Lina at the Games by Sally Rippin Read Free Book Online Page B

face.
    The bus pulled into Lina’s stop. She began to make her way down the aisle, when John called out to her. ‘Lina!’
    She turned around.
    â€˜You won’t tell anyone?’
    She shook her head.
    â€˜Promise?’ he said.
    â€˜Promise,’ said Lina, and she trotted down the bus steps and onto the street. Then she looked up to see John waving from the window.
    My friend, she thought, proudly.

L INA strolled down Rathdowne Street, thinking about John’s letter and how brave he was to send it. She’d dreamed up hundreds of letters like his over the years, addressed to all kinds of people, but she had never thought of actually sending them. I know they always say the pen is mightier than the sword, she thought, but who ever listens to what kids have to say? Maybe when people grow into adults they don’t care about these things anymore? Or they get too worn-out and tired? Lina thought of her father, turning over the pages of the newspaper, as if ignoring those bad things happening in the world would make them go away. Will I become like that? Lina wondered. I hope not!
    She turned into the narrow alleyway that lead to their back gate. It was the longer way home, but she wasn’t in any hurry to get back to her chores.
    As Lina drew closer to the back gate, she noticed two figures, a man and a woman with pale blond hair, leaning against the crooked fence palings. Her heart skipped a beat. Surely those Carlton Park bodgies wouldn’t be hanging around here? Lina crouched behind a rubbish bin, her heart pounding. When she dared, she peeked around the side of the bin. The man and woman were kissing. The man had his back to her, but Lina could see some of the girl. She had her hair tied up in a messy ponytail and a flowery summer dress on. The boy had thick black hair and was wearing a jacket just like Pierino’s good wool one with the leather patches on the elbows. His jeans were like Pierino’s, too, turned up at the cuffs just like he wore them. Oh my goodness! Lina had to clamp her hand over her mouth to stop herself from squealing. It’s Pierino ! And he’s kissing a girl !
    Lina wondered if she should call out, but decided against it. Pierino has a girlfriend! She giggled. A girlfriend, a girlfriend ! Why hasn’t he ever brought her home? But then the girl’s blonde ponytail came to mind and she knew right away. She’s not Italian . Lina gasped. Pierino knows Nonna would flip if he brought home an Aussie girl. I wonder if anyone else knows about her? She squirmed with excitement. She couldn’t wait to tell Bruno.
    Finally, Pierino and the girl stopped kissing, just as Lina’s legs were beginning to fall asleep. The girl hopped onto a bike and wobbled off down the alleyway. Pierino watched her go, then jerked open the heavy corrugated iron gate and disappeared inside. When enough time had passed, Lina slipped in behind him.
    To her delight, Bruno was in the backyard in his work clothes, forking manure into the garden beds.
    â€˜You’re late,’ he said as Lina sauntered past, dumping her satchel onto the back porch.
    â€˜I had the Olympics today, remember?’
    â€˜Oh, that’s right,’ Bruno grunted. ‘The swimming, wasn’t it? They played it on the radio at school.’
    â€˜Dawn Fraser won!’ Lina said, doing a little dance. ‘She broke a world record!’
    â€˜I’m very happy for her. But you’d better get out of your school uniform and give me a hand, pronto. Nonna’s in a foul mood.’
    â€˜I will, I will,’ Lina said impatiently. She turned around briefly to check that no one was within earshot, then sidled up to Bruno. ‘Did you know Pierino has a girlfriend ?’
    Bruno stopped what he was doing and glared at Lina. ‘What are you talking about? Have you been sticking your nose into other people’s business again?’
    Lina frowned, offended. ‘No! I saw