The Fridge Box

Hattie and Gus have a house rule. Knock first.

The new fridge came on a Tuesday. Mum looked at the fridge. Mama looked at the fridge. Hattie and Gus looked at the box. “A house,” said Hattie. “Our house,” said Gus.

Mum cut a door. Mama cut a window. “Knock first,” said Hattie. Mum knocked to bring their lunch. Gus liked having a door so much that he shut it and fell asleep. Hattie read by torchlight.

Then Gus leaned on the wall. The house fell over. “Our door’s on the floor,” said Gus. “It’s a boat,” said Hattie. “Get the mop. We need an oar.” Gus climbed aboard. “Still knock first.”

The boat hit the sofa. “Whale!” said Gus. One side came off. Gus stood the rest on end. “A rocket. We can live on the moon.” “Does it have a roof?” said Hattie. “Ten, nine, eight…” They got to four before the roof fell in.

Mama came through with the washing. CRUNCH. “Sorry!” Hattie and Gus lay down on what was left. “Flying carpet,” said Hattie. “Where to?” “Somewhere with a roof.”

The carpet tore down the middle. Hattie took half. Gus took half. “I’m guarding the house,” said Hattie. “We haven’t got a house,” said Gus. He put his half on his head. “I’ve got a roof.” Then he wore it in the bath.

When Gus’s roof had gone soggy, there was one dry piece left. It was the size of a book, with a bite out of one corner. “We can’t live in that,” said Gus. Hattie looked at their bedroom. It had walls. It had a roof. It had a door.

They got the crayons. They drew themselves on the cardboard. Mama helped them hang it on their bedroom door. “What does it say?” she asked. “Knock first,” said Gus. Mama knocked. Hattie opened the door.

The next week, the doorbell rang. Two men were standing on the step with a new washing machine. Hattie and Gus looked at the box. “Our house needs a porch,” said Hattie. “With a door,” said Gus.