FIRE

By Tessa Harvey

       Ellie was remembering how hard Buddy and Eddy had fought for her. She told the two teachers "Dad said it was my fault mum got hurt as she was looking for me and the burnt branch fell on her and hurt her ribs."
    Polly waited, sensing there was more. 
    "Buddy said we didn't lose much of our hay crop and truckers were haulin' some interstate for us round here. And we got food. So I shouldn't have to look after baby Joe at night."
    Buddy had looked up at his father, angrily. Eddy, scuffing his toes in the dirt had also held his ground. Ellie had twisted a piece of her shirt round and round, scared.
    "You can pay for a lady to look after us, " Buddy had argued, "Mum will be back here in a day or two."
    Then he had said something startling. "Ellie has dreams, dad. They are important. She can't miss school."
    How did Buddy know that? The little girl had felt as though some of the icy fear around her heart was melting.

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