Black Gold: Part 3

By JULIA OWEN, Illustrator KAI BRETHOUWER

"Oh no you don't!" Ollie gave a roar and leapt on him, rolling with Rimu and the covers on to the floor. Rimu twisted, until he was on top of Ollie, trying to smother him and tickle him at the same time.

"Aaargh!" he yelped as Ollie heaved him off.

The bedroom door burst open and Rimu's father stormed into the room, snapping on the light.

"What on earth is going on in here?" He paused as Ollie untangled himself from the covers. "Oh, it's you, Ollie. Do you know what time it is?"

Ollie looked at his watch. "Sure do, Dave. Right now it's exactly five forty-two. Time to get up and on with the day."

Dave groaned. "The sooner I get rid of you two the better. Okay. I'll get dressed. The least you can do is put the kettle on." He scowled at Ollie as he shut the door behind him.

Rimu got dressed. A surge of excitement went through him. They had been planning this week for the last two months and now it was finally here. A whole week camping out at the coast on their own. he couldn't blame Ollie for wanting to get on with it. Why waste time?

Publisher: Scholastic, $13.95
Age group: 9-12 years