Pep Squad Read Online Free PDF

They drove through an archway in the wall, following the red-and-white painted sign to the car park.
    â€˜Well, here we are,’ said Dr Leclair as he pulled into a parking space. ‘Looks like most of the parents are saying their farewells here. Do you want me to carry your suitcase for you?’
    Jess scanned the car park quickly. It was fairly empty. The few kids who were there were waving goodbye to their parents and walking over to the abbey alone.
    â€˜No. I’ll be fine,’ said Jess, hopping out to grab her suitcase from the boot.
    Both her parents got out of the car.
    â€˜I know it’s school policy for you to stay here over mid-term,’ began her mother, ‘but if you’re really missing us–’
    â€˜I’ll be OK, Mum. Honestly,’ said Jess, as a couple of boys, so alike they had to be brothers, walked past.
    â€˜I’ll miss you so much,’ wailed Mrs Leclair, flinging her arms around her daughter.
    The boys looked over at Jess and grinned.
    â€˜Mum,’ hissed Jess, ‘you’re embarrassing me!’
    â€˜Sorry,’ said Mrs Leclair, taking a step back and sniffing. ‘Now I know they said once a week, but you know you can call us any time if you need to.’
    â€˜Yes, Mum,’ said Jess. ‘Are you sure you’ll be OK?’
    Mrs Leclair nodded as she wiped another tear away.
    â€˜Mum. It’s only boarding school. It’s not like I’m joining the army or anything,’ said Jess, wondering whether the army would be less gruelling than what awaited her in agent training. ‘I’ll be back at the end of term for sure.’
    â€˜I know,’ said Mrs Leclair. ‘But you’re my baby …’
    â€˜Mum!’ groaned Jess, worried that her mother would make a scene.
    â€˜Alright. I’m all right,’ said Mrs Leclair, dabbing at her nose with a tissue. ‘Take care, darling.’
    â€˜I will, Mum,’ said Jess.
    â€˜Work hard, ma petite , and enjoy yourself,’ said Dr Leclair, kissing Jess on the cheek.
    â€˜I will, Dad.’
    She pulled up the retractable handle of her suitcase and dragged it through the car park, following the tiny trickle of students making their way towards the building. As she reached the door, she turned and waved at her parents, who were still standing by the boot of the car. Then, with a growing sense of anticipation, she stepped through the front door, dumped her bag with the others in the foyer and walked into the auditorium.
    The stage was semi-circular and three sections of seats descended towards it. Jess did a quick calculation and worked out there was seating for at least two hundred people, although less than fifty of the seats were taken and all of the students were seated in the first few rows. Jess chose to sit in the fourth row. As she walked towards the centre, she immediately regretted her decision, as the boys she’d seen in the car park were sitting in the middle of the row. Her first urge was to sit down immediately and pretend she hadn’t seen them, but then she thought that wasn’t the sort of thing a gutsy secret agent would do and decided to sit right next to them.
    â€˜Hi,’ she said. ‘I’m Jess.’
    â€˜I’m Ben,’ said the boy seated beside her, offering his hand.
    â€˜And I’m Matt,’ said the boy next to him, reaching across his brother to shake hands with Jess.
    Now that she was up close to them, she was sure they were twins. Both were blond-haired and quite tanned, with broad Australian accents. The only distinguishing factor between them was muscle mass, with Matt looking like Ben on steroids.
    â€˜Before you ask,’ said Ben, ‘yes, we’re identical twins and, yes, we’re from Australia.’
    â€˜Before you ask, yes, that was my mum and, yes, she’s always like that,’ replied Jess.
    â€˜Nice to know she cares,’ said Matt.
    â€˜That’s