Taking the Chequered Flag by Pam Harvey

see that.’ Gabby was quickly losing patience. Angus took her bag and pulled out the camcorder. ‘What, do you want me to film him?’
    ‘The race officials are just deciding whether he got there within 15 minutes of the end of the race.’
    ‘The purple flag is the dispute flag,’ Hannah added.
    ‘Oh, I get it. He’s lodging a protest. Why didn’t you just say so? It’s the same in swimming, only the flag is…’
    ‘He’s going in,’ Angus said, moving closer to the window.
    An official had waved him inside. E.D. arrived at the door and handed the flag to a big man with a red face and a white moustache. He looked cross and impatient.
    ‘Too late, young fella,’ he said, gruffly. ‘You should have thought of it earlier. Anyway, I’ve spoken to the marshals and they didn’t see anything unusual.’ It was only then that Angusnoticed Mr Proctor and his two children standing together by another door on the far side of the room. E.D. shrugged his shoulders and headed slowly for the door. Hannah and the others joined him.
    ‘As long as the purple flag is available to be taken, a dispute can be heard.’ E.D. froze. It was Mario’s voice that had suddenly broken the silence.
    ‘And who would you be?’ The large man glared at Mario.
    ‘I’m his brother, but I’ve also been on the International Committee of Motorbike Racing and am a current member of the Australian Federation of Motocross Bikes and Bike Racing. I’m aware of the rules. That boy held the purple flag in his hand and you need to hear his complaint.’
    E.D. swallowed. He was about to speak, but Angus suddenly jerked a hand over his mouth.
    ‘Let Mr Theodore decide, E.D. He’s in charge here and he knows the rules better than anyone.’
    Hannah smiled. That was so clever of Mario. She watched Mr Theodore closely as he slowly twirled his white moustache.
    ‘Very well,’ he said, finally. ‘Although Emilio here exceeded the time limit, that flag shouldhave been brought in and it wasn’t. Sit down, Emilio.’ He looked across at Jack Proctor. ‘You’d better come over here and have a seat too, young Jack. It seems that this concerns you.’
    ‘This is an outrage!’ Mr Proctor said angrily. Another crack of thunder shook the building.
    ‘It’ll be an outrage if we all drown because you kept us from getting this affair over and done with,’ Mr Theodore boomed, almost as loud as the thunder. Dragging his feet, Jack sauntered over to a chair and slumped down in it. Two more officials carrying notepads had appeared from a small office above.
    ‘Right, let’s have it.’ Mr Theodore turned to face E.D.
    ‘It’s pretty simple. This guy here kicked out at me and caused me to lose my balance. It took me a while to get my balance back and by the time I did I’d lost at least two places. I came seventh and missed out on the Inter Club Meet next weekend.’
    Hannah, Angus and Gabby edged closer. It was hard to hear with the driving rain beating down on the tin roof overhead. Mr Theodore turned to Jack.
    ‘Well, did you do this?’
    ‘Of course he didn’t,’ Mr Proctor bellowed,striding forward himself. ‘My boy would never do a thing like that. If you ask me—’
    ‘Mr Proctor, I’m not asking you. I’m asking the boy.’ He turned back to Jack. ‘Well?’
    Jack folded his arms and stared straight ahead.
    ‘Of course I didn’t. He’s making it up because he’s not good enough and the only way he reckons he can get to the Inter Club is by cheating.’
    ‘Well,’ Mr Theodore said. ‘That appears to be that. One boy’s word against the other’s. And since we have no evidence there’s nothing to be done about it.’
    ‘Now, Gabby,’ Hannah said, pushing her forward.
    ‘What?’ Gabby said loudly. Suddenly everyone in the room was looking at her.
    ‘You have something to say, Miss?’ Mr Theodore glared at her. Gabby stood there, her mouth opening and closing like a fish.
    ‘She has nothing to say,’ Hannah said, stepping