Academy Smash by Michael Panckridge

Author:Michael Panckridge
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Penguin Random House Australia
Published: 2017-03-22T04:00:00+00:00

Why are they here? Billy wondered. Had someone from the market told the Melbourne Stars coach or manager about Billy’s bowling competition? Maybe it had been Mrs Butterwhump? She probably knew someone important at the Melbourne Stars.

‘We’ve got trouble, Billy,’ Jack Karuzo said, carrying a large empty pot.

‘What trouble?’ Billy asked. ‘It’s going brilliantly.’

‘That’s the trouble,’ Jack said. ‘There’s no one shopping at the stalls. Everyone’s down here at your bowling comp. Old Butterwhump’s on the warpath.’

Billy’s stomach tightened. ‘So what should I do?’ he asked.

‘Wind the whole thing up, mate. Go see Olga. See how much money she’s made. You might already have enough to get into your cricket camp. Gotta dash, but don’t worry. It’ll be okay.’

But it wasn’t okay. Mrs Butterwhump burst into the area like a tornado. Without realising it, people stepped back. Mrs Butterwhump had that effect on everyone around her. Billy watched warily as she marched straight in front of a man about to bowl, causing him to stop suddenly. She strode up to Olga. Billy noticed a couple of stall owners scurry off, probably returning to their spots inside the market.

‘Am I good to go?’ the man with the ball called to Olga.

‘Won’t be a moment,’ Olga said, giving him a nervous smile.

Billy’s heart lurched when he saw Mrs Butterwhump peer into Olga’s money pouch. Her eyes narrowed momentarily before she took several paces back, folded her arms and looked sternly at the man waiting to bowl.

‘Righto then,’ Olga called, but with none of the earlier enthusiasm in her voice.

The line of bowlers thinned quickly. The Melbourne Stars players had disappeared as fast as they’d arrived, and soon there were only a few people, mainly children, waiting for a turn to bowl.

‘Wow, Billy, no one seems to have got near your speed,’ Wen-Lee said.

‘Wen-Lee, I think Mrs Butterwhump is up to something.’ He glanced in her direction. She hadn’t moved from her spot. She was like a statue.

Olga’s voice rose above the din around her. ‘It looks like Billy Hunter is the fastest bowler here today!’ There were some muted cheers and clapping from the fifty or so people who’d stayed to watch. ‘Billy, come on over and say a few words.’

Billy hesitated.

‘Go on, Billy,’ Wen-Lee said, giving her friend a gentle shove.

‘What do I say?’ Billy asked.

‘Well, for one thing, you can thank Olga and the stall owners.’

‘Yeah, okay,’ Billy agreed, but by the time he’d got to where Olga was standing, Mrs Butterwhump had taken hold of the megaphone.

‘Hello. This is a new activity I’ve brought to Northstage Market, making it the best market in all of Melbourne. So you better come again soon because you never know what exciting things will be happening here next!’ She was practically shouting by the time she’d finished. Billy watched in horror as she wrenched the purse from Olga and bustled back into the market.

Billy hesitated, torn between chasing after Mrs Butterwhump and staying to address everyone. He decided to do both and picked up the megaphone from the ground.

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