Friday Barnes 3 by R. A. Spratt Page B

slow,’ said Friday.
    â€˜That’s a bit harsh,’ said Binky, taken aback. ‘I know my score on the IQ test was on the low side, but I try my best.’
    â€˜I don’t mean your brain,’ said Friday.
    â€˜Although, it is,’ added Melanie.
    â€˜I mean, you aren’t very fast at running, are you?’ said Friday.
    â€˜No, you do have a point there,’ agreed Binky frankly. ‘But you might have noticed that I’m a big chap. Obviously tall. But also, under these clothes –’
    â€˜Please don’t be disgusting, Binky,’ said Melanie.
    â€˜I’ve got a lot of muscles,’ said Binky. ‘The rugby master has had me lifting weights. I can bench press a lot of those heavy disc things they put on the barbell. I thought if I kitted up in running shorts and a singlet, I might cut an impressive sight. Catch the eye, if you know what I mean.’
    Friday shook her head to try and rid herself of the mental image of Binky in skimpy clothes. ‘I think I get the gist of it.’
    â€˜So what do you need from us?’ asked Melanie.
    â€˜I wanted to talk it through with you,’ said Binky. ‘Find out what you thought of it as an idea.’
    â€˜It sounds like a terrible idea,’ said Friday. ‘But that doesn’t mean it won’t work.’

Chapter 15

The Potato Dash
    â€˜What’s that smell?’ asked Melanie.
    Friday and Melanie were standing with Binky at the starting line of the Potato Dash. All the other competitors were limbering up with stretches or by bouncing up and down on the spot.
    Friday sniffed the air. There was a very disagreeable aroma. ‘It’s part Tiger balm, part fear sweat and partly the chook poo Mr Pilcher is currently watering into the flowerbeds on the far side of the science block,’ said Friday.
    â€˜I knew athletic events were unpleasant but I didn’t realise they would smell so bad,’ said Melanie.
    â€˜So who is the favourite to win?’ asked Friday.
    â€˜Higgenbottom is fast, and so is Derrick Struthers, and Jamison,’ said Binky. ‘But Rajiv Patel and Derrick’s brother, Jason, are devious. They’re roommates. Last year they concocted a scheme to slow everyone down with banana peels.’
    â€˜Did it work?’ asked Friday.
    â€˜No, the winner punched Patel in the nose and kept running,’ said Melanie.
    â€˜You’re super brainy,’ said Binky, turning to Friday. ‘Do you have any tips on how to win a running race?’
    â€˜There’s no point asking her now,’ said Melanie. ‘She’s too distracted by seeing Ian in his super-short running shorts.’
    â€˜I am not!’ said Friday. ‘I haven’t even noticed him.’
    Friday turned round and saw Ian right behind her. He was stretching his quadriceps while standing on one leg. Friday had never seen him in so little clothing before. Students usually wore polo shirts for PE and much longer shorts. Not that Friday ever attended PE lessons if she could avoid it. She’dnever noticed how lean and muscular Ian’s shoulders were before.
    â€˜Now she’s too distracted,’ said Melanie.
    â€˜Wainscott is a double threat,’ said Binky. ‘He’s fast and sneaky.’
    Ian smirked as he caught Friday staring at him. ‘Like what you see?’ asked Ian.
    â€˜You have pleasing symmetry,’ said Friday truthfully.
    Ian raised his eyebrows.
    â€˜You know you’re good-looking, so you don’t need me to tell you,’ said Friday.
    Ian smiled. ‘Please stop flirting with me. I’m trying to concentrate on winning this race.’
    Friday’s otherwise incredibly intelligent brain was suddenly unable to organise itself into finding a suitably cutting retort. All she could think to say was ‘bah’ but she realised this didn’t sum up her thoughts and feelings adequately, so she simply turned back