The Curse of Captain Cross-eyed (6 page)

“We're going to put a big paddling pool filled with plastic balls and sharks underneath,” grinned Captain Cross-eyed.

Mr McGregor, our football coach, was the first to notice what was going on. “I saw your dad yesterday when I was out on my run,” he said to me at football practice. “He says there's a pirate activity centre being set up. Said it was your idea. Is that right?”

I nodded.

“Well done, laddie. Soon as it's ready, I'll be along there with the football team. Make a change from the usual training.”

Then Mr Maini mentioned it to me. “I'm putting up a notice in my shop window about the big pirate ship in the park. It seems a Captain Cross-eyed, whom I know as Mr Cross, is to be in charge of it. Seems you weren't telling silly stories after all. I owe you an apology.”

“That's O.K., Mr Maini,” I grinned. “It
was
all rather strange.”

Only Miss Dodds didn't mention it. Not even when the big pirate ship opened and news of it was in the local paper.

Everyone from miles around went to the opening dressed as a pirate, though Dad wasn't too pleased when I called him Peg Leg.

Captain Cross-eyed looked fantastic. He stood at the ship's wheel in his full pirate outfit. “Welcome aboard!” he cried. “Everyone must have fun or my name's not Captain Cross-eyed.” Then he crossed his eyes and made people laugh.

Not to be outdone, Olly hopped about cackling. “Where's the treasure? Where's the treasure?” And tried to poke his beak into people's pockets.

Everyone had a wonderful time, especially Captain Cross-eyed. “I'm a real pirate at last,” he grinned. “And it's all thanks to you, Jonny.” Then he put his hand into his pocket and handed me a large coin. “It's a gold doubloon. Your dad was telling me you're saving up to buy a new bike.” And before I could thank him, he strode off to show two girls how to have a proper sword fight.

Dad was really pleased at how well everything had gone, too. “I'm sorry I thought the idea of a pirate in Weir Street was nonsense,” he said.

“That's all right,” I grinned, “because I've got something else tell you. Captain Cross-eyed's not the only strange person to live in Weird Street. Guess who lives at number 34 and a half…”

WeirD Street

Just how weird can the people in Weir Street be? Join Jonny on
all
his adventures…

First published 2009 by
A & C Black
Bloomsbury Publishing Plc
50 Bedford Square, London, WC1B 3DP
www.acblack.com

This electronic edition published in April 2012 by Bloomsbury Publishing Plc

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You may not copy, distribute, transmit, reproduce or otherwise make available this publication (or any part of it) in any form, or by any means (including without limitation electronic, digital, optical, mechanical, photocopying, printing, recording or otherwise), without the prior written permission of the publisher. Any person who does any unauthorised act in relation to this publication may be liable to criminal prosecution and civil claims for damages

eISBN 978 1 4081 6374 0

A CIP catalogue for this book is available from the
British Library.

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