Turtle Walk by Joanne Macgregor

Author:Joanne Macgregor
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Joanne Macgregor

– 21 –

A penguin, a patient and a potion

“This place sounds like the Tuberculosis ward at the local hospital,” Nomusa said.

Samantha looked around at The Sound of Music cast and crew gathered in the freezing school hall for one of their evening rehearsals. Everyone was bundled up in thick jerseys, jackets and scarves, and at least half the cast seemed to have caught the flu.

“Why do they always stage school plays in the middle of winter?” Jessie asked, raising her voice to be heard above the surrounding sounds of coughing, sneezing, sniffing and nose-blowing.

“What’s the matter — don’t you like the sound of moving phlegm?” they heard a voice behind them say.

“Dan! That’s so gross!” Samantha turned and swatted her brother on the upper arm.

“Howzit, Sister Margaretta, Sister Sophia. Liesl.”

“It’s Louisa, Dan. Don’t you think that joke’s getting a little old?” Jessie said.

“Chillax, Jess. Anyone would think you’re not glad to see me.” Dan scanned the cast. “Who’s the penguin in purple?”

They turned to see a girl dressed in what seemed like several jerseys and a large, purple coat, walking towards Mrs. Borman. She was so heavily wrapped up that her arms stuck out at her sides and she did look a little like a waddling penguin.

“I think that’s Chelsea,” Nomusa said.

Just then, Mrs. Borman uttered a shrill shriek. “This is a disaster! A catastrophe! Mr. Matteson, we must consult!” She summoned the Clifford Heights teacher with an imperious motion of her hand, and they spoke for a few moments, then Mrs. Borman grabbed the collar of a skinny boy called Tehmal Nair, almost choking him.

“You, boy, go at once and call Matron McKenzie. Tell her our female lead has been afflicted with a severe case of laryngitis!”

Next to Samantha, there was a gasp from a girl who had spun around to stare at Mrs. Borman and the swaddled girl. It was Megan Macarthur and she had a bright, eager sort of look in her eyes as she walked over to throw a comforting arm around Chelsea.

“Why are you still standing here, boy? As still as a stony mortal beholding Medusa?” boomed Mrs. Borman.

“Please, ma’am, I don’t know who Matron McKenzie is, ma’am,” Tehmal stammered. “And I wouldn’t know where to find her. Or Medusa. Because this isn’t my school.”

“Ye gods and little fishes!” cried Mrs. Borman, her face turning a mottled red.

“She’s going to blow,” Jessie whispered excitedly.

“Perhaps — one of the girls?” Mr. Matteson suggested.

Cindy Atkins stepped forward. “Should I go call Matron McKenzie, Mrs. Borman? I’ll be able to find her.”

“Thank you, dear, yes,” said Mrs. Borman, who seemed to be trying to calm herself by taking deep breaths. “Explain our situation to her and ask her to come immediately.”

“Yes, ma’am. I’ll do it right away, ma’am.”

“Man, you’ve got to hand it to her. That girl sure knows how to suck up,” Dan said, sounding vaguely admiring. “Well, no point in staying if Borman’s not going to spontaneously combust. I’ve got a sound desk that needs wiring.”

He walked over to the stage, leapt onto it and disappeared into the front wing.

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