Friday Barnes 3 by R. A. Spratt

Author:R. A. Spratt
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: Penguin Random House Australia
Published: 2015-08-28T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter 14

Trouble with Binky

When Friday and Melanie returned to their dorm room, they found the door unlocked.

‘Someone’s broken in,’ whispered Friday.

‘Again?’ said Melanie. ‘Should we go in and find out who it is?’

‘It might be a dangerous psychopath,’ said Friday.

‘Who at this school is a dangerous psychopath?’ asked Melanie.

‘Half the student body,’ said Friday. ‘And all the teachers in the maths department.’

‘I suppose,’ agreed Melanie. ‘Well, we could stay out here but the dangerous psychopath is bound to find us eventually, so we might as well go in and get it over with.’

‘All right,’ said Friday. ‘But stay behind me. If he’s violent, I’ll try reasoning with him while you run to fetch help.’

‘I’d rather run to the dining room and have another jam tart,’ said Melanie. ‘They were very good tonight.’

Friday pushed open the door to the room. ‘Who’s in there?’ she called.

‘It’s only me.’

Friday stuck her head around the door. ‘Binky?!’

Melanie’s older brother Binky was sitting on her bed. He was perched on the corner, because he was self-conscious that he was a large boy and he didn’t want to rumple or break anything accidentally.

‘Why did you break into our room?’ Friday asked.

‘I didn’t,’ he said, shocked at the suggestion. ‘The door was wide open when I arrived.’

‘That’s probably my fault,’ said Melanie. ‘Closing things isn’t my strong suit. That’s why I try to always leave the room with you. I know you’ll close the door behind you. But if I’m on my own, the responsibility is too much.’

‘What are you doing here?’ asked Friday. ‘Have you just come to visit Melanie?’

‘No,’ said Binky earnestly. ‘I need help.’

‘You’re not in a fight again, are you?’ asked Friday.

‘Gosh, no,’ said Binky, shaking his head. ‘Something much worse.’

‘What?’ asked Melanie.

Binky leaned forward and whispered, ‘I’ve fallen in love.’

‘Oh dear,’ said Melanie.

‘I know,’ said Binky, nodding his head in agreement.

‘Know what?’ asked Friday.

‘Binky isn’t very good at that type of thing,’ explained Melanie. ‘You know, expressing himself and talking to girls.’

‘He talks to me,’ said Friday.

‘Yes, but I don’t think of you as a girl,’ said Binky.

‘Why not?’ asked Friday.

‘I think of you as more as a figure of authority who rescues me when I’ve got myself in a terrible bother,’ said Binky truthfully.

‘Well, that is nice,’ said Friday. ‘But you could think of me as a girl as well.’

‘I suppose,’ said Binky. His brow wrinkled as he thought about it. ‘But it’s not entirely my fault. You’re the one who chooses to wear those cardigans.’

‘So who are you in love with?’ asked Melanie.

‘I don’t know her name,’ said Binky.

‘Why not?’ asked Friday.

‘Haven’t had the courage to ask her,’ said Binky seriously. ‘She’s too beautiful for just a run-of-the-mill sort of conversation. I’d have to think of something charming to say, and that could take hours.’

‘So where have you seen her?’ asked Melanie.

‘Here,’ said Binky.

‘In our room?’ asked Friday.

‘She’s your neighbour,’ said Binky.

‘Ah, the princess,’ said Friday. ‘Everyone seems to be falling in love with her.’

‘No, not that one,’ said Binky, shaking his head.

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