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responsible.’ Mudge turned to survey the class. ‘And I promised you all then that if I ever found someone eating lollies again in class, I’d make an example of that person.’
    â€˜Yes, Mr Mudge.’
    â€˜Warner, I’m determined to teach you something, if it’s the last thing I do.’ Now Mudge’s whole head was purple. It looked like a giant eggplant with hair. ‘That’s it. Instead of playing sport on Friday you can help me polish the lawn bowls. And if there’s any time left over, I’m sure Mrs Trundle will be able to put you to good use.’
    Mudge bared his teeth in an evil grin. ‘So that means you’ll miss the cricket match this week. You’re going to have to learn the hard way.’
    â€˜Mr Mudge?’ Tay had her hand up. ‘I . . .’
    Mudge shook his head sadly. ‘Tay, no doubt you’re feeling sorry for Warner, but he deserves everything he gets. He’ll never learn, otherwise. So I don’t want to hear any more about it.’
    He peered around the room. ‘I’m sure someone else could take Warner’s place in Friday’s game. Any volunteers?’
    Bella Ferosi’s hand shot up. ‘I’m an excellent cricketer, Mr Mudge,’ she said. ‘I’ve never joined the cricket team because I’m the netball captain, as everyone knows.’ She looked around the room, searching for confirmation. ‘But we have a bye in netball this week, so I’d be happy to captain the cricket team.’
    Grinning maliciously, Mudge looked across at Sunil. ‘Well, I’ll suggest that to Ms Maro,’ he said. ‘I’m sure she’d be happy to give you a turn as cricket captain, Bella. It’s good to allow others the opportunity to shine, don’t you agree, Deep?’
    Davey eyed Sunil. His friend had that zombie look again. Sunil was proud to be captain of both the school team and their club team, the Sandhill Sluggers, and he had every right to be – he was a great captain, even if he did sometimes let slip the odd word or two to the other side.
    Bella, on the other hand, was the bossiest person Davey had ever met. A cricket team with Bella and Mo in it was a team Davey would never want to join. He shook his head in despair.
    â€˜Don’t worry, Shorty,’ Mo whispered. ‘I’ll take care of those Batfish.’ He giggled. ‘You can count on me.’

CHAPTER 7
TRAINING TRAUMA
    â€˜Just because you can’t play doesn’t mean you can’t come to training.’ Sunil had his arm around Davey’s shoulder as they rounded the toilet block and headed across C playground.
    â€˜Yeah, same as me,’ Kevin said. ‘I’m still going to training. It’s better than sitting around doing nothing.’
    They reached the cricket pitch. Some of the team were already there, but Ms Maro was yet to arrive.
    â€˜What about Bella?’ Davey was in a funk. ‘They can’t make her captain!’
    â€˜Nah, that’ll never happen.’ Sunil sounded his usual happy self. ‘I’ll eat Mo’s stinky hat if they make Bella captain.’
    Davey was about to make Sunil shake on it – bets like these always cheered him up – when someone called out his name.
    â€˜Davey!’
    He turned. Tay Tui was running towards them with Ivy Mundine close behind.
    â€˜I’m so sorry, bro!’ Tay was panting. ‘I tried to tell Mr Mudge again just now, but he still wouldn’t listen. It was like he didn’t really want to know . . .’
    â€˜He didn’t. He’s always like that.’ Ivy frowned. ‘It’s bad luck, though. And now look who’s coming.’ She pointed.
    They turned to see. Bella had just rounded the toilet block and was striding towards them. She was carrying a bat. When she saw them staring, she waved. ‘Hi, everyone! You ready to get stuck