FIRE 

By Tessa Harvey

    Bart Roberts was angry with his sons. How dare they speak to him like that? Arrogance, he thought.

    It was a daughter's job to look after things at home if a mother could not. What use were dreams? Especially for girls. Stuff and nonsense!

    He should just have talked to Ellie on her own. Of course she would have obeyed him, seeing it was her responsibility, her duty even. 

    Susan would be home soon. Thank goodness. Bart stomped off to check his corn to make sure there were no bugs. He hated bugs - and smart boys.

    AT SCHOOL

    Colleen looked round Polly's welcoming bright classroom. 

    "Where does little baby Joe sleep?" she asked as casually as possible. "Dad and mum's room," the child answered. "I have to go now and fetch Sean and Elise or we will miss the bus." She left the adults happily, unaware of the unease in their minds.