Chapter 14

Wedding Bird

Outside the church, neighbours were waiting. Some held confetti. Some held rose petals. Others held rice to throw.

‘What’s the rice for?’ asked Art.

‘Same thing as confetti, but it doesn’t leave marks on the bride’s dress. And the cleaners don’t have to sweep it up afterwards.’ India knew lots of unusual facts.

‘Don’t they sweep up the rice?’

‘No. Birds eat the left-over rice.’

Mario smiled. ‘What if Mr.Snip-pets’ doves eat the rice now? Then they might drop on the bride! Then she’d want her money back.’

‘Does it cost a lot to hire doves to release at the weddings?’ asked Art. He hadn’t thought about that before.

‘$350,’said Mario quickly. ‘And the birds don’t even get pocket money.’

‘Haven’t seen many birds with pockets.’

Even Mario smiled at that. ‘They should be paid ... rewarded.’

‘Oh Mario!’ said Art and India together. ‘They were well fed and cared for. Anyway it takes ages to train them. You’re always thinking about money.’

That was true. Mario was still thinking about the reward money.

Mr. Snip-pets had said he would pay Mario after the wedding. Art didn’t know about that. After the bird market, Art had to run home because his dad was due back from a long trip.

Two old- fashioned cars with white ribbons in a V across the bonnets waited outside.

Organ music started.

The bride was coming out! She wore a long veil. Her new husband held her arm. They stopped in the doorway of the church.

The photographer’s flash went.

‘Isn’t she beautiful!’ said Mrs Next-Door, throwing rice.

Art looked closely. The bride was Melanie, Kylie’s big sister. But you couldn’t tell under all that make-up.Her veil blew across her face .When she lifted her hand to the veil, the sun glinted on a very big diamond engagement ring. It had spikes of gold. The bridesmaids followed the bride.

‘Aren’t they beautiful,’ said Mrs Next-Door.

‘Kylie’s not beautiful, ‘said Mario. “Not when she’s beating me at basketball.’

“She is today. She’s one of the bridesmaids.’

There were several bridesmaids. Kylie wore green. One wore blue. One wore lilac. Another wore lemon. And one wore a reddish-orange colour.

‘I hope the birds match,’ whispered India.

Art looked at the groomsmen in their black suits and white shirts.’ They look like penguins. Especially Kylie’s brother.’

‘Not them. The doves.’

Outside the church, the photographer fussed. He kept changing the lenses on his cameras. He put the wedding party into groups. The bridesmaids were arranged like a rainbow around the bride and groom. The parents were in the picture too. Guests fussed around, taking their own photos.

Mr.Snip-pets, dressed in his best dark suit, had the doves ready. They waited on a perch. Each pair matched one colour of the rainbow. Serena was on the top. She looked very soft and white.

‘Why don’t they fly away?’ Mrs. Next-Door threw the last of her rice.

‘They’ve been trained,’ said Mr.Snip-pets proudly.’They do what they are told.’

Art wondered if Serena understood all that. He looked at her.

Did birds smile? Or was it just her beak moving?

The photographer was ready. He nodded to Mr. Snip-pets.

Serena was placed gently in the bride’s hands. Her tail fanned out. Serena cooed. The bride smiled and clipped the bracelet around her arm to hold the bride in place.

But the photographer was still worried.

Then Mr. Snip-pets released the birds.

A yellow dove flew near Kylie. A lilac dove flew near the yellow dress of the other bridesmaid.

Are the doves colour- blind?’ asked Mario.

‘They don’t know they have changed colour,’ Art watched carefully.

‘Got a problem there,’said India. ‘The doves are trained to fly up. But since Mr. Snip-pets dyed them all colours,they won’t know which bridemaid’s dress to match.’

The wedding party laughed. They liked the rainbow doves flying around. So didi the photographer. Flashes from cameras. More confetti. While he kept shooting, Mr Snip-pets smiled proudly.

‘Hey, Art,’ whispered Mario.’ Just had an idea.’

‘What will it cost me? replied Art.

‘Nothing. D’you think that if the lilac –dyed bird drops on the bride, it will be lilac bird mess? ‘

India overheard.

‘No,’ she said sounding like an expert.

Art looked at her.’ Could you invent a bird toilet?’

‘Not necessary,’ said India. ‘There’s an island somewhere that’s all bird droppings. Can’t remember where I read that.’

‘But if you did invent a bird toilet, what would you call it?’

‘Bullseye, ’ said India quickly. They all laughed.

The birds had flown back to the shop. The wedding guests were getting into their cars. The bride and groom had left for their reception. Mr.Snip-pets was packing up. He put the bird crate back into the van. He was nearly finished. Only the white cage and perch were left to pack.

Art examined Serena’s white cage. There were white ribbons on the side.

‘Excuse me, Mr.Snip-pets. Could I ask you something about Serena’s cage?’

‘Of course. Didn’t Serena look beautiful in the wedding photos?’

‘Yes. Well, I guess so. I haven’t seen them yet.’Art was still thinking about the cage.’Was Serena in the cage last weekend?’

Mr.Snip-pets had to think.

‘Wait a minute. Serena was in the white cage on Monday morning. While I was cleaning up the big aviary. That’s where I keep her most of the time. Melanie, the bride-to-be ,came in to check on the details. She wanted to hold Serena for a practice. I let her open the cage.’

‘Ah!,’ said Art. ‘Was she wearing her engagement ring?’

‘I suppose so. I didn’t notice.’

‘It was a very big scratchy ring,’ Art smiled. ‘That’s where the scratches came from.’

Art liked to solve all his mysteries.

‘By the way,’ Mr.Snip-pets reached for his wallet.’ I have a little reward for you. Serena is important to me. I’d like you to become my Snip-pets sleuth. If any of my birds or animals go missing, I’ll call you. And thank you for finding her. Your friend Mario said he did it, but I think it was you. Sop share this three ways.’

Art thought he might add ‘bird detective’ after his name. Once he could spell it.