Read Online The Courage of Cat Campbell by Natasha Lowe - Free Book Online Page B

move the éclair with my wand, you see, and the spell went a bit out of control.”
    â€œI think that’s why they’re worried,” Anika explained. “My dad started going on about Madeline Reynolds, and how out of control she was and how nobody saw it coming. And Maxine told us all about the stuff your mum did when she was at Ruthersfield, and well, they’re concerned that . . .” Anika trailed off, staring at her backpack.
    â€œBoth of our mums are worried you might flip out and turn us to stone or something,” Karen finished for her.
    â€œYou know I would never do that,” Cat said. Her throat had gone tight, and she pulled a tissue out of her pocket and blew her nose hard, not wanting to cry on the bus.
    â€œI know you wouldn’t,” Anika agreed, looking uncomfortable. “It’s just best we don’t sit together for a few days, that’s all. My mum will come round.”
    Cat nodded and stared out the window, shutting her eyes as they drove past Ruthersfield. She couldn’t bear to look at the academy this morning. The seat creaked and Cat felt someone sit down beside her. She turned to see Peter squeezing his long, cricketlike legs into the narrow space between them. Occasionally, like right now, the sight of Peter Parker was as comforting as a pair of flannel pajamas.
    â€œWhy did you move?” Cat said, shifting over.
    Peter shrugged. “Just felt like it.”
    â€œWell, thanks. That was nice.”
    â€œAnd I thought you might like to try out my walkie-talkies with me.” Peter pulled one of the handsets from his backpack and gave it to Cat. It had a little metal box attached to the middle with a great deal of rubber bands. “That’s the booster box I made,” Peter said. “To get better range.”
    â€œWhy aren’t you doing this with Adam?” Cat said suspiciously. Adam and Peter were in the science club together, and it had been Adam who had helped Peter with his asteroid calculations. “I’m sure Adam would love to play walkie-talkies with you.”
    â€œLook, Mum thought you might have a hard time at school today, so I’m trying to be nice, that’s all.”
    Cat examined the walkie-talkie. “You don’t need to be kind to me, Peter, just because Auntie Charlie says so.”
    â€œYou’re right, I don’t. So do you want to keep the walkie-talkie or not?”
    â€œThank you,” Cat said, managing a small smile. “They look fun. We can try them out after school.”
    Peter demonstrated how the receiver worked, flipping the on-off switch and the button to press when you talked. It was only as they neared Potts Bottom Elementary that he brought up the subject of yesterday.
    â€œSo, that must have been pretty hilarious,” Peter said. “Seeing Maxine get hit in the face with an éclair! Your mum told my mum all about it.”
    â€œI would have done it deliberately if I’d known how,” Cat muttered. “It was pretty funny though!” Keeping her voice low because she didn’t want Anika and Karen to hear, Cat whispered, “So you heard what Maxine said about my mother, then?”
    â€œI did, but only because my mum wanted me to know the true story and not Maxine’s version.”
    â€œAre you surprised?” Cat whispered.
    â€œNot really. It was a long time ago, and Mum said she didn’t blame Auntie Poppy one bit for what happened.” Peter shrugged. “Don’t forget, I’ve grown up with your mother, Cat. She’s one of the nicest people I know, as well as being the best baker.”
    â€œExcept she’s not going to let me apply to Ruthersfield,” Cat said, embarrassed to hear her voice wobbling. “She even took the wand away so I can’t practice anymore.”
    â€œCat, I’m really sorry,” Peter said, and he did sound sorry. “I know how much you wanted