Matty and Bill for Keeps Read Online Free PDF Page B

a tin tray attached to the side of the bath for safely holding their snacks as well as a pen and a writing pad for getting ideas down. He and Matty, with help from Donald, had spent a couple of hours on a Saturday afternoon constructing it. The tray worked like one of those old-fashioned metal soap holders you hooked over the side of a bath. It was a bit wobbly, but it didn’t fall off.
    â€˜I suppose the worst that could happen would be for the Farquay-Joneses to take legal action,’ said Matty, swallowing the last of her muffin.
    â€˜Yes,’ said Bill, and then he took a long drink of his fruit juice and placed the glass back onto the tray. ‘But I don’t think they’d do anything that drastic. What worries me is that Isabelle will plan a really dreadful revenge.’
    â€˜Crispin definitely needs protection,’ said Mat.
    â€˜I thought you’d say that,’ said Bill. ‘What should we do?’
    â€˜The first step would be for him to join our club.’
    â€˜But Mat, the club’s just for us!’ said Bill. For the first time in their friendship, Bill felt a painful stab of jealousy. He even wondered if he should suggest they forget about rescuing Crispin – anything but lose the special bond he had with Matty, the dearest, most precious friend he’d ever had.
    â€˜Bill, you’ll always be my best friend,’ said Matty, ‘but friendship needs space to grow, and it needs to be shared with others. Otherwise, it’ll sort of grow stale. If you don’t share what you have, it can die. Humans are made that way.’
    â€˜I just don’t know how a club of three would work, that’s all,’ said Bill, trying not to sound as sour as he felt. ‘I mean, how would we all fit into the Think Tank?’
    â€˜That’s a very good question,’ said Mat, staring into the leafy water.
    â€˜See, it won’t work,’ said Bill. ‘There’s hardly space in here for the two of us.’
    â€˜I believe I have a solution,’ said Mat, suddenly looking up at Bill.
    â€˜Well?’ he said.
    â€˜Here’s how it will work. You and I are club Life Members. Because Crispin is only here for a few weeks, he’ll be an Associate Member. Only Life Members are allowed to meet in the Think Tank. When Associate Members are present, we’ll have meetings in other, secret locations.’
    Bill felt a wave of relief pass over him. He and Mat were still going to be special. He could certainly allow Crispin to be an Associate Member.
    â€˜So when do we let him know he can join?’ asked Bill.
    â€˜Hang on there. He can’t join just like that,’ said Mat, clicking her fingers.
    â€˜He can’t?’
    â€˜Of course not,’ said Mat. ‘He has to pass his tests of courage and endurance.’
    â€˜But he needs our help now,’ said Bill. ‘He doesn’t have time. It took me ages to pass my tests.’
    â€˜We could cut them down from four to three tests,’ said Mat. ‘And keep them as simple as possible.’
    â€˜That’s a start,’ said Bill.
    â€˜Okay, then. Let’s have suggestions,’ said Mat.
    â€˜Well, some sort of physical endurance test,’ said Bill.
    â€˜Got it!’ said Mat. ‘A triathlon.’
    â€˜Good one,’ said Bill. ‘And follow that with eating something disgusting.’
    â€˜He’s just had to do that with oysters,’ said Mat, ‘but maybe we could find something almost as bad.’
    â€˜We need a third test,’ said Bill.
    â€˜Something that needs guts, like when you had to get past that bully, Freckles McCann, with the bag of lollies,’ said Mat.
    â€˜That guy and his gang still hang around the primary school, especially on weekends.’
    â€˜Let’s make use of him again, then,’ said Mat. ‘How about Crispin has to do anything in his power to give Freckles a