Boot It by Adrian Beck

Author:Adrian Beck
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780143791270
Publisher: Penguin Random House Australia

‘Stop right there!’ cried CJ, arriving at the clubroom doors just as Baldock was about to shuffle inside.

Baldock grunted, as if to say ‘cool it, kid,’ but CJ pushed past him and got inside. He jumped up on the bench with his palms raised trying to freeze the moment.

‘Don’t move an inch, boot thief!’

Baldock ignored him and started turning off the lights.

‘I said STOP!’

Baldock paused. He grumbled to himself and shook his head.

‘I’m onto you,’ said CJ, turning to point to where he’d left his stuff. ‘I’m not going to fall for this twice. I know you’ve come in here to steal my boots.’

‘What boots?’ asked Charlotte from the doorway.

Huh? CJ glanced down at the bench. She was right. There were NO BOOTS. CJ’s bag was open, lying on its side, and the boots were already gone.

‘But? Wha? Um.’ CJ wasn’t making much sense as he jumped down and double-checked that his mum’s boots were definitely missing.

Charlotte ran over and looked under the bench. Then she opened all the lockers. She also jumped up to glance along the top of the lockers where the windows met the ceiling. She even peered into the rubbish bin. No boots anywhere.

KLUNK! KLUNK! Baldock thumped his key change into the lights’ switch. He stared at CJ and Charlotte.

‘He wants to lock up,’ said CJ.

‘Lucky that’s all he wants,’ replied Charlotte. ‘After your accusations.’

CJ and Charlotte grabbed their bags. They hurried out of the clubrooms as Baldock started flicking off the last couple of lights.

A second later, CJ poked his head back in, ‘Um, sorry!’

Baldock grunted. CJ zipped out of there.

Outside, Charlotte suggested they scan their surroundings for clues. She checked the Captain Jindaberg statue.

‘Nothing.’

CJ shook the cherry blossom tree. ‘Still nothing!’

Charlotte gave the playground a once over. ‘More nothing!’

CJ even ventured into the chicken coop. The featherless chicken EYED HIM OFF. The others waddled towards him. Even though he took a quick look he was pretty sure none of them were using his mum’s old boots as a nest. Of course, doing so would’ve required a rather uniquely shaped butt.

‘Big fat zero,’ said CJ. ‘Normal butt chickens.’

‘What?’

‘Don’t worry.’

Charlotte explained that she’d scheduled herself to finish some maths homework, put out the bins and repair her brother’s BMX before she cooked dinner for the family. CJ’s schedule wasn’t quite as full, but they got moving regardless.

Garlic bounded up to them at the school gate. CJ gave the scruffy dog a big pat. ‘You seriously reckon my socks smell worse than this guy.’

‘A real toss up,’ said Charlotte. ‘Hang on. Wow! That’s given me a brilliant idea.’

CJ winked. ‘You’re welcome!’

‘You stink!’

‘Hey!’

‘Like parmesan on poop, or something. But let’s use that!’ said Charlotte, clapping her hands together. ‘Take one of your socks off and let Garlic have a good sniff. He might be able to track down your mum’s boots.’

‘Aw, yeah! Sweet!’ said CJ, yanking off his sock and waving it in the air like it was some sort of dog treat.

‘Not so close to me,’ said Charlotte, holding her nose and shoving CJ away.

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