Keep It Down! Read Online Free

turn bowling. You other two can practise fielding in slips.’
    Davey plodded to the bowler’s end, dragging Kaboom behind him. He’d never felt so uninspired on a cricket pitch before.
    Sunil paced out his run-up, then turned to face his nemesis. At least now Mo had his bat on the ground, but his feet were still wide apart, as if he was holding a golf club, and he was still bouncing on the spot.
    Sunil ran in and bowled a full-length fast ball down the leg side. Mo ran out to meet it, trying to get his bat to it before it bounced. He missed and Tay Tui caught it and stumped him faster than Davey could say ‘Ha!’
    â€˜Out!’ Tay called.
    â€˜No’ fair! Gi’s another one! I’ll smash it!’ Mo was waving his bat threateningly in Sunil’s direction.
    Ms Maro stepped in. ‘Okay, Mo, try again.’ She turned to Sunil. ‘Captain, we need to help our new recruit get up to speed. Bowl a little slower till Mo gets the hang of it.’
    Sunil didn’t smile or nod; in fact, Davey was sure he saw his best friend grimace before turning to go back to his mark.
    Ms Maro glanced at her watch. ‘Now guys, I have to pop down to the office for ten minutes. Keep it up and I’ll be back before you can say “Six!”’ She gave a tinkly laugh, then set off at a jog across the playground.
    For once Sunil did as he was told, and bowled a slower ball. Mo managed to hit it and ran down the pitch. Davey ran too, but had to sidestep Mo, who had begun zigzagging in front of him.
    â€˜Move over, Shorty!’ Mo laughed.
    Now at the crease and waiting to bat, Davey tried to put Mo out of his mind, even though his batting partner was grinning like a pufferfish at the bowler’s end.
    He breathed deeply and tried to focus. Eye on the ball. Eye on the ball . . .
    â€˜You’re my one, my only, b-a-a-a-b-y-y-y,’
    It’s no fun, I’m so lonely, b-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-a- b-b-b-b-y-y-y-y-y.’
    Tay was singing that stupid song again.
    Aargh !
    Sunil ran in and bowled a bouncer down the leg side. Davey thought he’d try his switch hit. He swapped the position of his hands and turned. But his timing was all wrong and in a split second the ball was in Tay’s gloves. Davey had to admit she was pretty good.
    â€˜Close!’ she said, flashing him a smile.
    â€˜She’ll catch you next time!’ Mo called from the other end of the pitch.
    Davey bit his tongue and gave him a friendly wave.
    â€˜ If you care, if you care at all,
    Just pick up your phone and make that call . . .’
    Davey turned. ‘Hey Tay, keep it down!’ he said in a friendly tone.
    â€˜What?’ Tay looked confused. ‘I didn’t say anything.’
    â€˜You were singing.’
    â€˜Was I? Oh, sorry.’ Tay shook her head as if she’d just woken from a deep sleep.
    Davey tapped the pitch lightly with Kaboom and tried to focus again. Take a deep breath. Eye on the ball . . .
    Sunil ran in. Just as he reached the bowler’s crease, Mo hooted loudly.
    The noise took Sunil by surprise, and his ball went wide.
    Davey let it go through to Tay.
    â€˜Ha! Those Batfish are gonna win by a mile! Mo laughed.
    â€˜Clouter, you’re on the team now,’ Davey called out. ‘You’re one of us !’
    Mo laughed again, and did a little shake and a wriggle. ‘Maybe – or maybe not!’
    Davey groaned.
    â€˜Shania said Mo was a bit thick.’
    Davey turned.
    Tay was grinning at him. ‘But I kind of like him.’
    Davey raised an eyebrow. ‘That makes two – you and his mum.’
    â€˜He reminds me of Zac. You know, the tall one in B4U?’ Tay stared into the middle distance, as if she’d been hypnotised. ‘He’s got those dark eyes.’
    â€˜Eeewww!’
    Tay shrugged and smiled to herself. ‘ You’re my one –’
    â€˜â€œ MY ONLY BABY ”! I know