23 The Big Day

23 The Big Day The early-morning light came streaming in through the barred window of the room where the girls had been sleeping. Peanut opened her eyes and was greeted with a close-up view of Little-Bit's smiling face about three centimetres away from her own. 'At last!' giggled Little-Bit. 'I thought you'd never wake up, sleepyhead!' Five minutes later, the sisters were dressed and standing in the corridor knocking on their brother's door. Leo answered, bleary eyed. 'HAPPY BIRTHDAY, BIG BROTHER!' shouted Peanut and Little-Bit, before shoving eighteen giant hand-drawn balloons into his room.

'Thanks, girls. You, er, shouldn't have,' he said, stumbling backwards as he attempted to catch the balloons. 'I also painted this for you,' said Peanut, handing him a beautiful watercolour cake. 'Aw, Top-knot, this is amazing. It looks delicious!' said a delighted Leo. ' Well, looks can be deceiving. You haven't tasted it yet,' she replied sheepishly. 'HAPPY BIRTHDAY, LEO!' sang two more voices in unison, as the children's parents followed the girls into the room. ' Awww, I can't believe my little boy is eighteen!' said Mum. 'Feels like it was only yesterday that I was changing your nappies.' 'Yeah, and it must be at least a week since you stopped doing that!' Peanut said, laughing. Leo grabbed his sister in a playful headlock and ruffled her hair. Ooh, Dad. Nice haircut!' said Little-Bit. ' Yes,' said Mum. 'I gave him a little trim this morning. Couldn't help myself. Made him shave too. Nice to be able to see his face again. And what a lovely face it is.' She then gave him a huge kiss, full on the lips, much to the children's embarrassment. 'Ewww, gross!' squealed Little-Bit.

'Ugh, get a room, guys,' said Peanut, blushing. Leo turned his head the other way. 'So, I guess you two have made up?' he asked through gritted teeth. Dad laughed and wiped away Mum's lipstick. ' Sorry, kids. It's just that, y'know, we haven't seen each other for a long time. Anyway, many happy returns, Leo. I'm so proud of you, young man.' Mum began cutting the painted birthday cake into slices and placing them on the pastel-drawn plates that Peanut had brought in. 'Where's Rockwell then? Still asleep?' she asked. ' No. He, er, had to head home actually,' said Peanut. 'I think he needed to see his mum.' 'Yes, of course.' Mum nodded. 'I'm sure she's been wondering where he's been. Shame he's going to miss the party, though.' Peanut and Little-Bit shared the briefest of glances just as Mr Markmaker and Doodle appeared at the door. ' Morning, everybody,' Mr M bellowed, cheerily, as the dog ran in and jumped onto Leo's bed. And huge felicitations to you, Leonardo. Ooh, is that cake?' He grabbed a slice and took a big bite. ' Mmmm, interesting flavour. You wouldn't necessarily think that liver and onions could work in this context, and yet

here we are. ' He put the remainder of the cake down and wiped the corners of his mouth. 'So, are we all ready to head down to the lake? The citizens are already starting to gather and it's all getting rather jolly. Millicent is holding the lift for us.' 'Oh, I think we can do better than the lift,' said Peanut, pointing to her bandolier of art supplies. After all, a special ceremony like this deserves a special entrance.'