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since last year. Can’t tell you just yet—I’ll explain once we’re there.’ At least that makes it sound exciting. And sure enough, they fall silent as they follow Terry up the stairs, past the hall and over to the demountables.
    ‘Here we are, ladies and gentlemen,’ he announces as they enter the vestibule. ‘Find a hook—don’t fight about it, remember it’s only a hook—hang your bag on it then go and sit on the rug.’
    Once they’re all inside, Terry drags his chair across so he’s sitting in front of them all. ‘As you can see,’ he says, ‘I’ve been given a new room.’
    Kurt puts up a hand. ‘But it’s not your room, it’s Ms Coote’s room.’
    Terry gives his hair a scratch. He can’t have nits already, surely; not on the first day back. ‘Good point, Kurt,’ he replies, ‘and nice observation. It has indeed been Ms Coote’s room for some years now. But this year we’ve swapped.’
    ‘Your old room’s much better than this room, Mr P.’ Ethan is sitting beside Kurt. He doesn’t raise his hand, he just calls out.
    ‘Hand up, please, Mr Thompson, otherwise it’ll all descend into chaos before the day is done.’
    Ethan shoots up a hand and keeps on talking. ‘The other room, it’s heaps better. For one thing, it’s got a balcony.’ He’s a freckly kid, is Ethan, and he talks with his face scrunched up so tight he seems to have his eyes closed. Brindle is league territory and Ethan and Kurt are the school’s star players. Kurt because he’s built like a brick and Ethan because he’s fast.
    ‘That’s correct, Ethan, it does have a balcony.’
    ‘So why did you swap then, Mr P?’ It’s Jade this time. For a kid who mostly zones out in class, every now and then she’s spot on with her questions.
    He stops to think about it. Ms Mathews made me isn’t going to be the most helpful answer, even if it’s the honest one.
    ‘Well, because Ms Coote’s class will be a big one this year. And Ms Mathews thought it would be better if Ms Coote had some more space.’
    ‘So Ms Mathews made you swap?’ Cody sits just behind Kurt and Ethan, his little head peeping out from between them. He’s thin and wiry and small, his hair bleached close to white from a summer spent, no doubt, on his surfboard.
    Terry shakes his head. This is one of those times when lying’s the only way to go. ‘No. It was more an agreement.’
    Cody leans forward, a hand on each of his mates’ shoulders. ‘I wouldn’t’ve agreed, Mr P,’ he says, his voice earnest. ‘I would’ve just said, This is my room and I’m going to keep my room . That’s what I would’ve said.’
    ‘Me too,’ Ethan calls out. ‘I would’ve just stayed.’
    Time to move on, Terry thinks. ‘So, ladies and gentlemen,’ he says, ‘today I’m going to be telling you about your new classes.’
    A nervous ripple passes through the group. He could draw it out a bit, call them out name by name to keep the suspense going, but what for? Best just serve it straight up.
    ‘So,’ he says, ‘here’s the news: I’ll be your teacher again this year.’ He watches as they digest the information. Kurt is the first to react, punching the air with his fist as he lets out a whistling, ‘ Yes-s-sss .’
    The rest of them are quieter. Cody nods his head like one of those dolls on a spring and Ethan just looks pleased. Behind him, Jade leans back on her hands and gives Terry one of her lazy grins. Even though she’s not yet twelve, she’s as sassy as an eighteen-year-old. Out of school uniform, you’d think she was fourteen, fifteen even. Already she’s a head-turner. Her hair, naturally a very light brown, has lightened with the summer, and there’s a new smattering of freckles across her nose.
    Beside her, Bridie doesn’t do or say anything. She just stays as she is: cross-legged on the rug, her hands in her lap. Only when Terry gives her a wink does she venture a tiny smile, her eyes big and watery behind her thick