The Library by Bella Osborne

Author:Bella Osborne [Osborne, Bella]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781801100465
Publisher: Head of Zeus

*

There was no sign of Kemp after school, which was a relief. I did some revision in the school library until it was time to get the bus. It felt odd going back to Maggie’s instead of home. For the first time in hours I wondered how Dad was. My phone had been in my locker all day but there were no messages from him. The bus passed the end of Maggie’s track and I got a shot of happy through my veins. I wondered what was for dinner. The big breakfast, school lunch, sandwich and cake had kept me going all day but I was hungry now.

As I approached the house I could hear the faint bleating of the lambs in the field below and a hint of summer in the air. I loved it here – it was peaceful.

I tried the door and it was open. ‘Hiya!’ I called as I stepped inside.

‘Hello, Tom,’ called Maggie. ‘I’m in the sitting room.’

I went through and came to a sudden halt. Maggie was upside down. She was balanced on her head and forearms with her legs tied in a knot above her. ‘What the…?’

‘Lotus headstand,’ she said, before taking a slow deep breath.

‘Right. Why?’ I wasn’t sure why you’d stand on your head voluntarily.

Maggie let out the breath and as if in slow motion she uncrossed her legs and returned them to the floor and then into a kneeling position. ‘It’s yoga. I’m focusing on building strength in my upper arms.’

‘Right.’ She was full of surprises.

‘It’s very good for you. It also stretches your muscles and reverses the flow of gravity. It stimulates the immune system and improves your circulation.’

‘Gives you a different perspective too I guess.’ She had looked funny on her head.

‘Ha, ha,’ said Maggie. ‘Don’t knock it before you’ve tried it.’

‘Nah. You’re all right.’

Maggie shifted into sitting with her legs crossed and tilted her head on one side. ‘Join me.’ I didn’t know what to do. I was pleased I hadn’t got PE while revision and exams were on the timetable; I wasn’t expecting to have to do some here. ‘Come on. Sitting on the floor is not taxing.’

Reluctantly I sat opposite her on the rug. It took three goes to cross my legs and she chuckled at me. ‘My legs are longer than yours,’ I said in my defence.

‘And not half as flexible. At your age I could scratch my ears with my toes.’

‘There’s a useful skill.’ I laughed at the thought.

‘Close your eyes,’ said Maggie. I closed one to start with but she was watching me so I did as I was told. She talked slowly and we went through some breathing exercises. If it hadn’t been for the pins and needles in my foot it would have been quite relaxing.

‘Okay. Open your eyes,’ she said, eventually. ‘How was your day?’

‘All right.’

She gave a penetrating squint. ‘I’m going to need more than that.’ Her eyes were curious, interested.

I had a think. ‘We’re just going over stuff.

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