Horrified, I looked at Gertie, then at the teacher. Ooooaahh. Had Gertie really said that?
“What did you say?” snapped Miss Badger. Her nostrils flaring like an angry bull, she looked at Gertie’s drawing and shook it. “What’s the meaning of this?”
I gulped kind of scared. But Gertie didn’t. That crazy girl just smiled and said, “I thought you’d like it, Miss. It’s you.”
Miss Badger’s eye twitched. “Like it?” she bellowed. “Why would I like it, you rude child?”
Gertie folded her arms. “Well, I like it. I’m a great artist.”
I sucked in my cheeks to stop from giggling. Gertie was very naughty.
“What are you smirking at, Pollyweena?” said the teacher. Then she pointed at us both. “I’ll be telling your parents about this.”
It wasn’t fair. What had I done wrong? I scowled at Gertie. What sort of best friend would get you in trouble? Gertie, that’s who.
Miss Badger stomped to her desk and slammed the pictures down. Then she glared at everyone. “Line up for your music lesson, children.”
Yay, I thought. We’re finally going to the hall and I could go to the toilet. Very pleased, I blew out a big breath. I couldn’t wait any longer.
Gertie stood at the back of the queue and followed the teacher to the hall. But I didn’t. I squatted down and pretended to do my laces.
When everyone had gone, I shuffled down the corridor. I couldn’t walk normal ’cause I was busting to do a wee.
But guess what? When I got to the girl’s bathroom, I was very cross. The stupid door was locked and there was a big sign, saying,
Out of Order.
Please use the staff toilets until fixed.
“Darn it!” I moaned, jiggling about. The teachers must have seen the broken wall. My shoulders slumped. The staff toilet was way over at the other end of the school.
Holding my tummy, I hobbled up the corridor. Adults were painful sometimes. No wonder little kids peed their pants.
I kept walking, but my tummy felt like a balloon. I stopped for a bit and crossed my legs. “Ooooeeeeah,” I whimpered.
Then I saw the staff toilets. Yes! I punched the air with my fist. I was so happy—but not for long.
I couldn’t hold on any longer. I peed on the floor. Darn it! Now what was I gonna do?
Big tears filled my eyes. I peered up and down the corridor. Then I scooted up the hallway before somebody saw the puddle on the floor.
Just then I had a brainstorm. I dashed back to my classroom and zipped behind the coatracks. Speedy fast, I kicked my wet pants off and I put them on the windowsill behind the blinds. Yay! Now they could dry in the sun.
Very quick, I scooted to my backpack and grabbed my gym shorts. As I yanked them on, I let out big breath. “Phew, that was close.”
I did my happy dance. Shaking my butt, I twirled around. Then I boogied out the doorway. At least no one had seen me.
Humming to myself, I marched to the hall and peeked around the door. Miss Badger was playing the piano.
As soon as the teacher looked away, I sprinted across the floor. Then I stood at the front of the choir with the other short kids.
Miss Badger turned and glared at me. “Where have you been, Pollyweena Grubble?”
Blushing, I stared at her, but I didn’t dare answer.
“Well?” she snarled.
“I … I was fastening my shoes,” I lied. Well, it was just a little white lie. I couldn’t tell her I’d wee-weed on the floor in the hallway.
“Okay,” she said, her eyes still on me. “Make sure you keep up next time.” Then she went back to the piano. “Right, children, we’ll sing the song about horses.”
I loved the song about horses. I knew most of it ’cause I’d learned it on Saturdays. I like Saturdays because Mr Tenor plays the piano and he’s not a big meanie like Miss Badger.
As the choir began to sing, I thinked about what Gertie said. I didn’t want to get booted out of the choir. So I opened my mouth real wide and mimed the words to the song.
As Miss Badger played the tune, she kept staring at me. But I’m a good actress. So I stretched my lips to the words and wobbled my head like an opera singer.
Gertie poked me in the back and giggled. But I ignored her. If I got caught laughing, I’d be kicked out of the choir for sure.
I wanted to sing out loud like the other kids. But I didn’t dare. Why did we have such a beastly teacher? I was glad when the bell rang.
Miss Badger banged her conductor’s stick on the piano. “Okay,” she said. “Before you go to lunch, you’re all going to sing the scales because someone’s out of tune.”
Well, it wasn’t me because I hadn’t sung one single note. I looked around to see who was blushing. But everyone was staring at me.
Miss Badger tapped me on the shoulder and I jumped and turned to face her.
Grinning wickedly, she said, “You’re first, Pollyweena.”
I gulped as a big lump stuck in my throat. It wasn’t fair. I hadn’t sung anything. So why did I have to go first?
Miss Badger held a finger up. “Come on, Polly, sing the scales!”
I took a deep breath. I knew it wasn’t me, so if I sang real well, I’d get to stay in the choir.
Very proud, I opened my mouth and sang out loud, ♫“Doe ... ray … me … far … so … la … tea … dooooe.”♫
Then I smiled at the teacher.
“Hmm,” she said. “I’m not sure. You sing very loud, Polly. Now sing this, ♫ Kay … kee … kaa … co … coooo.”♫
I stretched my neck and sang, ♫“Cakee … cackeeee … cooooo.”♫
“No! No! No!” said Miss Badger. “That won’t do at all. Now try this, ♫ Bae … bee … baa … bo …boooo.”♫
I breathed in and sang, “Baby … baby … boooo.”♫
Miss Badger rolled her eyes and shook her head. “That’s not what I said, Polly. And your singing was dreadful. You’re way out of tune.”
My face burned. I hadn’t sung out of tune. That old bat was just being mean because I laughed at Gertie’s drawing.
“I’m sorry,” said Miss Badger. “But you can’t stay in the choir, Polly. After all, we don’t want to lose the competition, do we?”
My lip quivered. Was she really gonna stop me from going to the Opera House? Big tears filled my eyes. But Miss Badger didn’t care. She just turned to Gertie and curled her finger. “You’re next Gertie McDougal,” she said.
To be continued............
To read more of Rascals Sing at The Opera House, (Book Two), it’s available as a single book or as a double book with book one..
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See who Mange sticks his bum at in book two:
Find out if Polly sings or mimes at the singing festival
About the author
To contact Patricia Puddle, or to be placed on a mailing list to be notified of her new releases, click the “Contact me” button on her website or scroll down to the bottom of the first page and click E-mail: Patricia
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Patti Robert’s Book Cover Creations: https://paradoxbooktrailerproductions.blogspot.com.au/
Other books by Patricia Puddle:
Double Trouble is 2 Books in 1: Star-Crossed Rascals & Rascals Sing at The Opera House..
Bye for now, we’re off for a bike ride and to look for our friends, Zac and Toby Jug.
Star-Crossed Rascals Page 6
