yoga because of a slight twinge in her left knee.
There’s leftover frozen pizza if you’re still hungry. I’m going to bed now.
See you tomorrow.
Elizabeth
ELIZABETH!!!
THERE’S PORRIDGE ON THE STOVE FOR YOU. THERE ARE SIX MILLION WHITE SOCKS IN THE LAUNDRY BASKET IF YOU NEED THEM.
HAVE A NICE DAY.
I’M GOING TO TRY AND TALK CELIA’S MUM INTO CALLING THE POLICE TODAY.
YOUR MUM
Letter from a Complete Stranger
Dear Elizabeth,
I am not Christina. I’m Derek, her boyfriend. She says you know all about me and she says you know about my whistling talent. If you know any agents who are interested in whistling, give us a call.
She asked me to write to you and say that she’s got the flu but she hasn’t forgotten you and she’ll write soon.
Also she asked me to ask if your friend Celia showed up or not. Has she?
Plus she asked me to send you an M&M but I haven’t got any. Sorry. So I’m sending you this blade of grass instead.
BLADE OF GRASS: --
Yours faithfully,
Derek Carmichael
Mum,
I just ran around to Celia’s. Her mum is acting very strange, but she still says she won’t call the police. She is spending most of her time banging on Ben’s drums in the garden. She says it’s releasing the energy that is causing the twinge in her knee.
I’m worried about Celia.
Elizabeth
ELIZABETH,
I AM THINKING ABOUT CALLING THE POLICE MYSELF. EITHER THAT OR FAMILY SERVICES. WHAT’S WRONG WITH THAT WOMAN?
LOVE,
YOUR MUM
PS YOUR FATHER PHONED ME AT WORK YESTERDAY AND SAID HE’S STAYING IN SYDNEY FOR THE NEXT YEAR YOU NEVER TOLD ME THAT.
Dear Christina,
I know you won’t get this right away, if you’re not back at school, but maybe Derek will see it and take it to you? I’m really sorry you have the flu. I hope I didn’t give it to you, through my letter-writing somehow.
I know we haven’t even met each other but I kind of miss you. I don’t know what to do. I feel like I’m the only one who cares about Celia, but I don’t know what I should do about it. Where is she? What if she’s sick or lost or dead or something? What if somebody’s taken her?
I really don’t know what I’d do without her. I don’t feel like doing anything right now.
I’m sorry to go on like this. I don’t know who else to talk to.
Hope you feel better.
Love
Elizabeth
PART
two
‘Byron Bay at dusk – a tropical dream!’ Photograph by Daniel L. Lewisham. Postcard produced by Geelong Graphics.
Lizzy!!!!!
Hi! Wish you were here! I’ve joined a circus !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I’m just sewing up the holes in the tent at the moment, but they say they’ll teach me how to be an acrobat soon. You have to come and see the show some time !!!!!!!!
Miss ya heaps.
Love,
Celia
PS If you see my mother, can you tell her where I am?
Mum,
LOOK AT THE POSTCARD ON THE FRIDGE DOOR UNDERNEATH THE PIG MAGNET.
She’s joined the circus.
I phoned Celia’s mum as soon as I got it.
She said: ‘Well, of course! The circus ! What were we thinking?’
Like Celia had been down at the corner store the whole time and no-one had thought of looking there.
I’m taking Lochie to the park for a run.
See ya
Love,
Elizabeth
ELIZABETH!!!
OF COURSE , THE CIRCUS!I
GUESS IT JUST SUPPED OUR MINDS. CRAZY, HUH?
I’M GLAD CELIA’S OKAY, LIZ. BUT RUNNING AWAY TO JOIN THECIRCUS? DOES SHE THINK SHE’S IN AN ENID BLYTON BOOK? MAYBE I SHOULD PHONE FAMILY SERVICES ANYWAY.
YOUR DAD PHONED ME AGAIN . HE SAYS HE’S GOT A PLACE IN DOUBLE BAY FOR THE NEXT YEAR, BUT HE’S NOT BRINGINGVERONICA OR HER SON. WHY ISN’T HE BRINGING THEM?
DOESN’T VERONICA WORK FOR THE SAME AIRLINE?
ANYWAY, CONGRATULATIONS ON FINDING YOUR FRIEND.
LOTS OF LOVE
YOUR MUM.
Dear Christina,
Guess what? I got a postcard from Celia. She’s ALIVE.
Sony. I hope you’re alive too. Thank you very very much for getting Derek to write to me. That was such a nice thing to