I Think My Dad Is a Spy by Sognia Vassallo Page A

it Soph. It’s not that strange, it’s probably just a business call or something work-related,” Janice assured me.
    â€œHuh? A business call in the middle of the night Janice? Mr George runs a post office—what mail-related emergency could there poss­ibly be?” Theo disputed.
    â€œW-well, I don’t know exactly, but what I meant to say was when the phone rings in the middle of the night at our house, it’s just one of Dad’s partners from America or Japan. You see over there, no one remembers the time difference to us all the way down here in Australia. But all that will change when I become a famous lawyer like Dad. I’ll just move to Tokyo or to New York instead,” Janice announced proudly.
    â€œInstead of moving time zones why don’t you just turn your phone off before you go to bed?” Theo asked.
    â€œOh…shut up Theo you don’t know anything!” she snapped rudely.
    â€œHey stop it you two! I’d like at least one morning on the way to school where you don’t bicker at each other,” I growled. I didn’t mean to sound like a grown-up but they needed someone like me to keep them in line. The three of us dawdled up the road in silence.
    â€œYesterday afternoon after I delivered all the parcels,” I said breaking the silence, “I overheard Dad talking on the phone but this time he was talking inside the broom closet.”
    â€œTHE BROOM CLOSET!” my friends exclaimed.
    â€œYes! It seems to be the place he takes all his ‘important calls’ lately,” I said using my fingers as inverted comas to emphasize the words ‘important calls’. “That’s when I overheard him mention ‘Wall Street’.”
    â€œBut that’s in New York City!” Janice interrupted me.
    â€œDUH, WE KNOW THAT!” Theo scoffed at Janice.
    â€œWell so-rr-y for speaking,” she huffed as she folded her arms tightly and walked a little faster ahead of us.
    I could tell Janice was annoyed because whenever she got mad her freckles glowed bright orange.
    â€œI also heard Dad say the name ‘Tiffany’,” I said ignoring her. Theo let out a dramatic gasp with both his hands clasped over his mouth. He always showed a lot of enthusiasm during conversations; I liked that about him.
    â€œWho’s Tiffany?” Janice asked as she stopped and waited for us to catch up to her.
    â€œI don’t know. I’m not even sure if he was talking to a woman called Tiffany or he just happened to mention the name,” I said.
    â€œWell it sounds to me like he’s got another girlfriend,” announced Janice.
    Janice’s comment took me so by surprise that I coughed and choked for air. Theo quickly pushed her out of the way and began patting me hard on the back.
    â€œYou shouldn’t say things like that Janice, Sophie could’ve choked to death!” he exaggerated. “Besides Mr George would never do anything to hurt Chelsea, they’ve been together for ages and he really loves her!”
    â€œYeah I agree. (Cough, cough.) It’s just her idiot son Michael I can’t stand!” I spluttered.
    Theo nodded agreeing with me while he kept patting my back.
    â€œDid you see him at lunch yesterday picking on poor Dunstan again?” I asked in a croaky voice.
    â€œYeah, that Michael’s a real idiot. I feel so sorry for you Soph. Can you imagine if your dad marries Chelsea, then Michael would become your step bro…”
    â€œDON’T EVER SAY IT, JANICE!” I yelled.
    Theo shot a nasty look at Janice as he grabbed me by the arm. “Are you trying to kill Sophie today, Janice?” he scowled escorting me briskly up the lane way. Janice followed behind us sulking. “Hurry up or else we’ll be late for school,” he said.
    We walked in silence and my head swirled about with so many thoughts. Chelsea was such a nice lady, and it was such a