The Journal of Paul O'Leary: From the City to the Outback Read online

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  The day of our departure arrived. We’d spent two nights at Auntie’s in our own beds and drove the car to Black Rock the day before. Dad’s sister drove us back to Auntie’s place and we settled in for the night, watching telly and eating fish and chips. Auntie’s sister and brother also came over to say goodbye and to eat. It was sad and exciting all at the same time.

  At nine o’clock Dad announced bed time as we had to be at the airport around 6.30 a.m. It took me ages to go to sleep and I kept dreaming of planes crashing. It was a relief to wake up.

  We woke to a cold and dark morning which I noticed more as I had on shorts and a t-shirt and one pullover. I knew the latter would be discarded once we were close to Broome. Dad was dressed in the same clothes and wasn’t tearful to say goodbye to Auntie as he was happy to be on his way to meet Mum after six months. We had our e-tickets which were printed out by our neighbour at her work. She ended up printing a few things for us for which we were really grateful.

  Before checking in at the airport, we drove to the Air Express office and made sure that Lassie was safely tucked in with a frozen bottle of water tied to her cage. The people at the office had suggested this and we froze a bottle the night before. The idea is that she can lick the bottle and get some moisture without making a mess. Then, after checking ourselves in, Dad treated us at Maccas and I had my favourite, Hotcakes. I couldn’t sit still and kept checking my watch to make sure we were at our Gate in plenty of time.

  “It won’t make any difference whether we are first or last in the queue. Everyone already has their boarding pass and their seat number.”

  “I want to see if I have a window seat.”

  “Of course, you do. We organised that at the counter.”

  “Can I watch some planes taxiing out?”

  “Sure, but I don’t think you’ll see much from our Gate position as it faces away from the planes taxiing out.”

  “I don’t mind. I want to see some action.”

  “Okay Paul. Ten minutes of watching then we’ll go to our Gate and sit quietly. You’ve got some good stories to read.”

  “Yeah, Dad. Thanks again for the Kindle.”

  I eventually settled down and fired up my Kindle. I started a new story which happened to be a pilot’s story and his near misses. Not what I should be reading before a flight. So I pressed “Home” and chose another story called “Pi” and I was soon lost in his adventures with the tiger. I love being scared and could really get into how he survived with a tiger on board his boat.

  6 We arrive in Broome.

  So we settled down and kept an ear out for our flight. It eventually came and we lined up with a heap of other people, all going to Broome. I know that because it’s a direct flight. A lot of people were wearing shorts as well as pullovers because it was winter in Melbourne. I was really excited now as I stepped onto the plane and followed Dad down the aisle. The stewards and air hostesses were polite and welcomed us on board. No one looked like a terrorist so we should be safe.

  We placed our bags and Dad’s laptop in the overhead luggage locker and only had our Kindles out. Sure enough, we had to turn off our mobile phones as well as our Kindles before we took off. Dad had a new phone and he had trouble turning it off. In the end he asked a guy in front of us and he did it – so simple when you know how.

  I wonder what would happen if we left them on? The stewards and air hostesses wandered up and down the aisles checking on us to see if we had our seatbelts fastened. What would happen if I placed my Kindle in the holder in front of me and forgot to turn it off. Of course, it goes to sleep automatically. I think they don’t really know because Dad couldn’t turn off his mobile phone on a previous flight until he was almost at his destination when he found “flight mode”. I guess it’s a precaution. What about 9/11 in the States? The passengers phoned family and friends before they crashed.

  By the time we taxied out it was getting light and I could see parts of Tullamarine until we reached the clouds. A message came over the system and we could turn on our Kindles while we waited for breakfast, our second one.

  I was busy looking out the window, even if it was clouds. To be so high in the sky was amazing with little movement. The only scary part was taking off as we were flung back in our seats and the tarmac flew by. Then we were away, away to Broome, to Mum and a whole new life. I promised Johnny I would send him a postcard and wouldn’t forget him.

  “Dad, will you remind me to send a postcard to Johnny. I have his address in my Kindle pocket and a stamp.”

  “I don’t think you’ll forget him, Paul.”

  I must have dozed off after breakfast which included muesli which is not my favourite, so I left it. The roll was OK. I was glad I’d had my Hotcakes. When I woke up, the movies were showing so I plugged in my headphones and surfed the movie channels. The Incredibles were showing so I ditched the headphones as I’d seen the movie only the other week. I opened up my Kindle and read a story about a boy and a spaceship. Now, that was exciting. I could really get into that story. But before I could dream of being in a spaceship, flung back in my seat, reaching for the stars, being chased by pirates because I had something precious on board, there was a ping.

  “Electronics off and fasten seatbelts. We are approaching Broome International Airport.”

  As we skimmed over Roebuck Bay I then understood why the air hostess told us about life jackets. We seemed to go on forever and close to the water. Then we were lined up with the runway and next thing I knew, we had touched down with an oomph. It was an amazing sight, palm trees everywhere and a tiny transit lounge.

  Off came the pullovers and we stuffed them into our cabin bags. Out into the steamy heat we strolled.

  “This is really hot, Dad.”

  He chuckled as he had been here before. And there was Mum, waiting patiently for us to appear in the terminal. Hugs and kisses all round, collecting our luggage and back out into the heat to our car, a station wagon. Then we had to wait for Lassie. Mum went off to see what the hold-up was but to no avail. There was a bit of a breeze as we waited under a tree.

  A few other people were also waiting.

  “I hope Lassie made it okay, Dad,” I said.

  “I’m sure she’ll be fine. She’s very healthy and she has a letter from the vet saying she’s fit to travel.”

  “Did she travel with our luggage, do you think?”

  “I expect so,” said Dad.

  Eventually, a gate opened and there was Lassie, itching to get out. I grabbed her lead and towel from the cage and Dad walked her to the car. She was so excited to see us and Mum who had the week off to show us around. A very short while later we were in our house in Roebuck estate. After a drink and a snack for all of us, we took Lassie for a walk in Cygnet Park. It contains many rain gardens. It must rain an awful lot here. Strangely, there are no gutters on the edge of the road and no gutters on the roofs of the houses.

  “The rain is very heavy here and gutters wouldn’t be able to cope” said Mum.” The rain gardens take the overflow from the road just like the set up at home where the rain from the roof goes into a pipe which flows into the pond and the overflow runs into the water channel round to the front of the house. “

  “Thanks Mum, I guess you know a bit about the park.”

  “Yes, it’s surrounded by four roads with rocks in the rain gardens to catch any debris. Then the water flows into the middle where there are trees and a pump to a water tank. It shouldn’t rain for a while as it’s now the dry season although you might bring some. The wet season wasn’t very wet except for the edge of a cyclone in February. We shall see.”

  I worried that Lassie would get lost in the creek in the middle of the park. I’ll keep her on the lead until I’m sure she was safe.

  That night we had a roast of chicken and vegies though I wasn’t feeling very hungry. I excused myself and went to bed dreaming of floating away in a storm-tossed creek. Johnny was throwing me a life-line but I couldn�
��t reach it, no matter how hard I stretched. I was going down for the third time when Lassie appeared. I clung to her wet coat as we both paddled towards a lower shore. Scary.

  My first day in Broome was warm and sticky. I sorted out my clean clothes from the dirty ones and put them in the washing machine.

  The fridge was pretty full and I found some milk. The cereal was on the bench ready for me. But first I had to feed the dog. I found her meat roll and cut it up. I looked around for a plate or saucer to put her food on and had to settle for an ice cream lid out of the recycle box. I fed her outside and left her there while I had my breakfast.

  “Dogs aren’t allowed inside,” said Mum. “Because of the carpet. I know it’s really silly to have carpet in the tropics but that’s the way it is. Later on when she’s settled down, we’ll let her come in and lie on a sheet in the lounge. We’ll have to be strict with her and all be on the same page.”

  “No worries, Mum,” I said.

  7 Exploring my new Neighborhood.

  It was the start of the weekend and I was allowed to sleep in, but I was too excited, wanting to explore the streets around us and the park nearby with Lassie. I took note of the street names so I would know how to return home. They all seemed to be bird names. We lived on Heron and it joined with Whimbrel which joined with Sandpiper which was the main drag that went for a long way to Sandpiper, so Mum said.

  “If we turn left into Sandpiper that will take us to a large roundabout which is the Broome highway, the main road north of town. We’ll turn right to go into town. On our right is the airport runway. On our left are mangroves. Then we negotiate a bigger roundabout and we can go in three directions, left to Chinatown, straight ahead to the market, the bank and Kimberley podiatry and further on to Bunnings and the printer. If we signal right, then we head to my work and the airport.”

  Dad’s ears pricked up when he heard the word ‘printer’ but he would have to wait until Monday to pick up his printing. Mum promised to take us around but I was confused already and I couldn’t see Dad finding his way around at first. Not to worry; Mum was taking a week off so we could get oriented. It was probably just as well I didn’t have a bike yet as lots of cars were 4WDs. I didn’t want to end up in hospital my first week here.

  “If you walk to the store, you’ll see your school opposite,” said Mum. “I told them we would be in on Monday to enrol you and they can decide which class or year you’ll be in. I expect it will still be year 5. Year 7 is still part of the primary school but they will join the secondary school in 2015. The principal showed me around. They have a great library which they’re enlarging so you’ll be able to borrow a couple of books at a time. On the left hand side of the store is our Post Office box and I’ll give you a key so you can check it for mail on your way home from school.”

  “How cool is that. And I’ll have my pack to put the mail in,” I said.

  “Remember to slow down when you’re walking Lassie as it’s still hot and sticky and she’s not going to want to walk too fast nor too far.”

  “Okay Mum. But if she wants to pull me along, I’ll let her till she slows down.”

  “Let’s sort through your clothes and do a load of washing. You too, Harry. Your clothes will dry fairly quickly and your favourites will be ready for tomorrow.”

  So Saturday was tied up with washing and making a list of what we needed. Mum and Dad wanted a queen size bed so we marked that down for Monday as Kim Furnishings are opposite the Copy Centre as the printer is called. Target was in the Woollies complex called the Boulevard Shopping Centre so Mum wrote down what we could expect to buy there, like crockery and saucepans and sheets for their bed. The Red Dot shop next door should have a few cheap items, like shower curtains (we have two showers, so one for me). Plus whatever else we needed like cutlery and wooden spoons.

  I had another walk with Lassie in the park and followed it right around. There were other kids in the park plus some dogs not on leads. This worried me and I did a big circle away from them on the opposite side of the road. Lassie wanted to play but I wasn’t too sure. We passed the swings and slides and other equipment. I really wanted to play myself. So I tied up Lassie and used a swing until I tired of it. I was Superboy coming to the rescue but a Kryptonite baddie was on my tail. Whoosh, I escaped, but only by the hair of my chinny-chin-chin.

  Round the back of the park there was a band stand but no one was playing there. There were also some sections of concrete paths to follow and quite a few rain gardens to negotiate before we got back to the grass.

  “Mum, Dad, can I go and play on the playground in the park?”

  Mum looked at Dad and he looked at her.

  “How about I come with you the first time and see what they have,” said Dad.

  “Okay.”

  So off we went and I had a glorious time with Dad pushing me on the swings, higher and higher. I didn’t let on I’d already been on the swings. This time I was so high no baddies could catch me.

  “I see there are two BBQ plates for a picnic. Maybe we could have a sausage sizzle one day,” said Dad.

  “That would be cool,” I said.

  When we returned home, Mum had started dinner so we sat around the dining room table and told her what we’d found in the park.

  “My friends often take their kids and dogs to different beaches near sunset. I think I can find them again and Lassie can be off her lead and run around and socialise. I picked up a small folding table and two folding chairs so we adults can sit in style while you swim and play with Lassie.”

  “I heard there are stingers in the water,” I said.

  “You should be right this time of year. You’ll only be in the shallows and we’ll get you a skim board. Would you like that?”

  “Yes, please, Mum.”

  We had a quiet time without a TV and went to bed early. When I woke the sun was up and so were Mum and Dad.

  “Hi there sleepy-head,” said Dad, “what did you dream about last night?”

  ‘I think I was in a monastery or a chapel just like you were Dad. There were men chanting. One came out to the middle of the chapel and knelt down. Another brother came up behind him and pulled off his shirt. It looked like he had been whipping himself.

  “You waking me up interrupted the dream though I was glad as it was scary because it was me who’d been whipped.

  “Did this ever happen to you, Dad, when you were studying to be a brother?”

  “It’s called ‘flagellation’, Paul and the Second Vatican Council decreed it should stop.

  “All the brothers had a rope around their waist with knots on the end. On Friday they would have a session whereby each brother went to his cell and whipped himself.

  “Our Novice Master told us the story of a brother who hit a table instead of himself. He was soon found out because he was so noisy.”

  “After breakfast we’re going to the Broome Visitor Centre,” said Dad, “ to pick up some brochures and we can put some tours on our bucket list. Then to the market where you can wander and we’ll have morning tea there. How does that sound?”

  “Sounds good to me. Hey, where’s Lassie? She’s usually watching us through the window.”

  We all raced outside and there was the gate open. We looked up and down the street and called her name.

  “I bet she went to the park as there were lots of dogs around when we last walked,” I said.

  “You two go to the park,” said Dad, “and I’ll go towards the store.”

  It took a while, shouting her name, and looking in the bushes in the middle of the park. Eventually she came bounding up to me, full of cheek, as if to say, “aren’t I a clever girl”.

  “Just as well you went to close locations,” said Dad, “so she should’ve found her way back eventually. Let’s go home and have morning tea.”

  Dad tied up the gate, and put a chain and padlock on the shopping list.

  8 Broome the Neighborhood.

  When we got to the Broome
Visitor Centre it was nearly nine o’clock and crowds of people were there. Outside there was a sea of caravans and camper trailers and twoWinnebagos. It was all very exciting for me seeing all these people on the move, whereas my family was staying put.

  “We’ll look at these later,” said Dad, “and Mum has found a street map so I can find my way around. When you’re at secondary school in one and a half years’ time, Paul, we’ll get you a bike. You should know your way around by then.”

  One and a half years’ time. That’s a long time to wait. I would really love a bike now as it’s too far to walk into town.

  We didn’t have far to go to get to the market which was crowded inside and out. Mum took a while to find a parking space but we ended up close by. I didn’t see any kids my age so I couldn’t ask where to go.

  We entered by the back way and she waved to her friend who was selling pearls. He was busy so we left him to it. There was a guy next to him who did dog tags and Lassie’s was wearing thin. You couldn’t see the phone number so we ordered one for $20.

  The market is in the grounds of the Courthouse and Mum has to go there when there are court cases with her clients. There were stalls everywhere and one section was wholly food so Mum and Dad ordered a coffee and I had an ice cream, mango. It was all rather exotic and Asian with Filipino food and baked potatoes for an Aussie flavour.

  Near the Courthouse was a guy who was a contortionist. We only saw the end of the show when he pulled a tennis racquet over his body, then swallowed a sword. We gave him a few dollars as we hadn’t seen the whole act. Lots of pearls were for sale, naturally, and one of our brochures is for the pearl farm at Willie Creek. Maybe.

  By now I’d had enough and we still had to go shopping. We drove to the Boulevard Shopping Centre while I had a snooze but not for long as everything is close by and is air- conditioned. The Dick Smith store had a TV and table and DVD player. Target had the sheet set, crockery set and saucepans and the Red Dot store had the shower curtains and cutlery. Everything fitted into the back of the station wagon but I got to nurse the crockery. I hoped I could save it if we had an accident but most people drove slowly except for the noisy scooters.

  I dozed off instead of memorising the streets and soon we were home. I was sent to bed while Mum and Dad unpacked everything. And Lassie was still in the yard.

  When I woke up it was still light though the sun was starting to set.

  “I’m glad you’re up,” said Mum. “How about a drive to the Port beach so you and Lassie can play on the sand?”

  “Sounds great”, I said. “I’ll get my togs in case we end up in the water.”

  “I bought you a beach towel so you can christen that too”, said Mum.

  This time we drove forever to the Port beach. The tide was in so we couldn’t drive onto the sand. I’d be too scared we’d get bogged.

  “I’ve done it and lots of other people have too” said Mum.” We sit on our chairs and have a drink. Instead, today we’ll walk on the beach as far as we can to the rocks. When we get back you can have your soft drink while your Dad and I have a cider.”

  Wow, it was such fun to run on the sand and have Lassie race ahead. I was worried she wouldn’t come back when I called her as we hadn’t practiced that lately. A few times she ran off into the distance and no amount of calling would bring her back, especially as there were other dogs to play with. I had to run to catch up and show her who the boss is by getting her to sit. She didn’t want to play that game so I put her on the lead and got her to heel. She kept looking at me, wondering why the other dogs could run around and she couldn’t.

  I was pretty tired by the time we got back to the car. Mum and Dad were ready to leave with the sun setting in the west. What a day. I think I’ll sleep well tonight and I couldn’t eat anything anyway.

  I did sleep, until 10 am.

  I dreamt I was a pirate, sailing the high seas round Roebuck Bay and terrorising the locals. But I got into trouble and had to walk the plank. We had stolen some pearls and I had kept some for myself. One of the sailors saw me and told the captain.

  The cold water woke me up but it was Mum with a wet washer. I need to practice my swimming strokes so I can dream of saving myself, and not before the sharks get me.

  “No school for you this week, Paul. We can’t have you falling asleep in class.”

  Beauty! No school for a whole week. Mum and Dad left me alone to have breakfast while they went out shopping for food. What we bought yesterday was still waiting to be unpacked, except for the TV stand. Dad had obviously made a start on it even though he hates putting things together. He’s definitely not a fan of assembling Ikea furniture.

  I hope we get the TV hooked up soon as well as Foxtel. We’d bought our set top box from Melbourne so it was just a question of setting it up, or so I thought. I guess a satellite dish might be needed like we had back home and that could take a while.

  We weren’t on the Internet yet though Mum could hook up her mobile phone to her laptop and check her email that way. For now I had Lassie to walk and my Kindle to read. So I did both of those, again keeping an eye on the streets so I didn’t get lost. Once I did and ended up at a dry creek which was also part of the rain gardens as I found out later. I was worried for awhile then remembered how the streets are laid out and all go to Sanderling. I was in a right old sweat as it was nearly lunchtime.

  I followed a loop around and nearly every house had a dog in it. And they all seemed secure in their yards. We were glad to head for the park and we walked nearly all the way around it when we saw a dog on the loose in the next street. So we backtracked and made it home safely.

  Mum and Dad were home and Dad was back to his TV table.

  “When are we getting the TV set up?” I asked Mum.

  “The technicians are coming on Wednesday so everything will be set up then. Go and read your Kindle so you’re not bothering your father. I’ll call you when lunch is ready. In the meantime, take this cold bottle of water with you to cool yourself down.”

  “Thanks Mum.”

  I lay down to read my Kindle and promptly fell asleep. I was still reading about a boy in a spaceship who was now running out of air. Would he make it to the next planet or would he die trying? Surely there were spare tanks of oxygen but he couldn’t steer his spaceship and look for the tanks.

  Next thing I knew, Mum was calling me.

  “Lunch time, sleepy head.”

  “I’m not really hungry.”

  “Try a quarter of a sandwich. And here’s some cordial to help wash it down.”

  “Thanks Mum. Lime, my favourite.”

  “And some cold water. Every time you have a drink using this water bottle, remember to fill it up and return it to the fridge. You’ll find you’re always thirsty because of the heat and the humidity.”

  I sat down and ate half a sandwich which was Vegemite, another of my favourites, besides peanut butter and Nutella. I like crunchy peanut butter for school but only one and half sandwiches. I find that’s enough. I hope I can keep my cordial cool all day at school.

  “It looks like the kids at Roey don’t have pegs or lockers. I could see their bags all lined up outside their classrooms,” said Dad. “I wonder if they have a tuckshop or whether they use the Store. You could order your lunch on Mondays like I used to do sometimes. When I was in primary school, the bread on Mondays was stale. The class monitors would dob us in to the teachers if we didn’t eat our crusts. That’s why, today, I don’t usually eat them.

  “Well, I’ve finished the TV table. Now all we need is the TV.”

  “Don’t you try putting it together, Harry. The technicians have been paid $100 to do that.’

  “Okay. I can at least unwrap it and the DVD player which is really tiny,” said Dad.

  “If you must. I’m going to lie down. You two can do the dishes,” said Mum as she headed off to the bedroom.

  There weren’t many dishes and it took us all of ten minutes to tidy up.


  “What do you want to do this afternoon, Paul?”

  “Well, I’ve walked Lassie and it’s really hot so I think I’ll read my Kindle and maybe doze off under the fan. Except I have some weird dreams.”

  “See you later, Paul.”

  9 Starting My New School.

  Again, it was dark by the time I woke up. Mum and Dad were sitting in the lounge room, quietly chatting. The fan and the air conditioning were on, so I joined them.

  “Why is it always dark so early? The sun sets rather quickly here or is that my imagination?”

  “It’s because we’re in the tropics”, said Dad. “We’re so much closer to the equator. I’ve been to Kenya and the first night we were on safari, there was no warning as it became dark, like a blind going down.”

  “When was that, Dad?”

  “Before you were born. I was travelling with a girl friend who wanted to return to Africa and spend some time there. We stayed about six weeks and went on a tour to the north, to the Aberdares for the elephants then to Lake Nakuru where the flamingos hang out. We had a great time until my friend came down with malaria and we lost a few days while she recovered.

  “We were staying at a host’s house and the maid had to give up her bed and sleep in the kitchen. My friend had a fever and I kept sponging her down. We had the right medication but it was back in Nairobi, so that was no help.

  “On our way back to Oz we had to fly via Zimbabwe so we stopped there for a few nights at Victoria Falls.”

  “Have you been on any trips, Mum?”

  “Sure. I’ve worked in New York with an organisation to end poverty and went to Bangladesh a couple of times to meet the women we were sponsoring with their businesses.”

  “What was New York like, Mum?”

  “I didn’t see much of it as I was too busy working, raising money to remove poverty. I still keep in touch with some of them, though not so much now. I found New York rather frantic but would like to return as a tourist.”

  “I went to New York,” said Dad. “I didn’t have much money but I went to the top of the Empire State building and took lots of photos. Unfortunately, someone at my Canadian summer camp borrowed my camera and lost that roll of film.

  “I was on a sight-seeing trip so I also saw the Statue of Liberty from the shore. In Chinatown there was a robbery with people running and shouting in Chinese.

  “My scariest experience was in Chicago. I had a Greyhound bus pass and as we were embarking, there was a loud explosion. It was a café near the terminal and we could have been injured in the explosion. I am a lucky traveller.”

  “How about we walk the dog before we have dinner,” said Mum. “I have a wind-up torch that I got at the local Expo last month. It’s a beauty.”

  Mum made a salad while Dad cooked some schnitzels which were Quorn meat and not ‘real’ meat. We sat at the dining table where Mum had her laptop set up. Afterwards, Dad checked his emails on Mum’s laptop, complaining all the time that the ‘c’ and the ‘b’ were missing and the space bar didn’t respond to a gentle thumb tap. He kept thumping it, to no avail. Mum’s going to get a new laptop soon from China.

  Dad got out his laptop and let me type up my adventures so far which I’ve done in diary form so I know which day I’m up to. He also helps me to remember some of his stories. Later, I’ll delete the dates and have a story that runs smoothly to the end. In fact, I’m about to reach my first milestone of 10,000 words. Whew.

  I spell check every time I make an entry but sometimes it invites me to make a mistake. Then I have to ask Dad for help.

  I woke up early today. I kept dreaming of being a pirate and climbing the ropes to unfurl the sails. Once I slipped when it was raining and got a rope burn. Boy, did it hurt. My heart beat like a hammer so much that when I woke up I was breathless.

  I told Mum I was ready to go to school. She and Dad agreed but I had to ring them if I was tired before the end of the day.

  “Here’s your peanut butter lunch and an apple for morning tea. Plus a frozen bottle of cordial. Drink water as well and don’t run around too much as it’s too hot.”

  “Yes, Mum.” As if I wouldn’t run away if someone was chasing me.

  So we walked to the school and into the office where I was given a uniform top to try on. It fitted okay. Plus a hat.

  “You need to bring some suntan lotion as the sun is pretty fierce up here,” said the office lady. “Here’s some to go on with.”

  Mum thanked her and no doubt added it to her list. We met the principal next and she escorted us to an interview room for some tests to see which year I should be in. I farewelled Mum and sat down to do my first lot of work in two weeks.

  “There’s a test in English and one in Mathematics. Do you like Maths, Paul?”

  “Not really, Ma’am, but I’ll give it my best shot. I like football but the kids were always bigger and better at my old school. Besides, wearing glasses doesn’t help.”

  “We’ll find something you’re good at. You’re only 10 aren’t you?”

  “Yes, Ma’am. Nearly 11.”

  “Okay, I’m going to leave you here for an hour. Do you have a water bottle with you?”

  “Yes, thanks, Ma’am. I’ve got lime cordial.”

  “If you have any other questions or want to use the bathroom, just ask at the office and the ladies will show you where to go.”

  “Thanks, Ma’am.”

  With that, I was left alone in a room with one rectangular table and six chairs. I spread out my work and tackled the English one first. It was pretty easy and the multiple-choice questions were a breeze. I put them to one side when I had finished and glanced at the Maths. A few additions, subtractions, multiplication and division seemed easy, even the problem solving.

  The decimals were a bit tricky as were the fractions. I really have trouble getting my head around fractions. Sometimes I’ll draw a circle and colour in the given sum but I’m not always successful. Geometry and algebra are a complete mystery.

  There was a short science question about planets and which animals can adapt.

  Nearly an hour had passed and I left the room to ask about the bathroom. I also told the office ladies I had finished my work. As it was now nearly lunchtime, I was allowed to eat my lunch in private before going outside.

  I wandered around and saw the older kids kicking footballs. We all had hats on. I found the library and timidly walked in as I could see other kids in there. The librarian was on duty and showed me around and said I would be given a library bag when next I came to the library, depending on which class I was in. It was nice and cool and I found some Paul Jennings’ books to read.

  Before too long the bell sounded and I found my way back to the office. Eventually the principal came to get me and told me I had done well and not to worry about geometry and algebra as we had the rest of the year to get me up to scratch. Besides, there was a remedial teacher who could help me as well.

  “Your English is good and keep writing your diary. You may be called upon to share some of it in class.”

  Off we went to my new class. The teacher showed me to a seat and they played a game whereby I could learn their names and vice versa.

  Before I knew it, it was time to go home. I hadn’t fallen asleep, Some of the boys were going my way and would help me to not get lost, or so I hoped.

  “Thanks, guys. I need to collect the mail first.”

  As we walked down Sanderling, I expected to turn left into Whimbrel at the next roundabout. I didn’t say anything as we headed off to the park. They weren’t trying to be smart but to have some time kicking a football.

  “Have you guys heard about DONKEY?” I asked. “Every time the ball hits the road, you have to take a letter. The first one who spells it out is the loser.”

  “Okay, there are four of us so we’ll have to take it in turns, two on each side.”

  That was Marcus who seems to be pretty bright. We played for a while until I said I had to go.
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  “I’ve got a dog to walk and mail to deliver. Will I see you tomorrow?”

  “Sure,” said Marcus. “Just turn left and there’s your house. Welcome to Broome.”

  I raced home and burst in on Dad who was working on his laptop.

  “The boys at school hadn’t given me the wrong directions home,” I said. “I hope they’ll tell me more about the park tomorrow.”

  10 Getting Foxtel, TV and the Internet.

  “I was given tests today, Dad, but I was not so good with geometry and algebra. I eventually got to be with my class and they played a game so I could remember their names. And I met the librarian who let me stay in the cool of the library over lunchtime. The classrooms are air-conditioned and I wasn’t at all hot and bothered while I did my work. After a sing-a-long, it was time to go home. I kicked a footy with some other boys on the way home and I taught them our game of DONKEY. They liked that though I didn’t win.”

  “That’s great, Paul,” said Dad. “Have your afternoon tea then we’ll walk Lassie. I’m sure you’ll be too tuckered out to want dinner later on when Mum gets home.”

  “I’ll skip playing on your laptop, Dad. The teacher said I didn’t have to do any homework this week as I need to get used to the heat and humidity. No argument from me on that, Dad.”

  “Are you still interested in tennis lessons, Paul?”

  “Yes, please, Dad. Is it still alright to join?”

  “Yes, Paul. I might even join myself and ask Mum to come along.”

  “Even better because then you could play as a doubles team!” I said.

  So we walked Lassie, who was pleased to see me, and I told Dad some more about my first day at Roebuck Primary School and my teacher, Mr Walker. Dad shared what he’d been up to such as finding the printer, buying some Express Post envelopes and wrapping up the order at the post office. He’d even found a parking spot near the post office and noticed that pedestrians had to give way to traffic. Though he kept a lookout for tourists who might amble across the road.

  “That would be tragic, knocking down a tourist,” he said, “though they should hear us coming with our noisy exhaust!

  “I guess traffic would be held up every time a pedestrian wanted to cross the road. There’s a coffee shop called Echo’s and I had an iced coffee there,” said Dad.” Nearby was the newsagent so I bought another roll of brown paper to wrap my textbooks in. There’s a big Coles and I stocked up on two minute noodles, sauces and dog food.

  “Look at Lassie, her ears pricked up when I said “dog” food. Nearly as good as saying ‘walkies’. Yes, girl, we’re doing it now.”

  “I have a list of items for school so could we go shopping tomorrow after school, please, Dad?”

  “Okay, Paul. I can pick you up at school about 2.30 (after I collect the mail) and we can go to Coles and the newsagent to buy your school needs like pens and paper.”

  Once we were home, I said, “It’s been a tiring day and I feel like sleep. Please wake me when dinner is ready, Dad.”

  “No worries, Paul. See you later.”

  I turned on the fan after stripping down and no sooner had my head hit the pillow, I was asleep. I was too tired to turn on my Kindle. I tossed and turned, reliving the day’s adventures and hoping I didn’t have to do too much catch-up work. I hoped to play with the boys as I kicked a football after school. In my sleepy moments I was king of the kicks and managed to not let the ball touch the road once. And I could play tennis like Bernard Tomic and win. See me holding the trophy above my head. I’m grown-up now and am big and strong.

  I woke to a knock on the door. It was Mum.

  “Are you up to eating, Paul?” she asked. Dad had picked her up from work an hour ago.

  “I think so.”

  “Then wash and put some shorts on and join us for dinner.”

  There was plenty of salad, buttered bread, and chicken. (Mum loves chicken).

  “You might like some ice cream for dessert,” said Mum, “and an apple.

  “I have some phone calls to make so you and your father can read after the dishes. Remember, the Foxtel people are coming tomorrow so you’ll have plenty of discussions about what to watch.”

  “I can watch tennis during the day while you’re at work,” said Dad.

  “I can watch the kids’ shows on the ABC.”

  “Then you can do your homework if they give you any,” said Dad.

  “Not,” I said.