Spies in Disguise: Boy in Tights by Kate Scott

Author:Kate Scott [Scott, Kate]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Hot Key
Published: 2016-10-21T00:00:00+00:00

No. It’s not okay at all.

I take a deep breath and keep my eyes down – but that doesn’t stop me hearing things.

‘My bra straps are killing me,’ Nerida says.

I speed up but because I’ve got my eyes on the floor I nearly walk right into Melissa.

‘Do you wear a bra, Josie?’

‘YOU HAVE GOT TO BE JOKING!’

Everyone stares at me.

Mum and Dad might be spies, but I don’t think they have a clue how stressful this undercover stuff is.

Being in the gallery during the swimming session makes me think of our old life. I used to love swimming. Eddie liked playing this game called submarines. One person was the submarine and one person was the missile. You took it in turns to be the missile and try to sink the submarine. The only problem was that Eddie was a lot bigger than me and so he was a lot better at being the missile. By the end of the game, I’d be half drowned. But most of the time swimming was a laugh, though if it was with school we always ended up getting shouted at by Mr Burnside. Mr Burnside wasn’t a fan of submarines.

I’ve brought my favourite Dan McGuire book, Dan McGuire and the Code-Cracker, but it’s hard to concentrate when everyone else is splashing about and laughing. Then Mr Caulfield sits a couple of rows in front of me. I forget all about the swimming session and the book because Mr Caulfield has his mobile in his hand. This is my chance to do a secret recording!

I inch my leg over the seat in front of me so that I can drop into the row directly behind him. He doesn’t notice me. He’s already talking by the time I’m in earshot. I click on my recording pen and hold it out as far as I can. His conversation might turn out to be boring but at least I’ll be getting some practice in.

‘I’ve had an excellent idea of how to add to our takings … a little charity work project. It will mean we have to move quickly – but I think it could improve both our bank balances. There’s only so much money to be gained from the local council’s grants, after all.’

There’s a pause as Mr Caulfield listens.

‘Mark, Mark, you worry too much. You forget that I’ve been at Bothen Hill School for fifteen years – why would anyone suspect me? I’m just making sure my bank balance will be big enough for me to live on when I retire.’

Not so boring after all.

The leisure centre’s swimming instructor blows a whistle and everyone swims back to the end of the pool. I quickly pull out my book and bury myself in the pages as Mr Caulfield says goodbye and pockets his mobile.

‘Josie!’

I pretend to be lost in my book and only react after a second. ‘Oh, hello, Mr Caulfield.’

‘I didn’t see you there.’ Mr Caulfield’s smile doesn’t quite reach his eyes.

‘I came back from the toilet and then got into my book, sir.

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