Quack Quack rushed off the bus.
âCalm and composed! Thatâs us, all right!â Jake shouted as Thomas turned onto Côte-Vertu Boulevard.
Everyone was talking and laughing all at the same time.
When we stopped at the first intersection, I almost didnât notice the bus that had pulled up across from ours. But somethingâdonât ask me whatâmade me turn to look at it.I recognized the driverâs thin gray hair and the way he gripped the steering wheel. It was our old driver, Gilbert Dubuc.
At first, I was too startled to say anything. But Valerie noticed him too. âHey, you guys!â she shouted, âlook whoâs driving that bus!â
In the old days, someone would have pushed open a window and yelled something rudeâor maybe thrown something at him.
But this wasnât the old days. I was the first to wave. Next thing I knew the other kids were waving too.
I thought I saw Gilbert Dubuc shudder. Was he remembering all the trouble weâd caused him?
But then he did something that took me by surprise. Something that made me wonder if heâd heard about how the kids on the 121 Express had helped save Georgie.
He waved back.
The Hot Dog Haven
4200 côte-Vertu Blvd.
Ville St. Laurent, Quebec
November 6, 2007
Lorne Crest Academy
4243 Decelles ave.
Ville St. Laurent, Quebec
Att.: John Mallard, Principal
Dear Mr. Mallard:
I am writing this letter to you out of desperation. My husband and I recently opened The Hot Dog Haven, a small restaurant behind Lorne crest academy. at first, we thought being located so close to a school would help our business. But now, weâre not so sure. Yes, your students have been buying lunch at our restaurant. But that, dear Mr. Mallard, is not all theyâve been doing!
They have also been teasing our waiters and waitresses, throwing food, emptyingthe salt and pepper shakers into their water glasses. we have even overheard them discussing strange science experiments, and frankly, weâre worried they might blow the place up!
At The Hot Dog Haven, we pride ourselves on serving the best hot dogs in all Montreal. we believe eating at our restaurant is a privilege. Please make it clear to your students that if their behavior does not improve, we shall be forced to shut our doors to them.
Sincerely yours,
Marie Therrien,
co-proprietor,
The Hot Dog Haven
Monique Polak claims that she never got in trouble as a child, but any reader of
121 Express
will know that she secretly wanted to. Monique divides her time writing and teaching. She lives in Montreal, Quebec, with her husband and daughter.
Sinéad Moriarty
Cheryel Hutton
T. S. Joyce
Jordan Silver
Jane Robinson
Mia Moore
Allison Lane
Will Collins
Mark Tompkins
Maya Banks