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Chapter 7

Kirsty rushed down the museum steps towards Ben. How dare Mr Thomas! He was stupid, grumpy and rude. She glared at Ben, then pulled tongues at the museum.

‘Pester power didn’t work, then?’ Ben asked as Kirsty stomped up to him.

She shook her head.

‘Oh.’

They started walking away from the museum. Kirsty swung her arms like a soldier. As she walked, her anger began to turn into something else. Determination.

‘What was the first thing on your list, Ben? The way grown-ups get people to change their minds?’

‘Demonstrations. You make banners and stand in the street.’

‘Then that’s what we’ll do next.’

Ben stopped walking. He stood winding the hem of his jumper around his finger. He looked uncomfortable.

‘What?’ Kirsty asked.

He stared down at his twisted hem. ‘Well. I dunno if it’s a good idea. I dunno if I want to stand in the street. My mum might see, or Dad. They might be angry. We might get into trouble.’

‘Dad won’t see you. He didn’t come out of his bedroom all weekend.’ Kirsty felt a sudden shock as she said this. It was true; Dad hadn’t come out of his room for ages. She frowned. That didn’t seem right. Usually at weekends he’d be in the middle of all the noise and action. In fact, he would be making most of the noise, playing music, laughing, teasing everyone. But this weekend he’d been quiet, spending it alone in his room. It was weird. And Mum had cancelled his work this week. And that was weird because Dad never let people down; if he said he’d fit your kitchen by Friday, then it was done by Friday. Kirsty put her hand on Ben’s arm and gave it a small squeeze. ‘I’m sure it will be all right,’ she said, though she didn’t feel sure at all.

Ben let go of his jumper. ‘Where would you want to have the demonstration?’ he asked.

‘The allotments? The council building? Which do you think?’

‘I think the council building would be best. Where Mr Thomas will see us.’

‘Yes! He just said to me that I wasn’t to bother him outside work. So I should bother him in work! I’m going to go home to paint a banner. Do you want to come?’

‘No, I should go to my house. It’s getting late. I’ll make a banner there. I’ll meet you outside the council building after school tomorrow.’