Launched!

by J A Mawter

  ‘How ’bout we meet at The Van tomorrow at twelve?’ asked Clem. ‘We’ll bring your bike.’

  ‘I’ll be there. And I’ll swap it for Tong’s.’

  When Clem told Darcy about their plans he shook his head and announced, ‘I’m not coming.’

  Clem wheeled around to face him. ‘Why not?’

  ‘Because he let us down.’ Darcy’s fists coiled like eagle claws.

  ‘No, he didn’t.’ Clem’s lips pursed.

  ‘Did.’

  ‘Didn’t!’ Clem grabbed Darcy with such force that she scratched him. ‘He got Tong’s bike back, didn’t he?’

  Darcy made no reply, watching the red welt forming on his wrist.

  ‘Bryce wouldn’t let us down,’ said Clem. ‘He’s a good person. You’ll see.’

  Darcy gulped a mouthful of air then said, ‘Dad’s a good person but he sometimes lets me down.’ Darcy pierced her with his stare, defying her to disagree.

  Clem sighed. This theme was familiar. ‘Dad doesn’t mean it…’ she began.

  ‘Then why make promises he can’t keep?!’

  Clem thought of the number of times her father had promised to come and watch their hockey game and the equal number of times he hadn’t shown. To her it wasn’t important, but to Darcy? The sight of all the other dads twisted in his gut. Clem eased her grip on Darcy’s arm. ‘You’re right. He shouldn’t make empty promises,’ she said, ‘but you can’t take your anger at Dad out on Bryce.’ Without waiting for a reply she left the room.

  That Sunday Clem and a reluctant Darcy met Mio and Tong at The Van and waited for Bryce. ‘I’ve got a sister,’ announced Bryce, pulling up on Tong’s bike, his smile so wide he could barely squeeze the words out. ‘I cut the cord and everything.’

  ‘How gross!’

  ‘Yuck!’

  ‘Ew!’

  Finally Mio remembered to ask, ‘What’s her name?’

  ‘Dunno.’

  ‘Dunno is nice name,’ said Tong, trying to be polite but itching to get to his bike.

  Bryce threw back his head and laughed. ‘Dunno’s not her name, silly. I haven’t chosen yet.’

  ‘You?’ asked Mio.

  Bryce looked around with a shy smile. ‘Cara and Dad said that because I got Cara to the hospital I get to name the baby.’

  ‘Lucky you,’ said Mio.

  ‘Aren’t I, just?’

  Unable to contain himself, Tong sidled up to his bike and eased the handlebars from Bryce’s hands. Bryce didn’t even notice.

  ‘In Japan we choose names to symbolise: longevity, intelligence, peace, that sort of thing.’

  ‘Sometime Vietnamese baby not get name for three months,’ said Tong.

  ‘That’s way too long,’ said Bryce. ‘I have to think of a name real quick. Not any old name. It’s got to be just right.’ Running his fingers through his hair he added, ‘I was thinking of Olivia…Olivia Tarrant.’

  ‘I like it,’ said Clem. ‘Probably she’ll get Liv or Livvie.’

  ‘And it’s so appropriate,’ said Mio. ‘The olive branch of peace.’

  Bryce’s face lit up. ‘Hey, yeahhhh!’

  Darcy, listening from his milk crate inside, said, ‘I can’t believe you actually made Cara get on the bike and rode her to the hospital.’ He stepped outside, shaking his head.

  Bryce chuckled. ‘What was I supposed to do?’

  ‘Call an ambulance.’

  ‘Get a neighbour.’

  Bryce shook his head, saying, ‘There wasn’t time.’

  ‘Lucky the hospital’s close,’ said Clem, cuddling Bella in her arms. ‘Come to think of it, that’s one very lucky baby.’

  ‘Yes, she is.’

  ‘Lucky to have you, I mean,’ said Clem with a smile. ‘We’re all lucky to have you.’

  ‘Yes,’ agreed Tong, his hands fluttering over the metal bike frame, checking for damage.

  ‘We are,’ agreed Mio. ‘Very lucky. Aren’t we, Darcy?’

  When Darcy didn’t respond Clem’s heart missed a beat. She waited, watching her brother, willing him to make peace.

  Aware of Darcy’s continuing distance Tong announced, ‘We have in my country. m-Duong.’ He searched for the words to express himself better. ‘Mean day need night. Fire need water.’

  ‘I think I know what you mean,’ said Mio. ‘We call it yin-yang. It’s where one can’t exist without the other. Sort of like opposites that complement each other. Moon and sun. Masculine and feminine.’

  ‘Earth and heaven,’ said Clem.

  ‘m-Duong,’ repeated Tong, pointing at the two boys.

  Still Darcy resisted, so Tong tried again, ‘m-Duong, Darcy-Bryce.’

  The air crackled.

  As Darcy hesitated, Clem’s words rang in his ears. You can’t take your anger at Dad out on Bryce. Darcy looked at Bryce, noting the way his clothes seemed to itch his skin, and how the muscle in his cheek twitched. Clem was right. With one stride he stood before Bryce, his hand outstretched as he said, ‘We are lucky to have you, Bryce.’ And if Bryce was slow to grasp his full meaning, Darcy’s beaming smile sealed it. Ignoring the hand, Bryce gave Darcy a playful slap instead.

  Darcy slapped him back.

  Even Tong knew that this rough play meant they were friends.

  Pulling away Bryce asked, ‘How’d the rest of the bike trials go?’

  ‘It was a tie.’

  ‘We nearly died,’ said Mio.

  ‘Cried more like it,’ admitted Clem.

  ‘But then they did a points check.’

  ‘And because of Darcy’s clean run…’

  ‘The only one in the trials…’

  ‘We won!’

  Bryce almost choked. ‘You’re kidding! How are you going to spend the money?’

  ‘New gear for my bike,’ said Darcy.

  ‘Bank it,’ said Clem and Mio in unison.

  And Tong? He had intended to save for a new bike, but now he had his old one back he was stumped. He’d never known so much money.

  ‘What about you, Bryce?’ asked Mio.

  Bryce shuffled back a step, saying, ‘I didn’t win any money.’

  ‘Freewheelers share,’ said Clem, her voice ringing clear as she held out her hand.

  ‘Freewheelers,’ said Mio, placing her hand on Clem’s.

  ‘Freewheelers.’

  ‘Freewheelers.’

  Darcy put his hand on the top. ‘Freewheelers!’

  The resounding cheer rocked The Van. Bella joined in with an ear-splitting yowl, stopping only when Clem bribed her with a dog biscuit.

  When everyone had settled inside on their milk crates and Tong had lovingly secured his bike with the others, Darcy asked Bryce, ‘Out of interest, why’d you enter the bike race?’

  Bryce hesitated, wanting to help Charlie and her kids but not wanting to betray them. ‘For the money,’ he whispered.

  Clem leant over, her voice gentle as she asked, ‘And what would’ve you done with all that money?’

  Bryce’s cheeks stained pink.

  ‘Shared it with us?’ teased Darcy.

  Bryce inspected a bruise on his arm, a legacy from tower-wrestling. He thought of Charlie and how desperately she needed the money, but how keen she was to stay in hiding, and wondered how much he should tell.

  ‘Shared it or spent it?’

  Clem noted how quickly Darcy flared and inwardly she sighed. She wondered if he would ever stop being angry.

  ‘Not spent it,’ snapped Bryce. ‘I was going to give it away.’

  ‘Since when were you a charity?’

  Bryce reared back. ‘Since being on the streets. There’s this girl…’

  ‘Oh! A lur-r-rve charity.’

  ‘It’s not what you think,’ began Bryce, and then he realised there was no other way. He’d have to tell them about Charlie and the kids…

  ‘And we thought you were a total heel, when in actual fact, you’re a hero to those street kids.’ Clem planted a kiss on Bryce’s ear. ‘I’ve n
o doubt about who should get my money.’

  ‘Neither have I,’ said Mio.

  ‘Me know, too.’

  ‘And me,’ said Darcy, thinking of Jonas, Bruno, Tim and Drew and how much it would crush him if they had to live on the streets. ‘Those kids need all the help they can get.’

  Hands stacked high. Voices rang out.

  Freewheelers!

  The kids decided to deliver the money straight away. Five riders on five bikes took off, one orange, one with a beagle in her basket.

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  At the train station they secured their bikes with a chain to the bike rack, then Clem clipped Bella’s leash to her collar and they were ready.

  ‘Let’s find this Charlie,’ said Darcy.

  ‘First I want to show you something special.’ Bryce advanced toward the fence. ‘Follow me.’

  Five minutes later the kids were safe on the other side. Bella wasn’t too impressed at being pushed under the railing, but once she was placed on firm ground she scampered around with a funny little step-hop, step-hop that looked like skipping. With her nose to the ground she bolted.

  ‘Wait for me,’ cried Clem as she tottered behind.

  Once in the courtyard they all stopped. No-one talked. It was like when you enter a sacred or holy place. Finally, Bryce broke the silence. His voice swooped, then rose to the heavens:

  Wanting to fly

  Willing to try

  I don’t know why

  I crash to the ground

  Soaring up high

  Touching the sky

  Never say die

  Look what I found.

  ‘That’s beautiful, Bryce,’ said Mio. ‘I could play that on my violin.’

  ‘There’s more.’

  ‘What?’

  Bryce gave a wry chuckle. ‘I’ll sing it for you when I know what it is.’

  Suddenly Bella started to growl. It was gruff, urgent. Everybody stayed still. A little head appeared around the corner. Then another. The growls stopped. Bella’s whiskers twitched in their direction as if she was trying to read scent braille.

  ‘Hi guys,’ cried Bryce. ‘We’ve come to see Charlie.’

  At the mention of Charlie’s name more kids revealed themselves, among them Markus and his brother. Markus stepped forward. Clem watched like a proud mama as Bella sat patiently while his little fingers poked and prodded.

  ‘Good girl,’ said Clem, fondling Bella’s ears.

  All of a sudden, Bella sprang to her feet and started to yap, running in tight circles. Then she took off around the corner and down the dingy walkway, with everyone in close pursuit. On she ran, through the workroom and out into an entranceway, down the stairs and along a corridor.

  ‘Bella!’ roared Clem, cross with herself for letting Bella off the lead.

  But Bella wouldn’t stop. She knew exactly where she was going. On and on she ran, till she came to the darkened tunnel.

  RUFFF!

  Breathless kids surrounded the entrance.

  ‘Charlie?’ called Bryce. ‘You in there?’ His voice echoed in the blackness.

  ‘Bella?!’ joined in Clem.

  ‘We’ve got money!’ said Bryce. When Clem answered, ‘Bella doesn’t care about money,’ he fixed her with a look and went on, ‘Lots and lots of money.’

  Out of the inkiness emerged Charlie, and with her was…that girl!

  ‘You?!’ said Bryce, pointing an accusing finger. ‘You stole Tong’s bike.’

  The girl didn’t react, so Bryce went on, ‘You punched me between the eyes. And kicked me on top of the tower. Why?’

  ‘I was going to hock the bike, but Charlie, here, told me about the bike trials and I decided not to. I wanted to win that money.’ The girl raised her chin in defiance. ‘You wouldn’t’ve got hurt if you’d’ve kept out of my way.’

  Bryce took a step closer, saying, ‘Quite a fighter, aren’t you?’

  The girl held her ground. ‘Gotta be.’

  Just then Bella came bounding out of the tunnel, head high, ears flouncing. And in her mouth she carried a doll’s head.

  ‘Bella!’ scolded Clem, reaching down to extract the drool-covered head.

  ‘What’s with the doll’s head thing?’ asked Bryce.

  Charlie looked at the girl. ‘You might as well show them.’

  The girl spun around on her heel and headed back into the tunnel. A few minutes later she came back out, cradling a baby on her hip. Bryce and the others were gobsmacked.

  ‘So you’re the one who slept at The Peak?’

  The girl nodded then asked, ‘D’you remember, Bryce? From last year? The girl you fought over a French loaf.’

  Bryce closed his eyes.

  ‘In the alley. Behind the bread shop.’

  His eyes snapped open. ‘I remember that girl.’ His voice was hushed and he squirmed as he said, ‘She was having a baby.’

  ‘Uh, huh.’ The girl held the baby out in her arms.

  ‘Oh my God!’

  Unable to resist, Clem planted herself in front of the baby, crooning nonsense words of greeting. The baby gurgled and smiled. Markus sidled over to join them, followed by his brother.

  Bryce turned and said, ‘Charlie. We’ve brought you some money, but…’ More kids came forward, eyes overly bright in their pale faces. ‘It’s not enough. You guys need more.’ He looked around the dark and dank quarters. ‘This’s no way to live. You have to get out of here.’ He looked at the girl. ‘You have to find a home. This is no place to bring up a baby.’

  ‘It’s alright for you,’ snapped Charlie. ‘You in your fancy house with your fancy family. But where do kids like us belong?’

  ‘Yeah, where?’

  The question hung in the air until finally Bryce spoke. ‘We’ll ask someone—the school counsellor maybe, or our friend Mr Lark.’

  ‘Or our mums and dads,’ said Clem.

  ‘There’ll be somewhere,’ said Mio. ‘All we have to do is find it.’

  Bryce held out the money. ‘Tonight, get yourselves a decent feed. Tomorrow we’ll find you a warm bed and someplace to stay.’ Bryce could see the struggle playing out in Charlie’s face. He knew that struggle. That distrust of this elusive place called ‘home’, the fear of losing ‘family’.

  The kids waited without protest, knowing that Charlie’s decision would be final. Charlie looked from one to the other. Suddenly Markus coughed, his stick body jerking like a marionette.

  Charlie took the money from Bryce’s outstretched hand. In a voice warm with gratitude she said, ‘Thanks, Bryce. Thanks, guys.’ As she put a reassuring arm around Markus’s shoulders she added, ‘This means everything.’

  ‘The world,’ whispered the girl, nuzzling her baby’s downy head.

  As the Freewheelers left the station they were all solemn and proud, but then they came to a slight hill and Bryce yelled, ‘Let’s be pelicans!’

  ‘What pelican?’ asked Tong.

  ‘The pelican,’ said Darcy, coasting down the hill and swinging his legs like a real pelican trying to take off, ‘is something only a true dork can appreciate.’ The others did the same, swinging their legs as far forward and as far back as possible. ‘Together!’ yelled Mio. They swung in unison, front, back, front, back. For the finale they flapped, their ‘wings’ like Bella’s ears. And Bryce started to sing:

  Wanting to fly

  Willing to try

  I don’t know why

  I crash to the ground

  Soaring up high

  Touching the sky

  Never say die

  Look what I found.

  Seamlessly he continued:

  My turn has come

  Fun in the sun

  Come everyone

  Friends all around.

  Acknowledgments

  No writer can go on this journey alone. With thanks to David, Hugh, Shevaughn, Tullia and, of course, Bella.

  About the Author

  Jeni (J.A.) Mawter has an MA in Children’s
Literature from Macquarie University and a Diploma of Book Editing and Publishing from Macleay College. She is a full-time writer as well as a teacher of creative writing, and lives in Lane Cove, Sydney with her husband and three children.

  Jeni can’t do a track stand but she has practised graffiti in her kitchen. Tips for removing paint stains from fingers and clothing greatly appreciated.

  Visit www.AuthorTracker.com for exclusive information on your favorite HarperCollins author.

  Books by J.A. Mawter

  The ‘So’ Series

  So Stinky!

  So Grotty!

  So Festy!

  So Sick!

  So Feral!

  So Gross!

  The Freewheelers Series

  Unleashed!

  Launched!

  Copyright

  Lyrics from ‘The Happy Wanderer’ by Friedrich-Wilhelm Möller adapted by kind permission of Bosworth Music GmbH.

  Angus&Robertson

  An imprint of HarperCollinsPublishers Australia

  First published in 2007

  This edition published in 2010

  by HarperCollinsPublishers Australia Pty Limited

  ABN 36 009 913 517

  www.harpercollins.com.au

  Copyright © J.A. Mawter 2007

  The right of J.A. Mawter to be identified as the author of this work has been asserted by her under the Copyright Amendment (Moral Rights) Act 2000.

  This work is copyright. Apart from any use as permitted under the Copyright Act 1968, no part may be reproduced, copied, scanned, stored in a retrieval system, recorded, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, without the prior written permission of the publisher.

  HarperCollinsPublishers

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