Ghost Boy Read online

  He was halfway along the track, searching the bush trying to remember where he’d dropped his school bag, when a thought brought him to a sudden halt. The Quarantine Station! Thaddeus Dearborne! Breakfast! The newspaper! No wonder the name seemed familiar. Dearborne was the name of the family who’d come out here … how many years ago?

  He did a quick calculation. A hundred and fourteen years ago. Tad had said he was 126 years old. Froggy frowned as he tried to make some sense of it all.

  Thaddeus had been the name of the boy who had disappeared. But Tad had talked of his little brother, Joseph. There was a boy, Joseph, at the Quarantine Station. Froggy remembered his father reading it. But the Sydney Morning Herald had said that Joseph had died.

  Froggy tensed as he pictured himself breaking the news to Tad. Then he smiled faintly. Really, he didn’t believe in ghosts! But … but … Froggy hurried along the path once more, his thoughts in a jumble.

  There were lawyers out here right now, trying to find out what had happened to Thaddeus! Well, he could certainly tell them! Tell them what? That a ghost boy was hanging around the rocks at Dobroyd Head hoping to see his little brother Joseph again?

  Come off it!

  But what about their feet? The lawyers were looking for Dearborne heirs. They looked alike; they had the same feet. And Tad had seemed convinced that Froggy was a Dearborne, not a Davidson.

  If he didn’t wake up tomorrow and find out it was all a dream, he’d go back and see Tad, Froggy thought. He’d ask him the lawyer’s questions and see what the ghost boy said. The answers would be really interesting!

  9

  The house was quiet when Froggy let himself in. He breathed a sigh of relief. Nan must be out shopping or visiting one of her friends, as usual. She hardly ever seemed to be home these days, but at least it gave him time to change and hang his clothes out before his mother came home. Thank goodness it was a weekend! They’d have plenty of time to dry.

  Along the passage he could hear a faint tap-tapping: his father writing more letters, asking for work. Froggy felt sad. Every afternoon he came home to the same sound. His father must have written millions of letters yet he never seemed to have any success.

  He needed to find the newspaper. So far he only knew what his father had told him about the Dearborne case. But there might be more. Besides, he wanted to be sure of all the details before he saw Tad again.

  During dinner that night, Froggy wondered whether he should mention his afternoon’s adventures. Yet he hardly knew where to start! Being chased into the sea? Froggy squirmed with embarrassment at the memory of it and decided that he didn’t particularly want to confess to being a coward.

  The memory of the chase brought him out in a cold sweat. But there was something else, something he’d been too frightened to realise at the time. That last jump. It was bad enough that he’d run away, but having done so, why had he just gone straight off the edge like that?

  Something pulled me over and down, Froggy thought, remembering the strange force that had sent him racing down the path and over the edge into the sea. Tad pulled me down. He shivered. In the comfort and security of home, that cold and lonely place seemed a hundred kilometres away and Tad an evil ghost who had almost managed to lure him to his death. True, Tad had saved Froggy’s life, but it was his fault Froggy was in the sea in the first place! What if the same thing happened again and this time Tad left him to drown? He might even do it on purpose, to punish him for not being Joseph!

  Froggy pushed his fork into the spaghetti on his plate and twirled it around. Little pieces kept escaping like fraying string. He gave up and shoved the whole lot into his mouth, slurping up the loose bits. His mother frowned at him.

  ‘Oh, by the way,’ Froggy practised silently, ‘I think I’ve solved the mystery of the Dearborne family. There’s a ghost boy on Dobroyd I think you should meet.’

  ‘Pardon?’ his mother said sharply.

  ‘Nothing,’ mumbled Froggy into his plate.

  ‘Get on and don’t pick at your food then.’

  She turned back to Froggy’s father. They were obviously making plans for the weekend. Froggy heard her say: ‘So Fred can go into the city with you tomorrow, James. I have to shop and start preparing things. I want Jennifer and her family to have a good time at the barbecue on Sunday. I thought we might meet them at the beach.’

  ‘I’ve told you, Eleanor, you’re quite welcome to invite your friends to the house.’ Nan’s voice had an unfamiliar hard edge. It sounded almost as if she was accusing Froggy’s mother of something.

  His mother’s face tightened. ‘We don’t want to be any trouble. Besides, I thought it would be more fun for Fred and Jenny’s daughter, Caroline, at the beach. They’ll be able to swim and explore the bush.’

  Swim? With a girl at the beach? Froggy wondered whether it would be possible to leave home for the weekend.

  ‘It’s no trouble, you know that. This is your home now.’ Froggy wondered why Nan looked so cross and his father so uncomfortable.

  ‘You’ll like Caroline.’ His mother turned to Froggy, sounding determinedly cheerful. ‘Jenny tells me she’s about your age. She may even go to your school. I didn’t think to ask. Anyway, it’ll do you good to have someone your own age to go out with.’

  Froggy cringed. Go out with? How old did his mother think he was, anyway?

  Then he remembered Tad. ‘I can’t come on Sunday. I have something to do.’ It was true. If Saturday was to be spent with his dad in the city, he’d have to see Tad on Sunday.

  ‘What do you have to do?’ his mother asked brightly, her voice brittle with effort.

  Froggy shrugged. How could he explain?

  ‘Maybe Caroline could go with you.’ His mother was like a terrier with a bone. Froggy wondered why a dumb old barbecue meant so much to her.

  For one reason or another they’d lost most of their friends. It wasn’t as easy for Dad to get about now that he was in a wheelchair. And his mum worked so hard she hardly had time to meet her old friends any more. And even though Froggy talked to Al on the phone sometimes, and they planned to meet up in the school holidays, it wasn’t the same. Al was hanging out with another group now. Froggy knew they’d never be best friends again.

  Did his mother hate living here as much as he did? Did she also feel lonely? Was that why she was trying so hard to make new friends?

  ‘You will be nice to Caroline, won’t you?’ His mother interrupted his thoughts.

  Froggy nodded. How could he say no? But he was cranky. What a waste of a day! Now he’d have to wait until Monday before he could see Tad again.

  ‘Would you like to come on Sunday, Nan?’ From her tone, Froggy knew his mother was just being polite.

  ‘No, dear, thank you.’ Froggy’s eyes swivelled to Nan. He could tell she wasn’t grateful for the invitation at all. He sighed, wishing his mother and Nan got on a bit better. Looking at his father’s unhappy face, Froggy knew he wished it too.

  Froggy had the drowning dream again on Friday night, and on Saturday night. He’d hoped the dream might go away now that he’d nearly drowned. Instead, it was getting worse. Froggy was beginning to wonder if he would have it for the rest of his life.

  He felt tired and less than friendly when they arrived at the beach on Sunday, and found his mother’s friends already waiting for them. Froggy looked around. No sign of a girl. Maybe she’d stayed home.

  He felt a lot more cheerful as he unloaded the wheelchair and helped his father into it. As he wheeled his father across the grass he noticed a girl paddling in the water. Cassie Gibbs! She had her back to Froggy, but he couldn’t help thinking how different she looked out of school uniform. A thick plait of hair, the colour of honey, hung down her back. She wore a white T-shirt with the slogan ‘Drop dead!’ on the back, and faded denim shorts. Froggy bet they cost heaps, even though they were artistically frayed at the bottom.

  She spun around suddenly, almost as if she knew he was staring at her. As she noticed
Froggy, her lip curled. She looked really cranky as she started to walk up the beach. Then he heard someone call out and realised – this was Caroline!

  Froggy closed his eyes and groaned, wishing he was invisible. How was he going to get out of this? This was even worse than the drowning dreams, he thought, wondering why Cassie had come. Surely she had better things to do with her time.

  The last question was answered quickly enough. ‘Fred’s been lonely since we moved over here,’ said Froggy’s mother, as Cassie was introduced. ‘I’m glad you came today, Caroline.’

  ‘Oh, I insisted on it,’ said her mother. ‘Cassie had arranged to go to the movies with her friends, but I told her it was far too nice a day to be inside.’

  Cassie shot Froggy a glance of pure hatred. He wanted to die. It looked like he and Cassie were stuck with each other. But just because she was there, it didn’t mean he’d have to talk to her.

  ‘I’ll find some wood for the barbie!’ Froggy didn’t give anyone a chance to say anything as he rushed off into the bush behind the beach. He’d keep busy all afternoon, he decided. Cassie could make her own plans.

  Froggy insisted on taking charge of the cooking. His mother kept giving him suspicious looks, especially when Cassie flounced off to have a swim by herself. Froggy hid a quick grin. So far his tactics were pretty successful. He looked over at his parents. The day out was doing them both good. His father seemed to enjoy having a man to talk to for a change, while his mother was more relaxed and cheerful than Froggy had seen her in a long time.

  Cassie came out of the water, walked up the beach and over to inspect the barbecue, flicking drops of water over Froggy as she did so, watching for a reaction. He moved away and ignored her.

  In a huff, she opened her beach bag, grabbed a towel and stretched out in the sun. Froggy poked the sausages, watched the fat leak out, hissing as it hit the flames. ‘The meat’s almost done,’ he warned his mother, who jumped up and started unpacking salads from the cold bag.

  Froggy stared out across the water. They were picnicking high on the grass behind the beach, and there were no waves because they were in the harbour, but the sight of the sea made him feel sick. Would Cassie ask him to swim after lunch? She knew how he felt about the water. It would be a good payback for missing out on the movies.

  Froggy found he didn’t have too much appetite for lunch after all. But Cassie did. She scraped her plate clean before putting it down. ‘Let’s go in for a swim, Froggy.’ She smiled sweetly, daring him to do it.

  ‘Perhaps you should let your lunch settle first,’ said Froggy’s mother. ‘We’re just going to lie around and read the papers before we go in.’

  ‘I’m going for a walk,’ said Froggy. He wanted to throw up just thinking about how close the path went to the sea in some places, but at least it was better than swimming. He knew Cassie would keep on about going for a swim if he stayed on the beach.

  Cassie hesitated, then she bent down, picked up her shorts and shirt and put them on. ‘I’ll come too,’ she said and stomped off without waiting to see if Froggy was ready.

  He followed, embarrassed by the approving murmurs as his mother and Cassie’s congratulated themselves on their tactics.

  Instead of following the foreshore path, as Froggy expected, Cassie turned up a side track and they began to climb steadily. ‘There’s a good view higher up,’ she said.

  Froggy looked about him, recognising landmarks, wondering why the bush began to seem familiar. Then he realised that the spur track had linked up with the path he’d run along while trying to escape from Jake and his mates. Alarmed, he stopped and called, ‘Let’s go back now.’

  ‘Why?’ Cassie turned on him, suddenly hostile. ‘It was your dumb idea to go for a walk. At least let’s go somewhere interesting.’

  Froggy wondered if Tad would qualify as ‘interesting’.

  Cassie kept walking, faster than before. Froggy followed, wondering what to do next. Should he turn back and leave her behind? There’d be trouble with the parents if he did that.

  Damn Cassie! This whole afternoon was a disaster. Froggy groaned as he imagined the stories she would spread at school. Already everyone thought he was a loser. Now they’d have Cassie’s word to prove it. Froggy’s steps dragged as they came closer to the edge. What should he do if Tad was waiting for him?

  He heard Cassie cry out and felt relief. She’s seen Tad, he thought, and rushed forward to witness their meeting.

  ‘Isn’t it incredible?’ Cassie was wide-eyed. She actually smiled as she waited for his answer.

  Reassured, Froggy waved a greeting to Tad who was sitting on a low rock, arms folded, chewing a piece of grass. ‘Hi!’ he shouted.

  ‘It’s fantastic, isn’t it? The view?’ Cassie stared at Froggy curiously. ‘Who are you waving at?’

  Froggy’s hand dropped suddenly. He scratched frantically at his head for something to do until he realised Cassie would think he had head lice or something equally gross. He stopped and blushed bright red instead.

  He had absolutely no idea what to do next. Curious, he waited to see what would happen. Cassie couldn’t see Tad. Would she hear him if he spoke? Would Tad make himself known to her? Froggy quite hoped he would. It would be good to share his problems with someone else, even if it was Cassie Gibbs. But what if Cassie didn’t believe Tad was there at all?

  ‘Where have you been? I thought you were coming yesterday.’ Tad sounded furious.

  Froggy looked at Cassie. She’d turned her back and was staring out to sea, enjoying the view. It was obvious she’d neither seen nor heard anything. Froggy started to sweat.

  Tad tugged at his arm. ‘Why didn’t you come before?’

  ‘I’m sorry,’ muttered Froggy. ‘I had something to do. I couldn’t come yesterday.’

  ‘What are you on about?’ said Cassie, swinging around to look at him. ‘We weren’t supposed to come yesterday.’

  ‘No, I meant …’ Froggy flapped a hand helplessly. ‘Nice view,’ he said.

  It was Tad’s turn to look at him strangely. ‘Is this person with you?’ he asked. ‘Doesn’t he have any proper clothes to wear?’ He looked at Cassie more closely. ‘He’s not a fellow, he’s a girl!’ he exclaimed.

  Froggy looked at Cassie’s plait, her frayed shorts and long bare legs, and started to snigger.

  ‘What are you laughing at, dummy?’ she hissed.

  Tad stared at her, aghast. ‘Who is this person?’ He turned to Froggy. There was pity as well as contempt in his voice as he continued: ‘Her clothes are in rags and very immodest. And her tone to you is most disrespectful.’

  Froggy laughed out loud. He couldn’t help it.

  Cassie gave him a cold, blue stare. ‘What’s with you, anyway?’ she snapped. ‘I’m getting outta here. You’re weird.’

  ‘No, wait a minute.’

  ‘You come from one of the leading families in England.’ Tad’s voice was disapproving. ‘Our family dates back centuries. You can’t associate with … with people like this. You’ll drag down the family name.’ He inspected Cassie as if she was some sort of biological specimen. ‘Anyway, I can’t think why you brought her,’ he said. ‘You know she can’t see me. She’s not part of the family.’

  ‘Yes, we need to talk about your family.’

  Cassie stared at him and tapped her foot impatiently. ‘What about my family?’ she demanded.

  ‘I mean … er …’ Froggy floundered, ‘I … I’ve been reading about you.’

  ‘You have?’ For the first time, Cassie looked interested. ‘What have you read? What did it say?’

  ‘Have you!’ exclaimed Tad. ‘What have you read? What did it say?’

  ‘Oh damn!’ said Froggy.

  ‘You’d better tell her,’ Tad advised.

  ‘Tell her what? She won’t believe me.’

  ‘Why shouldn’t I believe you?’ said Cassie. ‘Go on, tell me what you read.’

  Tad sighed impatiently. ‘Get rid of her,’ he said. ‘S
he’s rude and ill-bred and a real nosy parker. Tell her to go away.’

  ‘I can’t,’ said Froggy.

  ‘Why not?’ Tad looked curious. ‘Don’t tell me you admire her?’

  ‘Of course not!’ He turned to Cassie in desperation.

  ‘Why don’t we go back now?’

  ‘No. Tell me what you read about my family.’ Cassie sat down on the warm rock, almost on top of Tad who jumped out of her way just in time.

  ‘Careful!’ he shouted.

  ‘She can’t see you,’ Froggy reminded him.

  ‘Froggy, what’s going on? Anyone would think you were talking to a ghost or something.’ And Cassie laughed in derision.

  ‘I am.’

  Cassie stared at him, then looked around, carefully inspecting the empty headland. ‘Oh sure,’ she said. ‘And I’m Madonna.’

  ‘She thinks she’s the Madonna?’ Tad was scandalised.

  ‘Of course not!’ Froggy snapped.

  ‘But you just said you were,’ Cassie pointed out, and Froggy clutched his hair and groaned. He wished he’d never started this, but how was he going to get out of it now? Cassie’s eyes gleamed bright with excitement. He’d have to convince her that Tad really existed or his life would be a misery.

  ‘There is a ghost here,’ he said. ‘His name’s Tad and he’s right here.’ Froggy put a hand on Tad’s bare arm. ‘Can’t you do something so she’ll believe me?’ he pleaded.

  ‘I’m not a show at a music hall!’ Tad shook him off and moved further away from Cassie.

  ‘Why can’t I see him if you can?’ Cassie asked.

  ‘Because he’s part of my family. At least, I think he might be,’ Froggy added hurriedly, as Tad looked suddenly hopeful. ‘Tad, meet Cassie. Cassie, this is Tad.’ Tad made no acknowledgement until Cassie held out her hand. She seemed disappointed that Tad didn’t take it, even though he had.

  Froggy sat down next to Cassie, taking care to keep as far from the water’s edge as possible. He was in for it now, but he might as well finish what he came for. Then with a bit of luck, he’d never have to come back here again. He fished the newspaper cutting out of his pocket. ‘I’ve found out some stuff about your family,’ he said.