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When I get out of bed the next morning, there’s no sign of Charlie. I head into the kitchen to get some breakfast to find Dad sitting in his usual spot at the table, drinking his coffee and reading the paper. Mum walks in and puts her coffee mug on the table, and heads into the hallway.
“Where’s Charlie?” I ask.
“Out the back with Blue,” Dad says. “Early riser, that one.”
“That’s because she grew up on a farm,” I reply as I pour cereal into a bowl and drench it with milk.
“I knew we’d spoiled you and Adam by bringing you up in a city,” Dad says. “We should’ve bought a bigger block so we could buy some cows and make you milk them before school.” He pulls the corner of the paper down and grins at me.
Mum laughs from the hallway.
I roll my eyes and shovel cereal into my mouth, crunching on it as we eyeball each other. He breaks eye contact with a chuckle.
“You’re getting very popular,” Dad says, showing me an article in the sports section. “Two stories in a month.”
It’s not the back page like last time, but there’s a picture of me holding my cricket bat over my shoulder with the headline Champs to Show Off State’s Best. I think they’ve used the same photo from when I was in the paper with Adam, and just cut it in half. I wish Adam was here so I could tease him about it and make a lame joke about cutting him out of the family.
“What does it say?” I ask.
“Oh, you’d think you were the next best thing to sliced bread,” Dad says, waggling his eyebrows. “My favourite bit is where they’re recapping the grand final.” He flicks the paper out dramatically and puts on what I guess he thinks is a news reader’s voice. “After scoring the bulk of the Wolves’ runs in the first innings in the local grand final, Alice Henderson secured the match by dismissing her older brother, Adam, for just four runs. No need to ask who gets bragging rights in the Henderson household. Henderson’s strong performances in the local competition have impressed representative selectors, earning her a spot in the Queensland Cricket Development Squad, who play in the State Championships being held at Oliver Oval this week.”
I grin. Winning the grand final for the Wolves against the Devils, and Adam, and all the people trying to stop me from playing, was pretty sweet. “Can I send it down to Adam?”
“There’s no need to rub it in.” Dad peers around the side of the paper but he’s smiling at me. “And anyway, I think he’s coming home for Easter.”
“Is he?” First time I’ve heard that. He came home every weekend over the cricket season so he could play for the Devils, but he hasn’t been home since the final, which was two months ago. I tip my bowl up to drink the milk in the bottom.
“Yes, he is,” Mum says. She’s pulling her hair into a ponytail. “And your father’s right. There’s no need to be nasty to your brother.” She takes a drink of her coffee. “Alice isn’t the only one playing this week.”
She says that to Dad, like he’s the one responsible for the article in the paper.
Dad folds the paper and drops it onto the table. “I know, but Alice is the only local, so all eyes will be on her.”
“They shouldn’t be putting pressure on Alice like that,” Mum says, draining her coffee and heading into the kitchen.
I pick up my bowl and follow her. She hugs me and then holds me at arm’s length. “Just have fun this week, Alice. I know you hate me saying it but—“
“It’s just a game, I know,” I say and resist the urge to roll my eyes. “Rep games are important, Mum. I might make the State side. Or get noticed by a Super League coach.”
“I know, but I just don’t want you to feel pressured to do well,” Mum says. “You’ve got a big last year of school coming up so you’ve got a lot of other things to be concentrating on.”
I know Mum means well, but I don’t think she gets how much I want to play cricket for my career. The State Championships are just the beginning. And then there are two new Super League teams being announced this week, which will mean more players getting contracted. I don’t think I’m good enough to make the pro league yet, but I’m excited to think about it.
“What are you and Charlie up to today?” Mum asks as she pulls her lunch from the fridge.
“We’re going to the indoor sports centre this morning,” I reply. “Ravi and Troy want to meet Charlie in person, and I think they want to give me one last training session before tomorrow.”
“I’m off tonight, so I thought we’d have a games night since Charlie’s here.” Mum kisses me on the forehead. “Don’t be late home. Love you!”
“Love you too,” I say, but she’s already out the back door.
“Games night, huh?” Dad says. He rinses his cup out in the sink.
I groan. “Can you please hide the Monopoly? Charlie does not need to see how competitive Mum gets when she’s losing at that.”
“Good idea,” Dad agrees. “I’ll tell her Adam took it with him.”
“Thanks, Dad. I’ll see you later.” I kiss him on the cheek and head outside to find Charlie cooing at Blue, who’s rolled onto his back, happily revelling in belly rubs.
“He doesn’t do that for me,” I say, nudging Blue’s bum playfully with my foot. He at least gives me one wag of his tail.
Charlie gives Blue one last scratch behind his ears and stands up. “Dogs are smart. They know what we need before we do.”
“What does that mean?” I ask.
Charlie shrugs. “I didn’t realise I missed home a bit until I came out here and saw Blue sunning himself in the yard. He reminds me of our old kelpie, Sally, and then thinking about her reminded me about Dad and the boys at home. Blue just knew I needed to rub his belly to feel better, I guess.”
I pull a face. “You’re bananas, has anyone ever told you that?”
Charlie grins. “All the time, but I’ve never listened to them.”
I shove her shoulder with my free hand and she shoves me back. Even though we haven’t seen each other for a couple of months, I’m glad Charlie and I have slipped back into the friendship we had back at camp. I hope this week doesn’t go too fast.