Free Letters from the Inside by John Marsden Page A

that was the last I heard about my phone message.
    Monday I even asked her politely for it, but she walked away. Trouble is, I don’t know if there ever was a message. She could have been faking it, to set me up.
    How’d I get onto all this? Oh yeah, explaining what a bitch Mrs Neumann is. So anyway, all I’m saying is that they haven’t exactly been chucking parties here for me.
    Mandy, can you do me a big favour? Please? This is the only thing I’ve asked you for (I think). Can you get a bottle of champagne and drink it for me, to celebrate? With some friends, if you want, but don’t say what it’s for. Then write and tell me about it. I really want you to do this.
    With love,
             Trace

    October 21
    Dear Trace,
    Thanks heaps for the card. I didn’t think you’d remember. It was beautiful — you’re really artistic. That’s at least two things I know you’re good at. Did you write the poem? It was so funny.
    It was a good birthday for once. Had about twenty people round for a barbecue. Mum and Dad kept a low profile, Steve sulked in his room (his exams start soon), Katrina was home. So that was all good. We partied till about one o’clock. Adam came, and gave me a beautiful silver chain. He’s getting serious. Mum and Dad gave me a bike — good one too, once I figure out how to use the gears. But it’s got two wheels and a seat and a chain and handlebars and everything, so can’t complain. No, seriously, it’s what I asked for. I want to get fit. Steve gave me a helmet to go with the bike, but Mum and Dad would have paid for it, nothing surer. Katrina gave me two stunning shirts, both from Daniel. One’s black with silver lining, sort of cowboy style, with a big silver star on the left boob, the other’s thin red, white and blue stripes, two pockets, short sleeves, really smart. She’s so nice — she’s always broke herself and these must have cost a fortune. I’ll have to get her something extra good for Christmas.
    I got lots of little pressies from the people at the party and a book from Cheryl, called Confederacy of Dunces, which looks rad. Mai gave me a beautiful Vietnamese vase, so delicate, with tiny blue flowers on it. And Naomi Barker gave me a Power Without Glory CD that I didn’t have. ( PWG — their second one. It’s the one with ‘Dining at the Y’ on it.)
    Then Saturday night Adam and I went to a school dance. It was a sort of farewell for the Year 12s. Bit of a joke ’cos I went and Steve didn’t. But what I had to tell you was, on the way there I made Adam pull in at a bottle shop and get a bottle of champagne. Then we went down the river, where there’s lots of space. I’d brought two glasses from home and we sat there for about half an hour talking and drinking. He kept wanting to know what it was for but I wouldn’t tell him. But I drank a toast to you, a silent toast.
    So that was your celebration party. Not as good as you deserve but the best I could do. Hope you like it.
    You know, that story about Mrs Neumann — I honestly don’t think I’d survive life in there. I’ve been thinking about it a lot. I couldn’t sleep, the night I read your letter. Why do people act like that? What makes them do such things? I don’t understand the human race. My dog looks better all the time. I don’t know how you face up to each day.
    I know this is another delicate question, and you ignore the ones you don’t want to answer anyway, but is there any chance you’ll be out for Christmas? I thought people got so much time off for good behaviour these days that they never stayed in for long.
    Well, thinking of you. Take care.
    Love,
      Mandy

    Oct 23
    Dear Mandy,
    No, I won’t be out for Christmas. To get time off for good behaviour, your behaviour has to be good. Anyway what do you think I’m in here for — nicking a Mars Bar? Riding the trains without a ticket? Overdue library books?
    No offence Mandy, but you seem bloody innocent sometimes.
    It’s funny, I