Chapter 10

School Photo with Pet!

Friday morning the school photographer was busy. He took photographs of every grade. He shot the netball team and the football team. Then he took several pictures of the cross-country squad. Art would have liked to have been in that photo. The cross country won their final.

‘When he’s ready, say “ Smile. Cheese”, ‘ ordered Mrs. Tasker.

‘I hate cheese. Especially cardboard cheese in school lunch sandwiches,’ complained Mario.

Mrs.Tasker was keen on healthy lunches.

‘Our class will be photographed after recess,’ warned Mrs. Tasker. ‘Please wash your face, comb your hair and pull up your socks. Mario, socks are supposed to be up, not at half -mast.’

Mrs. Tasker made them line up. The tallest children went to the head of the line. Art was somewhere in the middle.

‘Now, go to the General Purpose Room quietly. Fill up the back row first. Shorter children can sit on the floor, legs crossed.’

Art was so busy working out where he was to stand, he didn’t notice the photographer’s face until he turned around.

It was the Photo Fantasy man.

The photographer looked through his viewfinder. Art could tell when the photographer found him.

‘Hi. We meet again. Saw you last night, didn’t I?’

‘Er, yes.’

‘Great shot of the fruit. I like something imaginative.’

‘Good morning. I’m Mrs.Tasker. You’re not our usual photographer. Is something wrong?’

‘Good morning. I’m Sam the Fantasy Man photographer. I’m just filling in for this morning. Bill had to go to court.’

‘I see. Do you want the children in their normal lines? I’d already organised them by heights.’

‘No, I don’t think so. I like to take unusual shots.’

Sam posed children on seats in the yard, up a big tree and beside the giant dumper bin.

He perched Mario on the edge of it.

‘D’you have any class pets? ‘Sam asked. ‘I like to take photos of children with pets. It’s so relaxing.’

‘We’ve got some snails left over from the race,’ suggested Mario.

‘Fine. Birds would be better. Any class budgies?’

They borrowed the Grade 3 budgie.

It dropped on Inda. ‘Yuk!’

‘Excuse me Sam,’ said Art , the part-time sleuth. ‘Do you use birds in your other photographs?’

‘Sometimes.’ Sam adjusted his camera.

‘Do you use doves?’

‘Why do you ask?’

Just at that moment, Mrs.Tasker interrupted.’ Excuse me ... Mr ... er Sam. You must stop now. We’ve spent an hour already. These children have maths to finish before lunch. And you have another four classes to photograph.’

Art didn’t get a chance to ask any more questions. Mrs. Tasker hurried them inside to do their maths.

The lunch bell rang ,just after they opened their books.

Art hurried outside to find Sam.

His van was just leaving the teachers’ car park.

It was too late.