Forest Secrets by David Laing

looking suitably put down. ‘Anyway, I couldn’t care less what photos they take or, for that matter, how they plan to get them. I have an idea of my own that’ll guarantee my winning, and seeing as you promised to help me, you’re part of it.’
    As though she didn’t hear him, Gloria said. ‘Here comes Snook and Jars now. Why don’t you tell them how you’re going to win. They might be interested to hear.’

Chapter 17
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    â€˜W e’re gonna have a cuppa,’ Snook said as soon as he and Jars joined Gloria and Quenton. ‘Want one?’
    â€˜No thanks,’ Quigley said, answering for himself and Gloria. ‘We’ve got other plans.’
    Gloria was clearly confused. Screwing up her face, head tilted, she looked at Quenton. ‘I don’t know anything about plans,’ she said.
    Snook said, ‘Yeah, Quigley. What plans are you talkin’ about?’
    Sticking his chin out defensively, Quenton said, ‘For your information, Gloria and I are going to a place you don’t know about – where you haven’t even been.’ Shrugging her shoulders in a I don’t know what he’s talking about gesture, Gloria looked at me, then at Snook.
    â€˜Oh?’ Snook said. ‘You wouldn’t happen to be goin’ downstream to the lagoon, would you? You keep lookin’ in that direction.’
    â€˜What if I am?’ Quenton said, looking caught out. Me and Gloria are going to the far end of the lagoon. I already know the best way to get there too, so you needn’t bother following me.’
    Snook pointed towards the edge of the camp. ‘Then you’ll be takin’ the old bush road past the camp entrance, down there by those gum trees, the ones that are growin’ practically right across the road.’
    Pouting, Quenton said, ‘So what if I am? Anyway, you can’t come. I thought of it first.’ Signalling for Gloria to follow, he turned and walked towards the old bush road.
    Gloria, whose eyes were on Snook, as though pleading for him to do, or at least say something, didn’t move. She clearly didn’t want to go. ‘Let’s go,’ Quigley called back to her, noticing she wasn’t following. ‘We’ll ride our bikes. ’
    â€˜Okay,’ she said her mouth downcast. ‘I’m coming.’
    I had to restrain myself. I wanted to tell Snook to follow her, to at least say something, but, in his usual fashion, he did nothing. I felt like choking him … again.
    After they’d gone, Snook thumped a hand into his fist. ‘You know, I really do think there’s some sort of conspiracy goin’ on. I was gonna suggest we go to the lagoon this arvo, but now Quigley’s beaten us to it. Plus, that Blowhard fella’s managed to muck up the gorge trip for us … the animals are probably still in their caves and holes in the ground shiverin’ in their boots. I don’t think I’m meant to win that competition.’
    I couldn’t help feeling sorry for him, despite his less than cavalier behaviour with Gloria. ‘Cheer up,’ I said, clapping him on the back. ‘The weekend’s not over yet. You never know what’ll happen next. Something might crop up.’ I picked up the water bucket and jiggled it. ‘It’s empty,’ I said, holding it up for Snook to see. ‘Let’s go fill it up at the creek and when we come back, I’ll make that cuppa. I reckon we could do with one. C’mon, Shadow. You can help.’

Chapter 18
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    O n our way down to the creek, I asked Snook whether he still wanted to go to the lagoon after we’d had our cup of tea.
    â€˜Not if Quigley’s there I don’t,’ he was quick to reply.
    I sighed. It was time to reason with him. ‘Look, Quenton and Gloria were going to the far end of the lagoon. That’s what he told us, but we don’t have to go that far. That