Free Sydney Bridge Upside Down by David Ballantyne

studying merely because of the holidays. Some people.’
    ‘Why? What’s wrong with leaving it till school starts again?’
    She moved back from the fence. ‘I don’t believe you’d understand. You’re not studious.’
    ‘I do all right at school,’ I said. ‘Even if I’m not one of Mr Dalloway’s pets.’
    ‘I don’t study because of Mr Dalloway,’ she said. ‘I studyfor my own sake. Some day I’ll leave Calliope Bay. I want to know how to do something when I get somewhere else. I won’t know unless I’m properly educated. Do you understand?’
    ‘Sure I do,’ I said. Best to stay friendly. ‘I didn’t mean you were one of Mr Dalloway’s pets.’
    ‘It wouldn’t matter to me if you did,’ she said. ‘Not that it would help me to be one of his pets.’
    ‘I think he likes you, Susan,’ I said.
    ‘That scarcely matters now, does it?’ she said. When she saw that I didn’t understand, she added: ‘You do know he won’t be coming back next term?’
    ‘Gosh!’ I said. ‘I never heard that!’
    ‘It’s true,’ she said.
    ‘How do you know?’ I said, not believing her.
    ‘I merely happen to know,’ she said with a look that was obviously meant to show how sorry she felt for a kid who could not believe his teacher had left for ever.
    ‘Who told you?’ I asked.
    ‘You don’t have to believe me,’ she said. ‘Oh, I can’t stay here chatting. I have some studying to do.’
    I watched her go inside. I don’t like her now, I thought. Why is she so nosy? Why does she make up fibs about Mr Dalloway? Who cares if she studies during the holidays? Who cares about her stupid budgie, anyway?
    I went to the end of the yard and looked for Cal. I couldn’t see him. That was another bop I owed him. I went back to the kitchen.
    The water in the sink had cooled. I didn’t care. I sloshed the dishes quickly, then dried them, using the tea-towelto get rid of the parts still greasy.
    I had wondered if Caroline would hear the rattle of the dishes and come out and insist on helping. Evidently she hadn’t. Better get on with the sweeping. I would do the kitchen first, then the passage, then our room, then maybe I would go into Caroline’s room—
    Should I go to her room first? After looking so long at Susan Prosser, I wouldn’t mind looking at Caroline. It would be a nice change.
    I forced myself to keep to the first plan. I swept the kitchen quickly, then began on the passage.
    ‘Harry!’ called Caroline.
    I dropped the broom and sped up the passage. I stopped in her doorway.
    She was sitting up in bed. The sheet had slipped. After a moment or so I noticed that she looked more beautiful than ever.
    ‘I’ve been dreaming, Harry,’ she said. ‘How long have I been asleep?’
    ‘Only an hour,’ I said. ‘It’s all right. There’s no housework to do. We don’t want you doing housework while you’re on holiday.’
    She yawned and stretched her arms above her head. Then she said: ‘Pull up the blind, Harry dear. Seems it’s another sunny day.’
    ‘Yes, it is,’ I said. I kept my back to her while I was at the window. The road was clear, it usually was. I heard her bed creaking, but I made myself look at the road.
    ‘Think I’ll wear this today,’ she said. ‘Do you like this dress, Harry?’
    So of course I had to turn round. She was by the corner wardrobe, holding up a flowery orange-and-green dress.
    ‘It looks good,’ I said.
    ‘I’ll wear this one today,’ she said.
    She put on the dress. It was all she did put on, though I figured she would probably put on other clothes when I wasn’t there.
    ‘Cal’s gone to the swamp,’ I said. ‘Shall we go and see if he’s caught any frogs?’
    ‘All right,’ she said. ‘A quick wash, then I’ll put on some lipstick. In case we meet anybody.’ She smiled at me. ‘Do you prefer girls to wear lipstick, Harry?’
    She moved towards me and I had a good idea what she would do. ‘I like lipstick,’ I got in before she kissed me.