Audrey Goes to Town by Christine Harris

Author:Christine Harris
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: JUV000000, book
ISBN: 9781742735740
Publisher: Hardie Grant Egmont
Published: 2008-10-01T00:00:00+00:00

Twenty

Audrey left the house with Mrs Paterson’s list of ‘Don’ts’ for walking through town ringing in her ears. It was almost as long as the list for how to behave inside the house. Mrs Paterson had finished with, ‘Don’t let the Jenkins children lead you into trouble.’ She had not said what kind of ‘trouble’. Audrey wished she had. That might have made the list more interesting. But Mrs Paterson had rules without many ideas.

If Audrey’s secret plan backfired, she knew she would get into trouble for sure.

Douglas gripped her hand firmly. His skipping tugged on her arm.

A large whirlwind sped across the road, gathering dust as Stumpy arrived.

Audrey grinned. ‘You were a long time.’ She understood his wanting to be with other camels because she was excited about making new friends too.

Clouds covered the sun. Audrey shivered, despite her cardigan. A breeze played with the hem of her blue smock dress. Fine rain began to tickle her face.

Beltana was rich with water. Two creeks snaked around the town. Audrey wished her family had even one creek near their house. But at least they had the well and, so far, it had never dried up.

A boy with flappy ears walked past. He coughed with his mouth wide open. Mrs Paterson wouldn’t have liked that. You were supposed to cover your mouth when you coughed, so people couldn’t see down your throat.

‘Hello.’ Audrey smiled at the boy.

‘Hello,’ repeated Douglas.

The boy didn’t answer.

Douglas made a noise.

Stumpy whispered to Audrey.

‘No, Stumpy,’ Audrey replied. ‘There’s nothing wrong with Dougie. He’s just humming.’

Douglas hummed louder.

Audrey’s steps slowed as they walked past the hospital. She looked at each window, hoping to see a familiar face or a hand waving a handkerchief. But there was nothing. Not the slightest brush of a curtain.

There were more people in town than out bush. But more people didn’t always stop you feeling lonely.

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