The Rubbish One

Sweezus gets off the train at Emu Plains. Now all he has to do is get to Blaxland. It's quite a walk. He passes a field of cows, and then McDonald's. Now he just has to get up the hill.

It's quite a hill. These are the Lower Blue Mountains. Steep with hairpin bends. By the time he reaches the top he has eaten all the chocolate in one of the packages. And he has a new dilemma.

He's lost Pastor Moon's address. But the children's address is on their Easter package, written in black pen by Mrs Hume.

It is dusk when he arrives at their house, and rings the doorbell.

Daddy! cries Fish, running to open the door.

It isn't Daddy. It is Sweezus, bearing packages.

Hello! says Sweezus. You must be Fish. Is Mummy home?

Mummy comes to the door, with a frying pan.

Hello, says Mummy. Can I help you?

I'm Arthur's friend, says Sweezus. I've brought some Easter presents for the children. From Mrs Hume.

Ah yes, says Mummy. She phoned and said you would be coming. Butterfly! Come and see what grandma's sent you!

Butterfly and Fish stare at the packages. One prettily wrapped, the other torn.

Which one's mine, says Butterfly?

This one, says Sweezus, handing her the good one.

Fish bursts into tears.

It's for you as well, says Sweezus quickly. This one's a rubbish one. For the bin.

Grandma wouldn't send a rubbish one, says Butterfly.

Alright, says Sweezus. I ate some of the chocolate. Sorry.  You guys will have to share.

The children disappear upstairs with the package. Mummy shakes her head.

There'll be trouble, she says. Come in, we're having sausages.

No thanks, says Sweezus, I have to rescue Arthur. He's at Pastor Moon's. Do you know where he lives?

Last house before the forest, says Mummy. He's a strange man that one. But I wouldn't worry too much about Arthur. He likes it there.

No kidding? says Sweezus. How do you......?

But the door has shut before him, cutting off the sound of children fighting, somewhere upstairs.