Chapter 396

Mickey peered down where she was pointing, and nearly choked. ‘Um… the front two legs are obviously Mum’s, you know.’ ‘What? Mum’s?’ Minnie crouched to look more closely. Sure enough, the two legs further in were thinner than the ones nearer the front. ‘You’re right… they are Mum’s.’ ‘Get out!’ Dad’s furious roar came from behind the curtain, so loud it made both of them jump. Minnie tugged at Mickey’s sleeve. ‘You’re not scared of Dad, are you? You go.’ Mickey stared at the curtain, at the narrow space behind it, and then thought about those four legs. A sudden, uncomfortable understanding dawned on him. ‘Maybe we should leave.’ ‘Leave? Why? Aren’t you worried something’s wrong with them?’ ‘Um… not really,’ he said, scratching his head, unsure how to explain what he half-suspected. ‘I think they’re fine. Physically, I mean.’ From behind the curtain, Mum’s weak voice came through. ‘Minnie, Mickey, could you two go out for a bit? Mum and Dad will be out soon.’ Her voice was faint, breat