CHAPTER 36

An hour later, Evie wanders into the kitchen to find the entire household in disarray. Everybody is walking around on eggshells, not knowing what to say to each other.

George is in his room upstairs and they can hear him pacing back and forth. Grandpa has shut himself in the study because he’s worried about what’s going to happen to Evie when Rhino is taken away and Cook is in the kitchen cooking up unnecessary quantities of food because everybody is in distress, including her!

Nobody can look at Evie, let alone say anything. Finding the right words is never easy, as she knows. She spins on her heels and runs upstairs. She has to tell George she’s going to be all right, that she understands that he has a job to do. He has to take Rhino away. She taps on his door, but there’s no answer. She knocks louder.

George cracks open the door and at first doesn’t see Evie. His eyes are bleary and bloodshot, and his hair is all over the place. He looks terrible, like he hasn’t slept in days.

“Evie, I . . . ” George’s mouth opens and closes like a fish gasping for its last breath. He hangs his head.

No words, thinks Evie. He doesn’t know what to say to me. Evie can’t bear the awkwardness between them.

“When are you—?” she goes to ask George.

“I have to t–t–take—” says George, stumbling over his words.

“When are you taking him?” Evie rushes her words in one breath.

“I’m sorry, Evie. I’ve tried to delay the zoo handlers, but my father is demanding we leave. I love it here, but we have to go.”

“I know. But can I ask you a favor?”

“Anything, Evie.”

“Can you make Rhino a big enclosure, one with lots of grass and trees, like the zoos in London and Paris? Can you make it as large as you can?”

George swallows and nods and they stare at each other for a few moments, before he looks away. Evie sees the flicker of doubt. She dwells on this – George is fearful of his father.

“I know you’ll look after him. I trust you, George. I didn’t before, but I do now.”

“Why are you saying this, Evie?”

“Grandpa says you will look after him.”

George nods. “I’m not a brave person, Evie. But I will do my very best for Rhino.”

Evie attempts a wobbly smile and pushes a big toe against the rose-patterned carpet.

“I know what you were trying to tell me when you asked me to read your grandpa’s academic papers,” says George.

“Oh,” says Evie. For a moment the world tilts and a wave of sorrow hits her. She feels sorry for Grandpa and for Rhino. And sorry for George, since these problems all rest on his shoulders.

“It all makes sense to me now,” says George, pacing his room. “I know my father stole Charlie’s work. I know that’s why he excluded Charlie from the Zoological Society. That’s why he’s had so little to do with the Ornithological Society since. I have to find a way to make this right, Evie. I want to make things right for Charlie, for you and for Rhino. I–I–I– just don’t know how. I want to take a stand against my father, but I’m not sure . . .” says George, his eyes filling with tears.

George is so confused, thinks Evie. He can’t seem to make sense of his situation and doesn’t know how to make his way forward. She’s at a loss as to how to help him.

“Evie,” George whispers. “You’re the bravest person I know. How can I find the courage?”

Evie reaches her hand up and places it on George’s chest, above his heart. She can feel it beating. It’s strong. Stronger than he thinks.

“It’s here, George,” says Evie. “Your courage, is right here. It’s always been here.”