‘Um –’
‘What’s up there anyway?’ Chase interrupted. ‘Is it a secret?’
Claire smiled. ‘Well, it’s a level reserved for some special activities.’
‘Oh, sounds cool.’ Chase said lightly. The silence dragged on. ‘Doesn’t it, Maddie?’
‘Sure does,’ Maddie replied.
‘Weird,’ Jye muttered, watching Claire head off to talk to another group of children.
‘Be right back,’ Chase said, darting off.
Maddie felt bad about lying to Claire. Maybe she should go and tell her what happened? But what would Chase think? Would that ruin their friendship? She really liked Chase. She was fun and adventurous. Besides, they hadn’t actually done anything, had they? Except now they knew that there was something very strange going on upstairs.
Maddie watched Claire move from group to group, asking the same question.
‘I’ll see you later,’ she said to Jye, finally making up her mind.
Friday afternoon
‘Claire, can I have a quick word?’ Maddie asked, catching up to her.
‘Of course,’ Claire replied warmly. They walked past the last net to a quiet spot near a display of how a cricket bat is made.
‘It was me, Claire. I went up the stairs. I’m really sorry. I, um … couldn’t sleep so I just went for a little wander.’
‘Just you?’ Claire asked.
‘Just me,’ Maddie confirmed.
‘And what happened when you got upstairs?’
‘Well, nothing really. I just thought I heard a funny noise, so I realised it must be from some special equipment that’s set up there. After that, I came straight back down.’
‘And you didn’t see anything?’
‘No, it was kind of dark.’
‘And did you tell anyone?’ Claire asked. She was being friendly, but firm. It made Maddie think it was a pretty big secret.
Maddie shook her head. ‘No, no one. I just went back to sleep.’
Claire looked at Maddie for a moment then smiled. ‘Thank you, Maddie. I really appreciate you coming to see me. There’s nothing for you to worry about.’ She gave Maddie a reassuring squeeze on the arm and headed out.
Maddie finally caught up with Chase and Beccy just before dinner. She wasn’t going to tell them about her confession, but Chase’s first sentence changed all that.
‘Maddie,’ Chase said under her breath as they entered the dining room. ‘I went and saw Claire. I felt really bad about lying so I told her everything.’
‘You told her we went up to the top floor?’ Maddie asked.
Biting her lip, Chase nodded. ‘I’m really sorry. I should have asked you first. But –’
Maddie started to laugh.
‘What’s so funny?’ asked Chase.
‘Because I did exactly the same thing about half an hour before you did,’ Maddie said, shaking her head.
‘Oh, then I needn’t have bothered,’ she groaned.
‘Except that I said I was on my own,’ Maddie added.
‘Oh, really? You’re such a legend, Maddie Gleeson. We’re friends forever, okay?’ Chase gushed, giving her a hug.
‘Forever,’ Maddie reiterated, returning the hug.
‘WHAT?’ a voice boomed. Everyone froze. Harold Abbott stood up abruptly. His chair teetered then crashed to the floor.
‘Oh no, what’s happened?’ Chase breathed. Claire stood next to Harold, looking embarrassed.
‘Girls and boys,’ Harold Abbott’s voice was stern, as he glared left then right.
Maddie’s heart was pounding in her chest. She felt her face redden and her stomach turn to jelly. Had Claire just told him about their little adventure last night? Was Mr Abbott going to call out her and Chase right now?
‘Tonight there will be no activities or free time. After dinner, you are to return to your rooms and remain there until further notice. Are there any questions?’
No one moved.
Harold Abbott walked out of the room. Every one looked bewildered, but no one spoke.
‘Oh, what have we done?’ Chase moaned.
‘We have to go and apologise to Mr Abbott,’ Maddie whispered.
‘No way,’ Chase replied. ‘He’s really, really cross.’
‘Come on,’ Maddie said, grabbing Chase’s arm and dragging her across the dining room.
‘My mum is going to be very angry if I get sent home,’ Chase grumbled.
‘Mr Abbott?’ Maddie whimpered, looking up into the old man’s face as they caught up to him in the foyer.
Harold Abbott stared back at the girls, his expression hard. Then suddenly his face softened. ‘So, it’s Maddie and Chase, the young adventurers, who go exploring in the middle of the night to forbidden places.’
‘We –’ Maddie began, but stopped as Harold Abbott held up a hand.
‘I should never underestimate how delightfully curious children can be. You see, upstairs on the top floor was to be my little surprise for you all.’
Maddie and Chase held their breath, their frightened faces growing paler by the second.
Harold Abbott grinned. ‘It’s fine. Thank you for coming to see me.’ Lowering his voice and leaning forward, he added, ‘In fact, seeing as you owned up, I’ve changed my mind about tonight’s activities. Not a word to anyone, but there’s going to be another announcement in half an hour. I think you’re going to enjoy this evening.’ He shook both girls’ hands and quickly left via a rear door.
‘Hey,’ Claire whispered, beckoning them over. ‘I’m so glad you both ’fessed up. It’s hard admitting to something that could get you in trouble.’
‘Well, Mr Abbott seemed so angry, we just wanted to apologise,’ Maddie explained.
‘Yeah, we are having the best time ever at Crickomania Mansion, and that’s all because of Mr Abbott. We didn’t want him to be angry anymore,’ Chase added.
Claire took a deep breath and smiled at the two girls. ‘You are going to absolutely adore level three.’ Chuckling, Claire headed across the foyer to the office.
‘This cricket camp is just getting crazier and crazier,’ Chase said, shaking her head.
About 40 minutes later an announcement boomed out over the loudspeaker, asking for the children to meet in the foyer. Harold Abbott was waiting there to greet them.
‘Dear children, I do apologise for the change of plan. Two young girls, whose names I will not mention, made me pause and reflect a moment. So, I’ve changed my mind. We’re going to be having dessert and activities up on the forbidden top storey.’
Whisperings and murmurings broke out among the players as they debated what could be up there.
Harold Abbott continued. ‘There are eight rooms upstairs. You’ll find a different event happening in each room. Now off you go and enjoy yourselves.’
The stairs were flooded with pounding feet as the children raced upwards. When they reached the top floor corridor, everyone froze, before gasping in delight. Different coloured lights were flashing on either side of a long, carpeted hallway. Each team’s logo along with life-size action photos of various BBL and WBBL stars covered the walls on either side. Eight coloured doors were open and waiting, inviting the children to enter.
Most of the children crowded into the first room; the blue room of the Adelaide Strikers mascots. It was full of indoor sports games. A few of the children settled in to play while others ventured on.
‘This is ours,’ Chase exclaimed, opening a pink door. Flashing lights, loud music and Syd, the Sydney Sixers mascot, playing his guitar on a small stage, greeted them. ‘It’s a disco!’ Chase shrieked, running in and beginning to dance.
Leaving her to it, Maddie kept going.
The purple door of the Hobart Hurricanes, where Captain Hurricane was waiting, revealed a giant indoor castle. A couple of kids were running and chasing each other across a huge, inflatable bridge.
Starman and Starlet, from the Melbourne Stars, were having a picnic behind the green door. A huge a
rray of sweet food was spread out for everyone to enjoy.
It was the same beyond the orange door, where Blaze and Amber, the Perth Scorchers mascots, had drinks of all types and flavours.
At the end of the corridor was the Brisbane Heat’s room, with Heater, their mascot, inside. This room had been turned into a gym, full of mats, mini trampolines and soft shapes to climb and roll over.
On the other side of the corridor was a room, seemingly twice as large as the others. This was the home of the Sydney Thunder mascots, Storm and Thor. Their room had been turned into an indoor cricket centre, with an electronic scoreboard. Every piece of furniture and item in the room had a number attached to it. Already some of the children were playing a game of indoor cricket.
Maddie decided she’d check out the last room, grab some food and maybe have a quick chat with Starman and Starlet, then head back for some indoor cricket. It reminded her of her own corridor cricket.
There was no one in the room behind the red door yet, the home of Sledge and Willow, the Melbourne Renegades mascots. But that would soon change. Maddie gave Willow a hug before heading over to a car racing machine. The room was full of parlour games – there were pinball machines, two air hockey tables, a couple of tabletop soccer games and a tabletop cricket game that had Maddie staring at in wonder. She’d never seen anything like it.
For almost two hours, the children roamed from room to room, enjoying the incredible activities available.
At nine o’clock, a bell rang. It was time to go. The children said their farewells to the mascots and made their way back downstairs to their dormitories. It was an evening that none of the children would ever forget.
Saturday morning
Yesterday’s storms had cleansed the humidity from the air. Clear skies and bright sunshine meant that the ground was drying out quickly. Hundreds of visitors were already streaming into the Crickomania grounds as the children struggled out of bed after their wonderful evening the night before.
Some of the early arrivals were heading over to the oval to get the best seats for the game between the Sydney Thunder and Sydney Sixers teams. Others were enjoying the peaceful surrounds or the attractions that had materialised as if out of thin air overnight – food and drink stalls, paddle boat rides on the small lake to the south of the mansion and a range of interactive cricket games, set up by the staff near the ground itself. The mascots were also out and about, welcoming people and giving away team show bags.
Meanwhile, back in the mansion, Harold Abbott was addressing the cricketers as they sat waiting for their breakfast. ‘Girls and boys, you’ll notice there are two vacant seats at your tables. Please stand and welcome Shane Watson and Sam Bates, who will be playing for the Sydney Thunder team, and Mitchell Starc and Ashleigh Gardner, who will be playing for the Sydney Sixers.’
Shane Watson was a legend of Australian cricket; a massively talented all-rounder who’d won matches off his own bat. Sam Bates was an awesome leg spin bowler who used to be a fast bowler. Mitchell Starc, an Australian fast bowler famous for his yorkers, towered over everyone at his table. Ashleigh Gardner was a super talented batter and off spin bowler. The BBL and WBBL players were greeted by a huge standing ovation from everyone present.
‘I have some good news,’ Harold Abbott continued. ‘We’ve had a chat about the fact that two of you would have to drop out to make way for the Big Bash League stars who will be joining your teams.’ He paused and smiled. ‘Change of plan, no one will have to drop out. You will all be playing! We’ll use subs on the field so you all get a bowl, and your two star players won’t bat or bowl, they’ll only field.’
Claire got up and provided some further details about the final match before the two teams huddled in close to discuss their last-minute tactics.
‘I think you’ll find a different approach from the Sydney Thunder team today,’ Lisa said, smiling.
‘Different?’ Mitchell asked.
Maddie explained to Mitchell and Ashleigh what had transpired in their game yesterday.
‘Okay, well, early wickets sound like the key,’ Ashleigh said.
‘And I’ve got a plan,’ Maddie said, leaning forwards.
‘Go on?’ Lisa encouraged.
‘I reckon Sachin should open the bowling. They haven’t faced him yet and he’s super accurate and deserves it because he missed out playing in the first game.’
Mitchell grabbed a slice of toast. ‘Sounds like a plan to me.’ He grinned, nodding approvingly in Maddie’s direction.
‘Sachin?’ Lisa asked.
Sachin’s grin was so wide it almost split his face in two.
Ashleigh laughed, patting Sachin on the back. ‘I guess that’s your answer.’
‘And I’d like you to be our captain today, Maddie,’ Lisa said with a smile. No one objected.
Maddie grinned with pride. ‘Thanks, Lisa. For sure!’
The team spent another 20 minutes sorting out their batting and bowling orders. Every now and again, Maddie stole a glance at the Sydney Thunder table. Jye was looking glummer and glummer as their meeting progressed.
The mansion and all its amazing displays, interactive games and museum rooms, wouldn’t be opening up to the general public until the cricket match had concluded.
After packing their bags and depositing them in a small room next to the office, the children met in the foyer where Harold Abbott was waiting for them.
‘One more little surprise for you,’ Harold Abbott said. ‘I’d like you to line up in your teams. Your mascots will be escorting you down the steps and to the oval. I think you’ll enjoy who I’ve gathered to greet you.’
‘I’ll bet he’s got all the BBL and WBBL players here,’ Chase screeched in excitement, clapping her hands.
But it wasn’t famous cricketers who were cheering and clapping as the doors of the mansion opened. It was better. Way better.
‘Mum! Dad!’ Maddie cried, desperately wanting to break away from the line and give them a hug. They were both waving Sydney Sixers flags. The parents and other onlookers joined the parade as they moved across the car park towards the main oval.
‘Oh my,’ Maddie gushed as she looked out over the oval. Huge portable stands had been erected around the ground and there wasn’t an empty seat to be seen. Grassy banks were covered with rugs and families were rushing to get a good spot.
‘I don’t believe this,’ Chase sighed. ‘They’re all here to watch us?’
‘Well, maybe Mitchell, Ashleigh, Shane and Sam too,’ Maddie replied.
‘Okay, players, over here please.’ Claire beckoned the team into a huddle. ‘You’re going to be introduced individually. I want you to run onto the ground and wave, then line up alongside your coaches for the national anthem.’
Each player was given a huge ovation as they were announced onto the ground. The teams shook hands after the national anthem, then Maddie and Jye, who was again captaining the Thunder, were called over for the coin toss.
‘You were right, Maddie,’ Jye said as they shook hands again.
‘What do you mean?’ Maddie asked.
‘Sydney Sixers, your call,’ the umpire said, spinning the coin into the air.
‘Tails,’ Maddie said.
‘Heads it is,’ the umpire said, showing Maddie and Jye the coin.
‘We’ll bat,’ Jye said.
‘Righto.’ The umpire nodded, shook their hands and headed over to the pitch.
‘Cricket’s a team game and giving everyone a go is what really matters,’ Jye muttered, staring at his feet.
Maddie nodded. ‘Yup, I agree.’
‘Still, you’re going to have to break our opening partnership because we’re not going to retire till we reach 50,’ Jye added with a grin.
Maddie was about to object, but then shook her head, smiling briefly. ‘We’ll see how things go, yeah?’
‘For sure,’ Jye said, as he winked at Maddie.
Saturday morning
The tower bell over at the mansion
rang 11 times and the game began. Television crews and photographers jostled for positions among the 5000 plus crowd gathered to watch the first ever public cricket match to be played at Crickomania Mansion.
Sachin’s first ball pitched on Jye’s legs, spinning viciously across his pads.
‘Ooh, that’s nice.’ Mitchell clapped, rushing in from mid-on and taking the ball from Beccy. ‘Great spot.’
Maddie nodded approvingly from her position in the covers. In the corner of her eye she could see Jye glancing around nervously. ‘What have you got, Jye,’ she said to herself.
‘Catch that!’ Mitchell yelled, as Jye swung across the line of his second delivery. The ball had caught the leading edge of Jye’s bat, and was spearing towards Maddie. Lunging forwards and to her left, Maddie thrust out a hand, gathering the ball just before it hit the grass.
‘Great catch, Maddie!’ Ashleigh cried, running in from her position at gully. The others quickly joined them. Jye stood still a moment, staring at his bat in disbelief before trudging from the field.
Sachin took another two wickets as the Sydney Thunder batters struggled with his tricky leg spin bowling.
‘Okay, who didn’t bowl much in the first game?’ Mitchell asked.
‘There were a few of us who only bowled one,’ Maddie said. ‘Ella, you take this over, okay? Then Mehdi from the other end.’
‘What about you, Maddie?’ Chase asked.
Maddie smiled. ‘I’ll be right. Chase, you can have the next one after that.’
After the early setbacks, the Sydney Thunder batters managed some sort of a recovery, getting their score to 95 by the close of innings. Kiara, who’d opened with Jye, managed to score 32 runs herself.
Determined to survive the first eight overs, which Maddie assumed Jye and Kiara would bowl, Maddie put her head down, not even thinking about scoring runs. But after two overs, and with the score on just three runs, Jye chose a new bowler.
The score started to build as Maddie and Andy pushed ones into twos and twos into threes. Remembering what Lisa had said about aggressive running, they were putting pressure on the fielders.
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