Red Feathery Trousers

Terence goes back inside.

Minnie is placing the beef pie into the oven.

Forty minutes, says Minnie.

Guess what? asks Terence.

Tell us, says Katherine. 

I might be getting a parrot, says Terence.

The one who just left? asks Gaius. 

No, a girl one, says Terence. A girl one called Prong.

She will be duller, says Gaius.

Gaius! says Katherine.

In colouring, says Gaius. The female superb parrot is a duller green than the male, with red thighs and pink patches on the tail feathers.

Red thighs! says Minnie. Sounds alarming.

It does, says Katherine. Who knew parrots had thighs?

Chickens do, says Margaret.

Must be tiny, says Katherine.

What are thighs? asks Terence.

These, says Katherine, patting hers.

They are tiny, says Gaius.

Thank you Gaius, says Katherine.

I didn't mean yours, Katherine, says Gaius. But if Terence does get a female parrot, we shall see for ourselves.

We shouldn't all stare at them, says Margaret.

No we shouldn't, says Minnie. Are they red all over?

No, just at the top, says Gaius. Like little red feathery trousers.

Terence is not sure he wants a girl parrot with little red feathery trousers.

When will she be coming? asks Katherine.

When her dad tells her to come, says Terence. When he sees her.

And he's sure that she'll come? asks Minnie.

No, he isn't but I am, says Terence.

Perhaps we should make sure she knows that she's welcome, says Minnie. Let's leave a protein ball on the front step near the flower pots.

Yes! says Terence.

Minnie goes to the pantry and returns with a protein ball, covered in seeds.

This might have made Terence sad, remembering Prawny trying a seed once and almost bouncing.

But he's forgotten all that.

He takes the protein ball and places it outside near a flower pot.

Inside, the beef pie is heating, delightful scents wafting into the garden.

Delightful to some. Not to parrots.

Terence closes the door. 

The sky darkens. 

And Prong does not come.