CHAPTER 33

Rhino is so huge and magnificent, Evie knows it’s going to be difficult to contain him.

She stares at the ploughing harnesses hanging on the stable wall. She touches them. They haven’t been in use for a long time but they are still strong. She remembers the plough being pulled by two enormous Clydesdales. She heaves on the harnesses, letting them fall to the ground. They’re heavy and land with an almighty clank.

Albine and the ladies scatter and Simon and Mini start to hoot, the loud noise alarming them. They swing down from the loft and clamber onto Rhino’s back, pointing at the chains on the ground.

“It’s all right, Simon and Mini,” says Evie, reassuring them as she checks the stable door to make sure no one else heard the noise. It’s been three days since the morning of wild mayhem and all has been forgiven between Evie and the little monkeys. They seem more settled with life at Lunar House. When Evie goes into the stables in the mornings, they’re always snuggled in their blanket in the loft. They then happily follow her around and help out where they can. When she tells them to “shush” and stay put, they do. She’s not sure how long it will last, as they are, after all, cheeky monkeys.

“Come on, Rhino. We’ve got to make this work.”

Rhino stands chewing on his pink gums, as Evie attempts to harness him into the contraption, minus the plough. He doesn’t mind having chains draped all over him. He even has a little snooze while waiting for Evie to finish whatever it is she’s up to, and lets Simon and Mini poke around in his hairy ears.

Evie peers around the stable door again to make sure nobody is around. She shuts the monkeys in and leads Rhino down the paddock toward the creek. The chains clunk and clank in time with Rhino’s gait and Evie breathes a sigh of relief. This might actually work.

The creek is a long way from the house and not in view through any of the windows. Evie loops the chains around a tree beside the creek and sits and watches Rhino rub his horn on it and nibble at the bark. She rubs her hands together, which are now not only full of splinters, but blistered from handling the chains.

She steals back to the stables for food and water. The tree will provide Rhino with adequate shelter and if he eats all the lucerne, he can graze on grass until she returns tomorrow with more food.

Evie’s halfway down the hill when she sees a flash in the corner of her eye. She spins around to see Simon and Mini dart past her.

“You two are so naughty,” says Evie. She lets them go. She doesn’t mind the little monkeys coming with her. They do love an outing.

When they arrive at Rhino’s tree, Simon and Mini climb high into the branches, peering down at her with serious eyes. She smiles up at them, letting them know she’s not cross.

Evie and the little monkeys remain with Rhino for the afternoon, chatting and playing.

“Now, you must stay hidden, Rhino. Otherwise, George will take you to the zoo in Melbourne. And you don’t want to go there, trust me. I’m doing this for you. When George leaves, I’ll set you free again and that could be very soon.”

At twilight, Evie grabs Rhino by his furry ears and kisses him goodnight.

“I promise I’ll see you in the morning. Come on, little ones.” Evie calls Simon and Mini. They swing down to the ground and she holds her arms open to them, but they hesitate. They keep running from Rhino then back to Evie, until Rhino shakes his head at them, snorting.

Simon and Mini hang their heads and clamber into Evie’s arms. She cuddles them and carries them, one on each hip, back up the hill to the stables.

As Rhino rubs his rump against the rough bark of the tree, he ponders the reasons why the golden-haired child is behaving so strangely. Her eyes are darting, her pulse is racing and there’s a desperate edge to her voice. He wishes he could persuade her otherwise. So he lets her drape him in heavy irons and walk him down the paddock to the creek. The stink of mud is delightful and delectable, and he considers leaping in. But she coils the irons around the tree like a python. If she thinks this will contain him, she is sadly mistaken. The human child knows little of his strength but he realizes he’s never exerted it before in front of her. It might be time to do so. He huffles, thinking about the warm fug of the stables. He has become accustomed to comfort. But for now, he will stay here as she bids. He is uncommonly loyal. But the monkeys are unhappy. He tosses his head at them, reassuring them he shall return in due course, probably when he becomes hungry.

Cook stops Evie in the doorway of the kitchen and gives her the eye. She tut tuts as she reaches forward and touches her stockings, checking to see if they’re dry. “Where on earth ’ave you been, child? Yer been gone all bleedin’ afternoon.”

Evie whips her hands behind her back so Cook can’t see them. “I’ve been looking for Rhino. He’s gone missing again.”

George appears with a concerned expression on his face. “Oh, no, he hasn’t has he?”

“He’ll be somewhere around ’ere,” Cook says to both Evie and George. “Do not fuss yerselves. Now, I need to take Mr Duffer a cup of tea,” she says. “I’ll ask ’im to take a look fer the daft thing. Go an’ wash up, Evie. It’s almost dinnertime.”

George pats Evie on the shoulder. “He won’t be far away, Evie.”

“As if a rhinoceros can git lost?” mutters Cook as she heads off to find Mr Duffer. “Can’t the monstrous, great thing look after itself?”

Evie’s hands are tender and she winces as she washes them for dinner. She pushes them deep into her pockets before visiting Grandpa in the study. He’s in his wing chair reading by the fire. Albine perches on the opposite chair, and Claudette and Florette are in the bookshelves.

“Albine and I have been wondering what you’ve been up to all afternoon, Evie.” Albine burk burks as if to confirm this fact and Evie’s face breaks into a small, sad smile. Grandpa holds his arms out to her.

Evie climbs up onto his lap and rests her head on his chest. She can smell bran and molasses and smoke and ink. All things safe. She closes her eyes and counts his steady heartbeat. She wants to tell him the truth, about where she’s hidden Rhino and about the monkeys. She wants to, but she can’t. She has to carry this out, she must stay the course if she’s to protect Rhino.

“Rhino has disappeared. I’ve looked for him everywhere.”

“Goodness, again? I’m sure he’ll turn up. He’s like a homing pigeon, isn’t he? He won’t be too far away.”

Evie can’t bear to look at Grandpa in case he can see the truth in her eyes. He knows her so well and she keeps her eyes downcast.

“What’s worrying you, my dear girl?”

“Nothing, Grandpa.”

Grandpa touches her sore hands. “You know, whatever it is, I can help make it right. You only have to ask.”

Evie snuggles into him and her splintery thumb drifts into her mouth.

No one can help me. Evie stares into the blazing fire and prays with all her might Rhino will be all right.