Free Becky's Terrible Term by Holly Webb Page B

going to be about. They had loads of facts – but what were they going to do with them?
    â€œBecky,” asked Jack, politely, but giving Robin a watch out, I could be taking my life into my hands here kind of look. “Have you got all that stuff about our school? Maybe we could do something about how it’s changed?”
    Becky nervously scrabbled through her folder, and Annabel and Katie gazed at each other in a kind of horrified delight.
    â€œIt’s a good idea, but that’s the problem – I think everyone will do that,” said Fran worriedly. “It would be nice to be different –oh!” She broke off and squeaked in delight. “Becky, that looks just like Feathers, is that your dog? You didn’t say you had one as well!” She leafed eagerly through the album.
    Becky was completely confused. “I – no. That’s – oh, you’ll laugh. I don’t even know what it’s doing in here!” She looked shyly at Fran and the others. “You’ll think I’m really stupid.” Then she thought, Oh, who cares, they probably do anyway .“I haven’t got a dog at all – these ones are from magazines. They’re the kind of dog I’d love to have one day. You’re so lucky,” she told Fran enviously. “Have you seen her dog?” she asked Jack and Robin. They shook their heads. “Well, he’s just like that – only gorgeouser.”
    â€œAnd normally muddier,” grinned Fran. “You may think he’s gorgeous. Wait till he’s dragged youover a few molehills.”
    They all laughed – and Becky joined in.
    â€œSo why don’t you have a dog?” asked Fran.
    â€œTwo cats,” explained Becky. “And my mum says she’s got enough to look after with the three of us, without a dog too. I’m working on her, though. I’m sure the cats could cope.”
    Katie and Annabel watched gleefully as they all chatted – it was working! Becky caught them staring, and gave a small, hesitant smile, which got her two big grins in return. She pointed Katie and Annabel out to Fran and the others. “I think those two put the album in there to make me talk to you.” She gave an embarrassed grin, and looked round the three of them, even daring to catch Jack and Robin’s eyes. “I’m not used to not having them to work with – sorry I’ve been a bit, um, weird.”
    â€œA bit? We thought you were off your head!” smirked Jack, until Fran cuffed him on the shoulder.
    â€œIgnore him. He thinks he’s funny. If you’ve always had your sisters around I can see it would be scary. But you’re OK now?”
    â€œMmm.” Becky nodded shyly, and smiled at Fran.
    â€œWell, that’s good, ’cause I’m not,” snapped Jack. “That really hurt, I could tell Miss Fraser, you know!”
    Becky turned her sweet smile on him. “Would you really? You’d tell her a girl hit you?” she asked, very nicely, but trembling inside that she was daring to talk back to him – this was such an Annabel thing to say. . .
    Jack shuffled crossly in his seat. “Well, maybe not. I think I liked you better when you weren’t talking,” he added grumpily.
    â€œShut up, Jack, I’ve just had a brilliant idea,” said Robin, sounding pleased with himself. “We all like animals, don’t we? I’ve got a dog, too.”
    The others nodded.
    â€œYeah, I’ve got a lizard,” Jack offered, forgetting to stay cross. “Why?”
    â€œWell, why don’t we do our project on animals, then?” Robin looked quite excited. “About how they’ve been part of our town’s history. You know, carthorses, that sort of thing – there’s loads of animals in these pictures. No lizards though, Jack.”
    â€œCarrier pigeons during the war,” suggested Becky enthusiastically.
    â€œDid