Truly Tan Baffled

Mr Lamble tears open the envelope. ‘Please be Scarlett,’ says Verity, under her breath. ‘Pleeeease.’ Scarlett is obviously Verity’s favourite. ‘This year’s Winter Queen,’ says Mr Lamble, picking open the envelope, ‘is …Miss Rose Callahan!’ I squeal so loud that Gloria falls sideways. The music starts playing. Miss Dragone has all her special effects on full volume as my sister Rose glides up onto the stage to take her prize certificate. On the screen behind Rose is her prize-winning poem: As I stepped out at Valleyview, one cold and frosty morning … ‘Nice one, Rose!’ yells Ted. ‘Nice one, Scooter!’ Ted does a super-loud two-finger whistle and Miss Zucko glares at him. Everyone in the whole school is happy to see Rose win. Even Verity gives me a tight smile. ‘Look at them,’ says Gloria with a sigh. ‘Such an odd pair. A royal muddle-up. Scooter is so short and Rose is so tall and regal.’ And it’s true. Scooter is in grade four and Rose is in grade five and they look funny standing up there, side by side.

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