Medical Mission Read Online Free PDF Page B

from the boot to just under the knee. ‘Lost lots of blood. Them flying docs came and got me. They saved me life.’ The stool creaked as she leaned forward. ‘I’d be delighted to help ’em any way I can.’
    Delighted? Josh smiled. The word didn’t seem right coming from Ratchet.
    â€˜You think that’s funny?’ Ratchet looked like she was about to pounce on Josh.
    Josh’s smile evaporated as he quickly shook his head.
    â€˜Now,’ continued Ratchet. ‘Any idea what youse want to show?’
    Josh shrugged.
    â€˜What about The Flying Doctors ?’ suggested Pete.
    Everyone turned to look at him.
    â€˜It’s a TV show from the 80s,’ he continued. ‘I haven’t seen the series, but my mum is always going on about it. She reckons it was great because it was set in the outback. Showed things how they really were.’ No one said anything, so Pete blundered on. ‘Anyway, it’s about the RFDS. And I know it’s TV not film. But maybe we could show the first episode, since it was movie-length.’
    â€˜Don’t be daft!’ roared Ratchet, getting to her feet and towering over the kids. She put her hands on her hips. Pete tried to disappear into the couch cushions. ‘Ya can’t just show ep one. That programstarted off as a mini-series. Three movie-length eps. All telling the entire story. You show one –’ she pointed an enormous finger at Pete ‘– you show all three.’ She crossed her arms over her chest, tools jangling in the belt. ‘And don’t think I don’t know who you are.’ She glared at Pete and he shrunk even further down into the couch. ‘You come here every Friday with your brother in that rundown Holden pickup.’
    Pete breathed a sigh of relief and nodded.
    Ratchet’s gaze narrowed. ‘And every Saturday night you sneak in here and sit behind the third tree on the right, from the back fence.’ She paused.
    Pete’s face went white.
    â€˜Without paying!’
    Pete tensed, looking as if he was about to run.
    â€˜But you’re not in a car. So you don’t get no sound. I figure since you’re that desperate for the silver screen, it couldn’t hurt to leave you be.’
    The tension drained from Pete’s body.
    Ratchet stabbed an enormous finger in Pete’s direction. ‘But don’t think I don’t know!’
    Pete nodded hurriedly.
    â€˜Um.’ Sally raised her hand as if she were in class. ‘Won’t all three episodes be too long?’
    â€˜Work with me on this,’ said Ratchet. ‘We’ll do the screenings over three consecutive nights. We can advertise to the tourists. Make sure to let everyoneknow how it’s raising money for the RFDS.’ Ratchet’s eyes were glowing now. ‘It’s gonna take a bit of work to set up. Need to contact Crawford’s and get permission.’
    â€˜What’s Crawford’s?’ asked Sally.
    â€˜Holey moley, people!’ roared Ratchet. ‘Don’t youse kids know anything? Crawford Productions is the company that made The Flying Doctors .’
    â€˜I knew that,’ Pete piped up.
    â€˜Yeah, well, I know someone who works there,’ said Ratchet, voice dropping a little. ‘I can get him to speed things along and get us permission real quick. The fact we ain’t making money for ourselves makes it easier.’ The corners of Ratchet’s mouth twinged again. ‘You just leave it to me.’ Then her mouth hardened again. ‘But youkids need to do everything else. You need to make posters. You need to advertise. And you need to get food to sell on the screening nights. I’m providing the venue but I ain’t providing the snacks. You have to do that. Got it?’
    Josh, Pete and Sally nodded.

    â€˜She’s real tired,’ said Dad as he handed the phone to Josh. ‘So make it quick.’
    Josh grasped