Read Online Still Waving by Laurene Kelly - Free Book Online

bomb.’
    I was amazed that everyone knew this, because I sure didn’t.
    â€˜Can you drive?’ Phoebe asked me.
    â€˜W … well sort of,’ I answered.
    â€˜You either do or you don’t,’ Jasmine said.
    â€˜Well yes, but I’ve never driven anywhere near a city, and I don’t think you’d want to be my passengers in this traffic.’
    â€˜It’s gotta be done,’ Phoebe said. ‘We have to travel in style without having the smell of humanity making you want to vomit. I’m sick of practically choking to death on disease-ridden public transport.’
    Jasmine did an imitation of Phoebe choking.
    â€˜I can’t afford driving lessons, and anyway, all I want to do is surf.’
    â€˜Look, we’ve told you before, this surfing thing’s all right, but you can’t let it rule your life.’ Phoebe gave me her most serious look.
    â€˜It does.’ I laughed back.
    â€˜Jules, you’ve got to do other things, have other interests.’
    â€˜You sound like my aunt.’
    â€˜Shut up. You know what I’m saying; anyway you’ll have to ask your aunt to take you for driving lessons, till you’re good enough to get your licence.’
    â€˜What about you?’ I asked Phoebe.
    â€˜I’m too busy and besides I want to be the navigator.’
    â€˜I want to be the interior decorator,’ Jasmine said.
    We laughed.
    â€˜No dice,’ Phoebe and I said together. Once again we did our linking finger ritual.
    â€˜How come I never get to make one of those dumb wishes?’
    â€˜Because everything you say is original, darling.’ Phoebe patted Jasmine’s head. ‘No one else on this whole planet, or from any other galaxy, would say the same thing as you.’
    â€˜I’ll take that as a compliment.’
    â€˜I think that would be for the best,’ I said, smiling over Jasmine’s head at Phoebe.
    I pulled the stop cord. Peering out at the water, I noticed there was a slight swell. A few surfers were visible, more in hope than anything, I thought. I’d give it another hour or so to see if it picked up.
    We walked up the street to my place. At the top of the stairs, I listened. I couldn’t hear anything. I opened the front door. It was still quiet. I wondered if Aunt Jean was home. She was sitting at the little table on the balcony.
    â€˜Hello Phoebe and Jasmine. Nice to see you again,’ Aunt Jean said. ‘Would you like a drink or something to eat?’
    â€˜Yes thanks,’ Jasmine answered. Phoebe nudged her.
    â€˜I’ll make a pot of tea.’ I put the kettle on and got out some cups.
    â€˜No it’s all right, we don’t want anything.’
    â€˜I want a cup of tea. It will relax me after the arduous journey on the bus.’ Jasmine was being stubborn.
    Phoebe and I looked at each other. It was obvious Aunt Jean had been crying. I shrugged my shoulders.
    â€˜Are you all right?’ I asked quietly.
    â€˜I’m okay. I’ve just had a bit of a scare. I’ll tell you about it later. Don’t worry.’
    â€˜What’s happened? Dad hasn’t escaped, has he?’ I became alarmed.
    â€˜No, Julie, nothing like that. Calm down. We’ll talk when your friends have gone.’
    â€˜Is Toby all right?’ I felt desperate. If anything had happened to him … I’d … I’d just …
    â€˜He’s fine. Look, make it short with your friends. I’ll be up on the roof.’
    I watched Aunt Jean leave the flat.
    Phoebe and Jasmine looked at me expectantly.
    â€˜Who knows? Aunt Jean seems to be acting a bit dramatically. She wouldn’t tell me anything, just hinting something was up. I hate that. How everything is made into a big mystery.’
    â€˜You want us to go?’
    â€˜No it’s cool. Have a drink.’
    We talked about the movie again. Phoebe picked up our empty cups and took them to the