The Winds of Heaven by Judith Clarke

Author:Judith Clarke
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: Allen & Unwin Pty Ltd
Published: 2009-09-01T04:00:00+00:00

That Christmas Clementine’s parents had given her a new bicycle – a scarlet Malvern Star with a stripe and trimmings in brownish-gold, colours which made her think for a sad moment of the King’s School and Simon Falls in his soldier’s uniform. The bicycle had a basket on the front, and a big leather saddlebag on the back, and Dad had talked Mum round into letting Clementine ride it to school. ‘She won’t have to carry that heavy old case anymore,’ he said, patting the leather saddlebag proudly. ‘She can put all her books in here.’ He turned to Mum with a little air of triumph. ‘See, Cissie? Plenty of room!’

‘That school case is heavy,’ Mum agreed. ‘Some days it bends her right to one side.’

‘There you are, then,’ crowed Dad, and he’d winked at Clementine. ‘We don’t want her waking up one morning with one arm longer than the other, do we?’

Mum looked doubtfully at Dad, and then at Clementine, and then at the bicycle, gleaming against the wall. Mrs Southey had a dimple in her cheek, and suddenly it showed. ‘Oh, all right,’ she said, and Mr Southey put his arm around her waist and gave her a little squeeze.

‘I know you both think I’m an old fusspot,’ said Mrs Southey, with a sudden tearful sound in her voice.

‘No, no! We don’t!’

‘Yes you do. You think I don’t realise she’s growing up, but I do. I know it.’ Mrs Southey dabbed at her eyes. ‘You don’t have to keep reminding me.’

Clementine rushed at her mother and hugged her tight. ‘Thanks, Mum!’

‘But only on the back roads, mind, Clementine. Take the back way, up the hill. I don’t want you getting skittled riding down Villawood Road.’

‘I won’t go anywhere near Villawood Road,’ promised Clementine.

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