The Curse of Captain Cross-eyed Read Online Free

day.

    â€œA big pirate ship in the park!” they exclaimed. “That would be great.”
    â€œI’m sure Captain Cross-eyed could set it up,” I said. “And look, we could have all sorts of activities, like rope climbing and…”
    â€œWalking the plank,” said Surinder.
    â€œFighting off enemy ships,” said Sara.
    â€œHammock swinging,” said Surinder.
    â€œTreasure hunting,” said Sara.
    I grinned. They were getting the idea.
    Later, Dad got the idea, too. “A pirate ship with pirate activities?” he said thoughtfully. “That would certainly be fun for the children round here. It would keep them fit, too.”
    â€œIt would let Captain Cross-eyed be a real pirate, like his ancestors.”
    Dad smiled. “And give me something to organise while I’m off work with this broken leg. Good thinking, son.” Then he hobbled off, whistling, to make a few phone calls.
    â€œWell done,” whispered Mum. “I haven’t seen your dad so cheerful in ages.”
    A few days went by and Dad was so busy we hardly saw him. Then he announced that he and I were going back to visit Captain Cross-eyed. “We have some pirate matters to discuss,” he grinned.
    The captain was just polishing off his tea of fish fingers when we arrived.
    â€œI hate sausages,” he grinned. “What can I do for you?”
    â€œTell him, Jonny,” said Dad.
    I explained my idea about the pirate ship in the park.
    Captain Cross-eyed looked doubtful. “It sounds wonderful, but…”
    â€œDad thinks it can be done,” I said.
    â€œOver the last week I’ve spoken to a lot of people who are willing to help,” nodded Dad. “The council, local businesses, parents… They all think it’s a fantastic idea.”
    â€œI would love to do it,” said Captain Cross-eyed. “The children could take part in all kinds of activities, even sword fights. We’d use wooden swords, of course. And we could have barrels to crawl through and climb over and…”

    Captain Cross-eyed had got the idea, too. Then he and Dad sat down and made lists of all the things they would need to set it up while I played with Olly and Scarface Jack.
    â€œHow did Scarface Jack lose his ear?” I asked. “I bet it was in a fight with another pirate cat. I bet the other cat slunk away when he realised that Scarface Jack would fight to the death, even if he only had one ear, or one eye, or one paw left.”

    â€œIt might have been like that,” grinned Captain Cross-eyed. “Or he might have been born with only one ear, and I might have got him from the cat rescue centre because no one else wanted him. But that could be our secret. I like your story better.”
    I liked Captain Cross-eyed.
    I also liked the speed at which my dad got things done. Before long, there was a lot of hammering and banging going on in the park. A big, wooden pirate ship took shape, with rope ladders snaking down its sides and a Jolly Roger flag fluttering at its mast. The name
Silver Arrow
was painted on its prow, and a large plank fixed near the stern.

    â€œWe’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.
    â€œWell 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