Out of the Ashes: Part 4

By MICHAEL MORPURGO

Dad was laughing a lot like he always does, and drinking too, but no more than anyone else. Mum kept telling him that he'd had enough and that he'd only have a thick head in the morning.

I hate it when she nags him like that, especially in front of other people. But Dad didn't seem to care. He was singing his heart out. He sang 'Danny Boy' and everybody cheered him. He loves to sing when he's happy.

Everyone was happy last night, including me. Jay and me went outside when the pub got too stuffy and smoky and we lay on the village green looking up at the stars. It was cold, but we didn't mind. The owl kept hooting at us from the graveyard.

Publisher: Macmillan

Price: $14.95

Age group: 8-12 yrs