To read the story from the start go to: https://the-inkling.com/catch-up-with-the-inklings/
Festus came home from work a bit early on Tuesday so he could continue working on the ramps for Penny. India was anxious that he install them at her place no later than Wednesday because she wanted it to be all ready when Penny arrived home on Thursday.
When Festus opened the front door he could hear laughter so he walked towards the sound and discovered that Rose, India and Amanda were out the back. They were laughing because India had accidentally wiped paint on her face. Festus wondered what they were painting and then he noticed that it was the wheelchair ramps.
Rose was the first to notice Festus. “India wasn’t sure you’d have time to finish the ramps before tomorrow so we decided to do it ourselves” said Rose. “I know you were enjoying yourself, so I’m sorry. But India has plenty of other jobs for you if you are interested”
“Paid jobs, remember” said India. “Starting with a greywater system”
Festus had to suppress the urge to roll his eyes. He’d been expecting India to ask him for a greywater system ever since Rose had asked him for one. Festus was about to ask Amanda how she was going but she’d gone. Festus wanted to ask Rose about Amanda but decided to wait until India had gone home. Instead Festus went and washed his hands and started cooking dinner. He was craving extremely spicy beans.
Festus was washing some dried beans when Aminata started making an excited ‘Clink clink’ sound and flew over to the front window. Ousman soon came in the front door and Aminata jumped onto his shoulder. Ousman went to the kitchen to get a drink of water and looked surprised to see Festus there.
“Where’s my Mum?” asked Ousman.
Before Festus could answer Binta called out “I’m here” and Ousman went to find her.
After Festus put the beans on the stove to cook he could hear more laughing in the backyard and so he decided to go and join in the fun.
Festus could see that Binta, Ousman, Rose and India were all laughing at something in one of the trees. When Festus got closer he discovered that Aminata and three other galahs were sitting on a low tree branch, and all of the galahs were bobbing their heads.
Mamadou walked over with a handful of unshelled peanuts and gave them to Ousman saying “They like these – but just one each”
The galahs noticed the peanuts and bobbed their heads a bit faster.
Ousman reached up and gave Aminata a peanut, then cautiously handed one to each of the other galahs.
When the galahs had finished their peanuts they flew down to the shallow water in the pond beneath the water pump and had a bath.
The doorbell rang, which annoyed Festus because he’d been enjoying watching the galahs.
Aminata heard the doorbell and started imitating it, as if she was urging someone to go and answer the door.
“I’ll go” said Festus. He realised he should probably check on the beans anyway.
Festus turned the beans down low and then answered the door. He was greeted by two men in suits, one in a black suit and one in a grey suit. They both shook his hand and gave him their cards and when Festus realised that they were real estate agents he felt like slamming the door, but couldn’t because one of the men had his foot in the way.
“We have a client who is interested in buying the two vacant blocks next door because they have been rezoned to allow four storey developments. Out of courtesy he’d also like to offer to buy your property too” said the real estate agent in the grey suit.
Festus felt sick at the thought of such a large development next door but was fairly confident that Gina and Penny wouldn’t sell to anyone who wanted to ruin the street like that. Festus wasn’t so sure about Victoria and Graham though.
“Get out of here” said Festus and he shut the door so quickly that the grey-suited man had to jump out of the way. Festus watched from the window to make sure the men left, and noticed that on their way out they put a letter into the mailbox. Then they walked towards a giant white car and took out a laser measuring device and tripod and walked towards Gina and Penny’s burnt-out house.
Festus came outside to watch as the real estate agents started measuring Gina and Penny’s block. Festus checked the mailbox and saw that it had a letter with plans for a block of apartments.
Festus picked up a rock from the garden border and wondered how much trouble he’d get into if he threw if at the real estate agent’s car. Then he heard the familiar “Clink clink” sound of Aminata and saw that she and her three friends were sitting on the roof of the house and watching him. Festus wisely put down the rock and went inside to chop chillies.
The Inkling 