Flytrap ....an excerpt
Nancy is worried. she walks out of the school yard holding her mother's hand tight. Her mum hurries on ahead with a million things on her mind, as usual.
Nancy's worried. Her mum races up the front steps of their house, rushes to the telephone, presses the play button on the answering machine, slices an apple, boots up the computer, spreads butter on the fresh bread....listening to the phone messages and cutting vegimite fingers...types in a password, warms the milk, logs on to the internet, stirring the mug of Milo very fast.
Nancy eats her afternooon tea alone.
Worried.
At school, Nancy's class is learning about plants.
A few days ago, Nancy's teacher, Miss Susan, asked if anyone knew what a Venus Flytrap was.
Nancy's hand shot up. 'It's a plant that eats flies.'
'Very good, Nancy.' Miss Susan smiled back and Nancy felt as if the sun had risen over the horizon just to shine on her.
'Does anyone have a Venus Flytrap at home?'
Nancy watched, her sunflower-face lifted towards her teacher. Miss Susan was searching the room for someone extra special. With a mind of its own, Nancy's hand shot straight up again. Again, Miss Susan's sunny smile shone down on her, just her.
'Could you bring it in to show the rest of the class, Nancy?'
The whole class looked across at her.
Nancy nodded, trying not to explode into a million beams of light. She felt very special.
Each morning, for three days in a row, Nancy told Miss Susan she was very sorry but she'd forgotten to bring her Venus Flytrap to school. Each afternoon she promised to bring it the next day.
This afternoon before school finished, Miss Susan wrote a note in red pen on the back of Nancy's hand - V F T.
'Dont forget!' said Miss Susan, the shadow of a cloud drifting across one corner of her bright shiny face.
The school bell rang.
Nancy raced out to find her mum.
She was very worried.
The truth is - she doesnt have a Venus Flytrap!
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