by J A Mawter
‘To your left!’ screamed Darcy, so hard it hurt his throat. As he fumbled to find his pedal, Clem’s foot finally made contact with the bin. ‘Run, Clem. Run!’
‘This way!’ called Bryce. ‘Quick!’
Clem leapt towards the boys but the caretaker ducked and weaved and cut her off.
‘Aaaagh!’ Clem tried to backtrack but the man came after her.
Darcy grabbed Clem’s bike from the fence. Riding in tandem he zoomed up to her, screaming, ‘Get on! Get 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. And in that service station…’
‘Farm.’
‘…he had a motor bike. Ee-igh-ee-igh-o. With a brrrrmmm, brrrrmmm here and a…’ Darcy leaned down and brrrmmm, brrrmmmed in Drew’s ear.
Drew barely smiled. A chubby little hand covered his ear as he murmured, ‘Tickle.’
Darcy laughed. He tousled Drew’s wispy blond hair and asked, ‘Who’s your man?’
‘Dar, Dar.’
And who’s my boy?’
‘Doo.’
Darcy kissed Drew on the forehead, saying, ‘You betcha.’
‘My turn,’ said Clem. She lifted Drew out of the highchair and balanced him on her hip. ‘Who’s a beautiful boy?’ Drew nestled into her neck like a baby possum. Clem could feel the heat radiating from him. ‘Geez, Mum. He’s burning up.’
For the next couple of hours Clem and Darcy stayed at home, Clem nursing Drew and Darcy kicking a ball around the back yard with Jonas, Bruno and Tim.
‘I’m off,’ called Mrs Jacobs at a quarter past eleven as she grabbed the car keys. ‘Be back as soon as I can.’ When Clem handed him over, Drew whimpered. ‘Shush, little one. You’re going to be okay,’ she said.
Once her mother had left Clem rang Mio and Bryce, using their secret signal. Ring, ring. Stop. Ring, ring. Stop.
Ten minutes later the doorbell chimed.
‘Coming!’ called Clem as she raced for the door. ‘Mio! Bryce! C’mon in. Darcy’s cooking lunch. French toast. Want some?’
‘Yum,’ said Bryce, giving a dimply grin. ‘My favourite.’
Mio wrinkled her nose. ‘Thanks, but no thanks. I ate some miso soup at home.’
‘Guess what?’ Clem grabbed Mio’s hand, pulling her closer. ‘Guess who we saw last night?’
‘Bryce told me.’ Mio cringed. ‘How could you mistake me for that boy?!’
‘Weird, huh?’ said Darcy.
‘Very,’ agreed Mio.
‘Next time I’m going to ask him what he’s doing.’
Mio pursed her lips then said, ‘That’s if there is a next time.’
‘Yeah.’ Darcy scrambled four eggs in a flat-bottomed bowl and added some milk. Next, he grabbed a slice of bread and soaked it in the mixture. The smell of melting butter wafted from a frying pan on top of the stove. Darcy scooped the soggy bread into the pan and threw another slice into the bowl.
‘Me first!’ Jonas ran and held out his plate.
‘No, me,’ said Bruno, pushing Jonas away.
‘Smallest to biggest,’ blurted Tim with a grin. With Drew at the doctors’ that meant him!
Darcy laughed as he said, ‘Good one, Timmo. You’re first.’
‘That’s not fair!’ Jonas pouted and tried to clout Tim with his fist. ‘I’m never first!’
‘Stop it,’ said Clem, jumping between them before Tim punched back. ‘There’s enough for everyone.’
Soon tummies were full. Sugar grains stuck to lips and chins. Clem checked out the time. ‘One o’clock already. Where are they? We’ll never get to the shelter at this rate.’ She slammed a mug into the sink so hard that it was a miracle it didn’t break.
Keys jangled at the door.
‘Hi, Mum,’ called Clem. ‘How’s Drew?’
Mrs Jacobs sank into a chair and sat Drew on her lap. ‘Not too good.’ She wriggled to get more comfortable and Drew whimpered. ‘It might be pneumonia.
I have to take him for an X-ray at three. Sorry, Clem, Darcy. You’re going to have to baby-sit till I get back.’
Clem took a deep breath and slowly exhaled. She wondered if she should mention the animal shelter, but looking at her mum’s worried face she decided not to. ‘Okay,’ she said, trying to keep her voice light. ‘We’ll baby-sit.’
‘No problem.’ Darcy picked up the frypan and began to scrub it, but not before he had silenced the others with a wink. Mio and Bryce grabbed a tea towel to help.
By the time Mrs Jacobs left early to get a park Clem was busting. She grabbed her wallet and house key, saying, ‘We’ve got to get a move on.’
‘What?’ Mio looked around the kitchen which was wall-to-wall kids. ‘All of us?’
Clem whirled to face her, demanding, ‘You got a better idea?’
‘It’s just that there are…’ Mio took a deep breath as she counted the Jacobs clan. ‘So many.’
‘Well, what do you suggest? We’re not putting this off for another day.’
Bryce gave Jonas a playful punch. ‘We could ask your grandparents or Mr Lark to baby-sit.’
‘Oma and Opa play competition bridge every Monday and Mr Lark’s at his poker game today,’ said Darcy. ‘He won’t be home.’
Mio turned to Clem and Darcy. ‘What about if only one of you go and the other stays home?’
‘No!!!’ said Clem and Darcy together.
Jonas, Bruno and Tim started jumping up and down, chanting, ‘Take us! Take us! Take us!’
‘It’s all or none.’ Darcy shrugged in apology. ‘And I vote for all.’
‘Me, too,’ said Clem.
Bryce nodded in agreement. He looked at Mio, eyebrows raised, then asked, ‘You?’
‘So much for slipping in quietly and having a look around,’ said Mio with a sigh.
Darcy grinned. ‘Rent-a-crowd can be good. You’ll see.’
‘Li yo,’ said Mio, then translated, ‘Okay.’
They sorted out the bike situation. Tim would double with Darcy. Bruno would dink with Clem. And Jonas would ride with Mio on the way there and Bryce on the way back.
‘Where’re we going?’ asked Jonas as they waited for the train.
‘On an adventure,’ answered Clem.
‘But where on an adventure?’ persisted Jonas.
‘To see some animals.’
‘Are we going to the zoo?’ asked Bruno, his eyes growing wider.
‘No.’
‘Where, then?’ he asked.
Darcy patted him on the shoulder. ‘It’s a surprise.’
Chapter Ten
Seven kids with four bikes climbed aboard the train, taking up one whole carriage. Passengers getting on soon changed their minds and headed for a carriage elsewhere. It was hot, and the boys were restless, asking for the drinks Clem had packed for them.
At last they arrived at Braxxby. Clem herded her brothers off the train and along the platform. As she shuffled them down the stairs and out of the station the younger boys started singing, ‘We’re going on a boar hunt, boar hunt. We’re going on a boar hunt to see what we can see-e-e.’
‘This is fun!’ said Jonas. He pulled a tennis ball from his pocket and threw it up, catching it in grubby hands.
‘Heaps fun,’ mumbled Bruno, still sucking his thumb, and skipping at the same time.
‘The best.’ Tim rubbed his face on a dirty patch of material, his beloved Blankie, then tucked it in his pocket.
Once more they broke into song. ‘We’re going on a…’
‘Shush,’ warned Clem, holding her finger to her lips. ‘We don’t want to draw attention to ourselves, do we?’
‘Draw attention to ourselves!’ Mio threw one hand up in the air as she wheeled her bike. ‘All we need is a brass band and an elephant and the whole world will know we’re coming!’
‘Poor Mio,’ said Darcy, leaning over to pat her on the head. ‘With her home so neat and quiet.’
Mio pulled a wry face. ‘You don’t know the half of it.’
‘You can always wear earplugs and blinkers,’ said Darcy with a laugh.
‘Always the comedian.’
They crossed the road then settled the younger kids on the bikes, securing helmets and cautioning them to ‘Hold on tight!’ In single file they rode towards the animal shelter, the younger kids on the seats holding their legs out from the spokes and the older ones riding by standing up on the pedals. When they arrived at the shelter the little kids climbed off, then the bikes were rested against a wall and secured with the lock and chain.
‘Hold hands,’ said Clem as she linked Jonas with Bruno, then put Tim on her other side. ‘And don’t let go. We don’t want you getting lost.’
They headed for the reception area, determination written all over Clem’s face. It was the same man from the other day. ‘Excuse me,’ began Clem. ‘Has anyone brought a beagle in here?’
The man pursed his lips then tut-tutted. ‘I already told you. We did have one but she’s no longer here.’
‘And you don’t have any other beagles?’ Clem leaned over to check out the admissions list. ‘Not a single one?’ Her heart was going kerthump, kerthump, kerthump.
‘Definitely not,’ said the man, then he nudged the list away from Clem. ‘We have no beagles here.’
Clem snorted and waved in the direction of the kennels. ‘We’ll see for ourselves, then.’
‘Stay in the main kennel section,’ said the man. ‘Visitors aren’t allowed in staff restricted areas.’
‘We will.’
Once again Clem grabbed Tim’s hand, then she led her brothers towards the gate marked ‘Dog Kennels’. As the kids filed down the first path dogs started barking and prancing and hurling themselves at their gates. With a whimper Tim clutched Clem’s hand and pressed into her side.
‘It’s okay, Timmo,’ she said, guiding him on. ‘The doggies won’t hurt. They’re happy to see us.’
Mio stopped at an empty cage. ‘The Chin’s gone!’ Her voice softened as she said, ‘I hope it’s gone to a good home.’ To herself she added, a Japanese home.
‘I’m sure it has,’ said Bryce as he threw an arm round Mio’s shoulders. ‘It’ll be lying in a beanbag somewhere having its tummy tickled and eating sashimi.’
Mio smiled and pushed his arm away, saying, ‘Silly!’ but with thoughts full of doubt.
Despite Clem’s efforts to keep her brothers together, at the end of the first aisle they scattered. Wicked cackles were heard as they took off. Then, they ducked round a corner, completely disappearing from view. ‘Boys!’ Clem raced after them. ‘Stop!’
The boys squealed at this new game and ran faster.
‘I’m coming,’ Darcy called to Clem.
‘Me, too.’ Bryce chased after Darcy.
‘Me, three,’ said Mio.
Five minutes later they found Jonas and Bruno but there was no sign of Tim. ‘Where’d Tim go?’ Clem ducked down and put an arm around each boy, demanding, ‘Where’s Tim?’
Bruno chewed on his nail, stopping every so often to inspect his damaged and wrinkled thumb. ‘Dunno.’
‘Neither do I,’ said Jonas with a pat to his pocket to make sure his tennis ball hadn’t got lost, too.
‘But he was with you!’ Clem was aware that her voice was sounding shrill but she couldn’t help herself. ‘You’re so naughty, you two. Naughty, naughty, naughty.’
Tears rolled down Bruno’s cheeks. His thumb wended its way into his mouth.
‘Calm down, Clem. It’s okay, little man,’ said Darcy, patting Bruno on the head. ‘He couldn’t have gone far. Tim!’ When there was no answer he yelled again, ‘Ti-i-i-m!’
‘I want Tim Tim,’ said Bruno between sobs. ‘I want my bruvver.’
‘Don’t worry, little munchkin.’ Bryce kept his voice soft and soothing as he wiped away the tears with the palm of his hand. ‘We’ll find him.’ He smiled as he broke into song. ‘We’re going on a Tim hunt, a Tim hunt. We’re going on a Tim hunt.’
‘Let’s split up,’ interrupted Darcy, ‘and meet back here in say…’ He checked his watch. ‘Ten minutes.’
‘Good idea.’ Clem grabbed Bruno’s hand, saying, ‘I’ll take Bruno and check Section One. Darce, you take Jonas and do Section Two. Mio, you’re on Three, and Bryce, you’re Four. Got it?’ There was much nodding of heads. ‘Let’s go!’
The kids searched the rows of kennels, calling, ‘Tim! Tim!’ Clem wondered if Tim could possibly hear over the cacophony of noise.
‘Lost your dog?’ asked a kennel assistant in grey overalls.
Clem jumped, relaxing only when she saw that it wasn’t the caretaker. ‘No,’ she said, but there was a catch to her voice when she explained, ‘my little brother.’
‘What’s he look like?’ asked the assistant.
‘He’s small.’ Clem held her hand to her thigh. ‘About that high.’
‘What’s he wearing? We can put a description over the PA.’
While Clem gave the details Jonas wandered off. Suddenly, she heard his excited cry, ‘Clemmy! I’ve found Tim.’ Clem thanked the assistant and scooted round the corner, racing along a path bordered by bush, then stopping in her tracks. There was Tim, sitting on his haunches, stroking his Blankie and looking like he didn’t have a care in the world. Jonas was beside him, clutching a handful of T-shirt to stop him from running away.
Clem rushed up to them. ‘Tim!’ she cried, lifting him into her arms. ‘We’ve been looking for you.’ She held him close, kissing him on top of his head and smelling the scent of baby shampoo. She plastered him with kisses, saying, ‘I’m so happy I could eat you.’ Tim squirmed in her arms, then Clem turned to Jonas and gave him a huge hug, saying, ‘Well done, Jonas. What a good finder you are.’
‘Yes, I am.’
‘Darcy!’ called Clem. ‘Mio! Bryce! He’s here.’
While they were waiting for the others Clem lowered Tim to the ground and stood back. ‘What were you doing, Timmo? You gave us such a fright.’
‘I was feeding the dog some of my bickie.’ Tim pulled some sodden crumbs from his pocket then pointed to a small shed away from the others. ‘In there!’
Clem glanced at the shed, saying, ‘There’s no dog in there, you little muffin. It’s an equipment shed.’
