Free The Beast of Seabourne by Rhys A. Jones

who?”
    Oz shook his head. Mr Skelton was staring at the three of them, his eyes demanding silence.
    â€œNext are the Stupid Oafs with their Wellington boot remover.”
    The rest of the afternoon dragged on for what felt like forever. No one came near matching Niko’s transducer, and the cobbled-together displays and kitchen-sink contraptions on display seemed all a little bit silly. At last, three-thirty came around, and, after having gone into the prep room to deliberate with Heeps, Skelton emerged and proceeded to the front of the class.
    â€œFirstly, may I congratulate everyone who took part this afternoon? The presentations were of very high quality, indeed. However, in any competition there can only be one winner. The decision, in the end, was easy. This year’s Seabourne Comprehensive year eight science prize goes to…Niko Piotrowski.”
    Everyone applauded. Even Oz, still smarting from the disaster of their water cycle performance, had to agree that Niko deserved the prize. Oz watched, his brain numb with disappointment and anger, as Lorenzo Heeps made a big show of handing a shiny new laptop to Niko. The two of them posed with Skelton for O’Flynn, who made them shake hands and offer cheddary smiles.
    Then it was over. Everyone packed up, the room filling with the noise of people discussing rats. As they left for their buses, Oz clapped Niko on the back.
    â€œThat transducer thingy is amazing. No wonder you’ve been too busy for football.”
    â€œMr Heeps says we might find someone to make it and to sell it,” Niko said, looking a bit surprised by the whole thing as he hurried to his bus to shouts of “Call up some rats for us, Niko!”
    â€œThat’s fantastic,” Ellie said when the three of them were alone. “Imagine being able to buy one of those.”
    â€œYeah,” mumbled Ruff, who looked like he’d swallowed a slug and was having great difficulty in joining in the fuss over Niko’s achievement.
    â€œCheer up,” Oz said to him. “Look, I know we’ve been nobbled, but Niko’s thing was so brilliant, we may have lost anyway.”
    â€œWe don’t know that for certain, do we?” Ruff said looking like he wanted to spit. “What we do know is that it’s cost us a free ticket on the field trip.”
    â€œDon’t be such a bad loser,” Ellie said.
    â€œThat’s a good one coming from you, Miss Blue Belt in taekwondo.” Ruff countered.
    â€œI don’t like losing, but there’s no point sulking. And it’s blue belt with red tag, by the way.”
    Ruff ’s face went a blotchy purple. Oz decided it was best to try and calm things down.
    â€œWe can still go on the trip,” he said. “We’re all in the top twenty in science.”
    â€œBut it won’t be free now, will it?” Ruff argued. His voice had gone up a few notches on the volume dial. Enough to make several heads turn in his direction. “Buzzard Jenks and Skinner. They’re scum.”
    â€œWe still can’t be absolutely sure it was them,” Ellie pointed out.
    â€œWhy are you defending them?” Ruff roared.
    â€œI’m not,” Ellie snapped. “I’m just stating a fact. We have no proof.”
    â€œWas I the only one that saw them running from the lab at lunchtime?” Ruff said, breathing heavily.
    â€œNo, but…”
    â€œOh, I give up,” Ruff yelled. “Why not start a Jenks and Skinner fan club while you’re at it?” He stormed off towards his bus, leaving Ellie and Oz looking at each other with troubled expressions.
    â€œWhat’s the matter with him?” Ellie asked, her cheeks pink.
    â€œJust disappointed, I expect. He’ll get over it.” “Hmm,” she said, sounding most unconvinced as she and Oz continued towards their buses. They walked in silence for a few yards before Ellie stopped and turned to Oz.