Read Taking the Chequered Flag for Free Online

down the lane the engine suddenly cut.
    ‘You promised!’
    For a moment, Angus thought the girl who’d spoken was talking to him. He glanced around quickly but could see no one. The voice was strangely familiar. Then he remembered where he’d heard it before—it was the girl who had cut in front of King at The Moon. She’d been the one yelling at the rider leaning against his bike. And she was yelling again now.
    Angus paused and waited out of sight behind a wooden fence.
    ‘Promises can’t always be kept, Teagan.’ This time it was a boy’s voice, mean and loud.
    ‘Please, Jack.’ There was a pause then the girl continued, her voice softer. ‘Dad doesn’t need to know. We just don’t tell him.’
    ‘I ride in both and I win both. I’m saving your reputation .’ An engine roared into life and their words were drowned out. It revved a few times, an ear-splitting noise that made Angus moveback; then suddenly it cut out. The putt-putting of the first engine he’d heard droned on.
    ‘But, Jack. It’s time I rode again. You kept it up while I was getting better but I’m okay now. Please, Jack.’
    Angus edged along the fence to where the wooden palings started to angle down and peered over. He found himself looking into a large yard. A number of bikes stood about under a shelter, some of them with parts missing, one with both wheels lying on the ground.
    A girl of about Angus’ age was riding a motorbike in circles. She revved it angrily when the boy didn’t answer, making the back wheel spin out to leave deep circular skid marks on the grass. She kept it revving until she’d cut the ground to pieces.
    ‘Hey, Teagan!’ the boy yelled over the noise, from a door that must have led back into the shop. ‘Dad wants you inside. Now!’
    The girl stopped the bike and silence enveloped the backyard. The boy and the girl stared at each other.
    ‘And don’t ask me about the races, Teagan. You know it’s the way it’s gotta be. I hate it too, you know.’ The boy laughed suddenly. ‘But atleast I’m racing.’ He disappeared inside the house.
    A door banged open to Angus’ left and he crouched down, not wanting to be seen, but curious all the same. Teagan? She must be Teagan Proctor. Of course, he thought, moving away. She was the kid E.D. had been telling him about—the gun rider who hadn’t lost a race. But the boy had said at least he was racing. Did this mean that Teagan wasn’t? It didn’t make any sense.
    Angus’ thoughts were interrupted by a throaty growl coming from the far end of the lane. He looked up to see two enormous black motorbikes slowly rolling towards him.
    He leaned up against the fence, waiting for them to pass, but instead the bikes slowed down even more, coming to a stop right in front of him.
    His heart pounding, Angus turned to walk away, trying to look as relaxed as possible.
    ‘Hey, kid. Stop right there.’
    Angus paused, and then quickly turned round.
    ‘Me?’
    ‘What are you doing?’ Both riders were off their bikes but neither had taken his helmet off. They were dressed in black leather. Angus could see his reflection in the visor of one of the men’ssilver and black helmets as he took a few steps towards him.
    ‘I…I was doing nothing; nothing at all,’ Angus stammered, taking a few tentative steps backwards, wondering if he should make a dash for it.
    The second rider folded his arms across his chest and spoke.
    ‘Listen, buddy. This ain’t a good place for you to be hanging about, you hear? This laneway’s full of creeps who’ll try to steal your phone or your wallet while you’re not looking. Are you hearing me?’
    Angus licked his dry lips and nodded.
    ‘S-sure,’ he said, taking another step backwards. The door to the shop banged open again. Angus was frozen to the spot, unable to move.
    ‘You know this kid, Alan?’ one of the riders called. Behind his dark helmet, his voice sounded muffled. The shop owner appeared alongside the two