B.A.S.E. Camp
Page 6
He nodded in agreement. ‘I knew it was all wrong really,’ he admitted.
‘Glad to hear you say that,’ Eddie said with satisfaction.
Gareth bounced off the cushion, unable to keep the news to himself any longer. ‘Foxy’s not the only one who’s had that idea,’ he told them excitedly. ‘Gramps is thinking about buying the Old Manor!’
‘What!’ Adam exclaimed. ‘That bang on the head must be worse than they think. He’s lost his marbles!’
Gareth grinned. ‘No, he hasn’t. Didn’t I tell you – he’s rich!’
The others looked at one another blankly.
‘Think we might have remembered something like that,’ said Tom.
‘Sorry, I suppose we do tend to keep it quiet,’ Gareth conceded. ‘It can change the way people treat you, if they know.’
‘Maybe Old Taffy did know,’ said Adam. ‘Perhaps he was gonna kidnap you and force Gramps to cough up loads of dosh.’
‘Doubt it,’ said Gareth. ‘I mean, if that were the case, he wouldn’t have tried to kill him, would he?’
‘Hmm, you might have a point there,’ Adam conceded.
‘So is your gramps coming to live here?’ asked Eddie.
Gareth shook his head. ‘Don’t think so, but I suppose he might come and stay every now and again. Y’know, keep an eye on the place, for old times’ sake.’
‘So what does he have planned?’
‘Well, it’s early days yet, of course, but there’s enough space for coaching all kinds of sports, not just athletics. Football, rugby, cricket, gymnastics, swimming – you name it,’ Gareth said, then added, ‘and not just for boys.’
‘Girls!’ Adam grinned. ‘Now that would be worth coming back here for!’
‘Doubt if Taffy would agree to sell it to him,’ said Tom. ‘Not after what happened.’
‘Yeah – guess that might be a problem,’ Gareth admitted.
‘What about YT?’ Jacko put in. ‘I don’t suppose he will get locked up – he’s too young, and it wasn’t really his fault. Perhaps he deserves another chance.’
‘Maybe that’s how Gramps will persuade Old Taffy to sell up,’ said Gareth. ‘Y’know, if YT were allowed to live here and prove he can change his ways.’
‘Hope so,’ said Jacko. ‘He’s not a bad kid, really, once you get to know him.’
Gareth had done enough talking. ‘Let’s have a final jog around the track. Do a lap of honour!’
‘You’ve got to be joking,’ Tom protested, as everyone else jumped to their feet. ‘I’m gonna turn in.’
‘Oh no, you’re not, Tom-Tom,’ laughed Adam, steering him towards the track. ‘I know what you’ve got in mind – sneakin’ back inside for some more of that juice.’
‘Juice is banned from now on,’ Eddie told him. ‘A bit of exercise will do you far more good.’
‘Dead right!’ agreed Gareth, breaking into a trot. ‘You know, I reckon Gramps could be onto a great thing here – a real winner!’
‘C’mon, guys, run!’ cried Adam. ‘Let’s do it! Let’s go for gold!’
First published 2008 by
A & C Black Publishers Ltd
38 Soho Square, London, W1D 3HB
www.acblack.com
Text copyright © 2008 Rob Childs
Illustrations copyright © 2008 Pam Smy
The rights of Rob Childs and Pam Smy to be identified as the author and illustrator of this work respectively have been asserted by them in accordance with the Copyrights, Designs and Patents Act 1988.
Print ISBN: 978-0-71368-962-4
Ebook ISBN: 978-1-40815-339-0
A CIP catalogue for this book is available from the British Library.
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