Free Unleashed! by J A Mawter Page B

on!’
    The caretaker made a grab for the handlebars but missed, snatching the helmet instead.
    Clem flung her leg over the top tube bar and scrambled on her seat. The caretaker tried to crash-tackle her but Clem was too fast. I’m no Freewheeler for nothing! she thought.
    The three of them whizzed across the car park towards the exit. The caretaker waved a fist at them. He threw the helmet, hitting Clem in the back. Darcy doubled back to scoop it up, then accelerated to be as close to Clem as possible.
    They passed through the gate when all of a sudden a figure loomed in front. A figure with ivory skin and black hair.
    ‘Mio!’ they cried.
    Then hearts lurched and thudded.
    It was not Mio.

Chapter Nine
    It was pupil-free day, a teacher education day, and Clem and Darcy were in the kitchen, doing the breakfast dishes.
    ‘Spooky about seeing that boy last night,’ said Clem.
    ‘Sure was.’
    Before they could speak further Mrs Jacobs called from her bedroom, ‘Clem, Darcy. I need you to mind the boys. Drew’s got a fever and I have to take him to the doctors’.’
    ‘But we’re going out!’ Clem plunked a plate into the sink, so hard that water sloshed onto the floor, just as her mum walked in. ‘Bum nuts,’ said Clem, grabbing a sponge to wipe it up.
    ‘Language, Clem.’ Mrs Jacobs took a tea towel from a rack and reached for a soapy plate. Her shoulders sagged and her face looked weary. The television blared from the family room.
    Clem rolled her eyes, but so her mum couldn’t see, and said, ‘So-r-r-y-y-y-y.’
    ‘That’s better,’ said Mrs Jacobs as she flipped the plate and started drying the other side. ‘Now, where do you think you’re going?’
    Darcy looked at Clem. His eyes scrunched and his lips puckered, as if to say sh-h-h-h!
    ‘On our bikes,’ said Clem. She swished her plate through the bubbles then handed it to her mother. ‘With Mio and Bryce.’
    Mrs Jacobs sighed and her brow furrowed. She wiped the plate, saying, ‘Mio and Bryce can wait. I’ve been up all night. Drew’s sick. I’ve got an appointment for him at half past eleven. You have to mind the boys.’
    ‘Half past eleven!’ Another plate was dunked in the water. ‘That means we’re stuck here till lunch.’ Clem took a deep breath, then another, trying to still her rising frustration.
    Mrs Jacobs sighed again and pushed a strand of hair behind her ear. ‘You know Dad’s at work, Clemmie. I need you.’
    Clem attacked another dirty plate as she snapped, ‘Dad’s always at work!’
    ‘I know. I know,’ said Mrs Jacobs. She pushed a strand of hair out of her eyes, then reached for another plate. ‘But remember, he’s working for us.’
    ‘We know, Mum,’ said Darcy, stepping between Clem and their mother and copping a scorcher of a look from Clem. ‘And we appreciate it.’ He gave his mum a hug. ‘Don’t worry about the boys. We’ll look after them.’
    Clem pulled a face but her voice softened as she added, ‘Yes, Mum. We will.’
    Mrs Jacobs wiped the last plate from the rack and put it away. ‘Thanks, you two.’ She gave a slight shake of her head. ‘Six kids. Who’d’ve thought!’ She sighed and wore a wan smile. ‘Where would I be without you?’
    ‘Paris.’
    ‘New York.’
    ‘London.’
    Mrs Jacobs laughed but then her brow creased again. ‘I really am quite worried. Drew’s never sick. He’s got a fever. I hope it’s nothing serious.’
    ‘Serious?’ asked Jonas as he walked into the kitchen with Bruno and Tim.
    ‘He’s not going to die, is he?’ asked Bruno, with eyes wide. His mouth opened and, on autopilot, his thumb glided inside.
    ‘Of course not!’ Mrs Jacobs gave Bruno a hug and patted Jonas on the arm. ‘He’s just a wee bit sick. Nothing to worry about.’
    But Drew was listless. He slumped in his baby chair, not even interested in his bottle. ‘Old Macdonald had a service station,’ sang Darcy.
    ‘Farm,’ corrected Drew, sitting up a bit.
    ‘Ee-igh-ee-igh-o.