell then, what’s dis?” Her lips glisten and when she swallows her first spoon of dessert, her face glows in complete ecstasy. Billy smiles.
    The sweetened berries are delicious.
    When all are finished eating, Rufus and Peter clear up the dishes, bringing them to the sink and using the remaining hot water to wash up. Peter washes; his glasses fog up from the steam as he scrubs and cleans. From time to time, Rufus hands him back a few of the plates where he’s missed a bit.
    Daisy skips outside to check the sheets and clothes that she washed. They are bone dry though they feel really cold. The wind has done its job.
    â€œBilly!” she calls out. “Billy, I want to dress the bed.”
    Seconds later, Billy is beside her. They gather up everything and bring it to Madge’s bedroom. The clothes are neatly folded and stacked in the bedside locker. The sheets are straightened out and the bed made. It gleams. Daisy smiles, proud as punch.
    â€œMadge, your bed’s made.”
    Madge looks at her and grumbles. “Sure it was grand,” she says. Daisy ignores her; she keeps smiling.
    With the house cleaned it takes on a comfortable cosy air, but the best thing is how Daisy, Peter, Rufus and Billy feel, which is good. Rex is still in a mood and barking away as Grimsby stares down at him – he’s not budging.
    Billy hears the bell; it has started tinkling in his bag.
    â€œTime for us to go,” he says.
    The four of them gather their coats, hoodies, helmets, bags and prepare to head off.
    Madge says, “Mind yer dun’t break nothin’ on yer way out.”
    Billy turns to her. “There’s food still in those pots, so make sure you eat it later when you are hungry. It will keep you good, and there’s lots and lots of firewood – keep warm,” he says simply, clearly.
    Madge looks directly at Billy. “Mind yourself and those friends of yours, young Billy Spade.” She is almost glowing, must have been the nettle soup.
    Billy nods. When the four of them are outside, Daisy says, “How did she know your name?” She thinks for a moment. “Bet there’s just a bit of witch in her.”
    â€œWell, either way, I’m just really glad we helped her Daisy. You were