Screw Loose by Chris Wheat Page A

mad.’
    Georgia didn’t know how to answer that. What was it about this school, that it bred girls like Tamsin Court-Cookson and Chelsea Dean? This wasn’t a friendly introduction at all.
    â€˜Actually, I’m from Vistaview Secondary College,’ she responded bravely.
    Tamsin stopped and turned to face her. ‘Really? How peculiar. Do you know Bunsy Dean?’
    Georgia was mesmerised by Tamsin’s grey eyes but managed to mutter, ‘I know Chelsea Dean.’
    â€˜Same Looney Tune. She used to be a student here. Sister Francis, the previous head, expelled her for kidnapping a statue of Our Lady from the chapel – as a joke, of course. Bunsy sent postcards for a month from various parts of the world, then returned the statue with a lei around its neck – and a Mickey Mouse watch. Best thing that happened to the school all year. There were rumours that the Pope was going to excommunicate all of us. Then Sister Francis was put out to pasture, and we were saved.’
    â€˜I think Chelsea once mentioned something like that.’
    â€˜We were all in on it. But Chelsea took the rap.’
    â€˜Chelsea is starting a rowing club at Vistaview.’
    Tamsin laughed. ‘I’ll bet it’s boys-only.’
    Georgia nodded.
    â€˜She was boy-obsessed. That’s why she really got herself expelled. To be closer to boys. You know, she once told me that her dream was to be rowed down the river to her place by an all-boys rowing team. She’s trying to get her wish. Ghastly Chelsea. Do your parents have a palace?’
    â€˜A fort, actually.’
    â€˜A fort? Are they often attacked?’
    â€˜It was built ages ago. They haven’t been attacked for centuries.’
    The two of them had arrived at an old bluestone chapel with a tower.
    â€˜This is it: scene of the notorious kidnapping!’ Tamsin pushed open the door, and Georgia stepped into a blue-and-red stained-glass silence. The cool air smelt of incense. A bluerobed statue of the Virgin stood in one corner.
    â€˜And here you will be told to remain pure.’ Tamsin’s eyes rolled. ‘Are you Hindu?’
    â€˜I’m not anything.’
    Tamsin began to pace noisily around the chapel. Georgia watched her out of the corner of her eye. She might be fun to know.
    â€˜And why do you live in Australia?’ Tamsin’s voice reverberated off the walls.
    â€˜It’s a long story.’
    â€˜I’d love to live in a fort. I’d love to have my own army.’ Tamsin straightened up. She was quite tall. ‘Okay, what other parts of Gormenghast might I show you?’
    â€˜I’m not sure. The woodwork room?’
    â€˜The woodwork room?’
    â€˜Or the gym.’
    Tamsin looked pleased. ‘We have a zoo, too.’
    â€˜This school has a zoo? Amazing.’
    â€˜Well, it’s tragic actually. It has a sheep – poor thing – and a tortoise, a pony, a one-winged eagle, some canaries and budgies, about twenty rabbits that have been given no birthcontrol advice – it is a Catholic zoo – and every creature is over fed.’
    They left the chapel, and Georgia followed Tamsin down a flower-lined path. ‘I have an elephant,’ she said, trying to impress this amazing girl.
    Tamsin stopped. ‘That’s a first. You should come to school on it.’
    â€˜It’s in India,’ Georgia laughed.
    Tamsin Court-Cookson’s eyes were twinkling. ‘I’d love to go to India. You should invite me.’
    Georgia didn’t know what to say.
    â€˜Go on, invite me.’
    Life was moving unexpectedly fast. Georgia heard herself say: ‘Please come to India with me.’
    â€˜Thanks,’ said Tamsin. ‘When?’
    She hesitated. ‘As soon as possible?’
    â€˜Terrific! Deal’s done,’ said Tamsin Court-Cookson and held out her hand for a shake. ‘This is just like speed dating!’

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