Whetū and her mother spent a good few hours unloading their things from the car and getting everything settled. The cottage was very dusty, and Whetū was given the job of going over things with a large pink feather duster. Dusting the furniture was easy enough, but the ornaments on the mantelpiece didn’t like it at all.
The porcelain goose girl got the giggles when Whetū tickled her with the duster, and ran around in circles squealing with laughter. When Whetū tried to clean the clock, its hands went round and round, faster and faster, and only stopped when she did. Unfortunately, the hands were stuck on the wrong time and Whetū couldn’t work out how to put them right. The spotted china dog growled and tugged at the duster, spitting pink feathers everywhere, and the little wooden Māori boy jabbed her with his carved taiaha whenever she went anywhere near him.
Eventually she finished dusting the living room and wandered into the kitchen for something to eat. Her mother was washing dirty vases in the sink. Whetū chose a shiny red apple from the bowl on the table and sat down.
“Mum,” she said, taking a big bite of her apple. “Don’t you think there are a rather lot of weird things going on in this house?’
“Yes,” said her mother. “But it does belong to a magician, after all. Does it frighten you?”
“Nor me. I think it’s all very interesting.”
Mum yanked the plug out of the sink and the water went down the drain with a gurgle. There was silence for a moment, and then the sink let out a terrific burp. Whetū and her mother looked at each other and giggled.
“Mind your manners,” Mum said, giving the sink a swat with the tea towel.
“I’ll be going out soon,” said Whetū.
“Out where?”
“Exploring the farm. The magician’s stage assistant said he’d show me around. His name is Errant. Isn’t that a funny name?”
“Do you know what it means? It means ‘misbehaving’. You’d better keep an eye on Errant and make sure he doesn’t get you into trouble.”
A loud knock at the back door startled them both. Mum swung the door open. Errant sat on the doorstep with a red rose between his teeth. When he saw Mum he stood on his hind legs and made a graceful bow.
“Isn’t he sweet!” cooed Mum. She bent and took the rose. “What a handsome fellow!”
“I am enchanted to make your acquaintance, madam,” said Errant.
Mum blinked in surprise, but recovered quickly. “Er … likewise.”
“Mum, this is Errant,” said Whetū, sliding off her stool. “I’ll see you later.”
Mum gave her a kiss and muttered in her ear. “Remember what I told you.”
Whetū smiled and slipped out the door, pausing just long enough to put on her red gumboots. Her mother was such a worrier. How much trouble could a little rabbit be?