Brumby Plains Read Online Free Page B

to make something of it. He was carrying an armload of wooden carvings, obviously intended for one of the stalls. Sam opened his mouth to say something, but the young man was already gone, weaving through the crowds and out of sight.
    Tess picked up the bag and they made their way over to where they could see George and Darcy.
    â€˜Well, good morning, my young rescuers. How nice to see you again!’ Charles beamed at them and his eyebrows shot around his forehead like ferrets chasing a rabbit. He was wearing a colourful Balinese shirt and a sarong, and a pair of leather sandals, and was seated on a folding chair with the morning paper open on his lap. At his feet were dozens of little potted trees.
    Sam and Tess smiled awkwardly at him.
    â€˜So are you here to buy something in particular, or are you just after market food like everyone else?’
    â€˜Actually we wanted to buy a Christmas present for our mum,’ George replied, and looked at Sam and Tess. ‘Did you get the crystal?’
    Tess opened the paper bag and tipped the contents out onto her hand. ‘Oh no …’ The broken pieces of crystal glittered in the sunlight. ‘Some creep bashed into us and it fell on the road.’ She looked in dismay at the others.
    Charles regarded the group for a moment and announced, ‘I have a solution. I would be honoured to give you one of my special bonsais – all mothers love plants, and this one is quite house-trained.’ He held up a beautiful miniature weeping fig, a cascade of green showering over a grey weave of trunk and roots in a small clay pot.
    â€˜Oh, wow!’ exclaimed George. ‘That’s great!’
    Sam looked worried. ‘We can’t take that – it must cost a heap.’
    â€˜Not at all. It’s the least I can do,’ said Charles. ‘You helped me tremendously yesterday. I wouldn’t even have got here this morning if it hadn’t been for you. Now, where are those carry bags …?’
    As they waited for Charles to find a bag to put the bonsai into, Tess pointed. ‘Look, that’s the guywho knocked the bag out of Sam’s hand, over there by that junk stall.’
    The others craned their heads as did Charles. ‘That shifty looking character in the black T-shirt? You’ll do well to stay out of his way. Very nasty piece of work, that one. Very nasty.’ He stared at them oddly for a moment, suddenly grave and serious. He looked like he was about to say something more but then seemed to think better of it, and hefted the carry bag into the air.
    â€˜Here you go. Now, only water it once a week or so, no fertiliser, and a nice sunny spot. If you have any problems with it, you know where to find me. But I expect it’s a long way to come to see the tree doctor! And, George, I will give your business offer some serious thought. Yes indeed, we could come to a very satisfactory mutual arrangement! Come and see me next time you are in town. Cheerio then!’ Charles waved them goodbye and turned to serve a customer.
    As they headed in the direction of home, Sam glared at George. ‘What have you been up to?’
    â€˜I reckon I could make a fortune selling Charles plants for his bonsai business. I’m going to talk toDad about it when we get back – if it’s okay then Charles wants to come out and have a look around.’
    â€˜I bet he does,’ muttered Sam. He didn’t trust Charles, but he wasn’t really sure why.

They were almost home. Sam, George, Tess and Darcy faced each other in the back of the Troop Carrier across a pile of boxes and bags and spare parts. The side windows were slid open behind them but the air funnelling in through the window was hot anyway. They had been on the road for three hours and everyone’s patience was nearly exhausted, in spite of the water and snacks which Sarah handed round every so often.
    The vehicle came to a halt, and Mac yelled,