The High Wind Blows

By DAVID HILL

The launch tower rose like a half-finished skyscraper beside it. Thick black cables for fuel, power and electronics drooped between tower and rocket.

A couple of very small-looking people stood near the rocket's base, staring up. I must have jerked, or squawked, or jerked and squawked because Sophie was grinning at me. Grinning at me instead of watching the road we were ripping along.

"Awesome, eh? The other kids were gobsmacked, too.
That's two of them over there."

We were getting closer - fast. I saw that the figures by the rocket were a dark fat guy and a dark skinny guy.

The van skidded up to a big wire front gate. A man in uniform came out of a booth, waved at Sophie, grinned at me, went back into his booth, and the gate swung open.

"I'll drop you at Reception," Sophie told me. "Then I've got to deliver the day's menu, and pick up yesterday's rubbish. They're a real litter-free zone round here."

Publisher: Puffin

Price: $15.95

Age group: 8-14 years