Playing Up Read Online Free PDF Page B

non-regulation headgear?’ Davey asked.
    â€˜Only Mo Clouter’s most prized possession,’ Kevin explained with glee.
    â€˜Does he know yet?’ Sunil asked.
    â€˜Any minute now.’ Kevin nodded in the direction of the quadrangle. Mo and his entourage were approaching.
    â€˜Like my new hat, Clouter?’ Kevin called.
    It took a moment for Mo to register what Kevin was talking about. After all, his brain did run at a slower speed than most. Then his pimply face erupted in a scowl. He wasn’t happy.
    â€˜You punk, that’s my hat!’ he yelled. He raced over to where Kevin stood.
    â€˜Correction. My hat now.’
    Mo lunged at Kevin, but was too slow for Kevin’s fast fielding reflexes. With lightning feet, Kevin darted to one side and easily dodged Mo’s outstretched hand.
    â€˜You’re going down!’ Mo thundered.
    â€˜Over here!’ Kevin taunted Mo by tipping his cap at him and scurrying in circles around him.
    Mo was lunging at him over and over again. He kept missing by a fraction.
    â€˜Look, that’s my lucky hat!’ Mo growled. ‘Give it here!’
    â€˜Have to catch me first,’ Kevin said, sprinting away.
    Mo growled and lumbered after Kevin, chasing him around the quad. After five rounds, Mo bent over and paused to get his breath back.
    â€˜What’s wrong, Mo?’ Davey asked.
    Mo straightened up and shook a fist at Davey.
    â€˜I’ll get it back, don’t you worry,’ Mo snarled.
    â€˜If you say so,’ Davey shot back, smiling.
    Mo’s face had turned purple. He was absolutely livid with rage. ‘You’d better keep an eye out – all of you!’ he sputtered.
    He took off after Kevin again, but it was useless – Kevin was far too fast for him.
    Sunil and George had tears in their eyes they were laughing so hard. But Davey had other thoughts on his mind besides Mo. As far as he was concerned, Mudge had declared war in the same way that Mo had. It was game on.
    He was even more determined to get his bat back. The question was, where would Mudge hide it next?

CHAPTER 10
THE BIG SWINDLE
    Davey, Sunil, George and Kevin had arrived at school early again.
    The idea to look in the school sports store room had been Davey’s. ‘The perfect place to hide a bat is among heaps of other cricket bats,’ he said.
    â€˜It’s worth a shot,’ George agreed.
    But when they got there, the door to the store room was locked firmly with a large rusty padlock.
    Davey gave it a tug, but the padlock held fast. ‘So much for that idea,’ he said with a sigh.
    Sunil wandered around looking for a way in, but there was only one small window covered by metal bars. ‘The toilets are part of the same building,’ he said. ‘Could we get in through them?’
    Davey shrugged. ‘Let’s check it out.’
    They went into the boys’ toilets. There was a small window high above the sink that led directly into the storage room.
    â€˜You’re a genius!’ George gave Sunil a friendly punch.
    â€˜Better believe it,’ Sunil agreed.
    George studied the small opening. ‘Reckon you could squeeze through?’ He looked at Davey.
    Davey nodded.
    â€˜I’ll hoist you up.’ George bent his knees and locked his hands together. Davey put one foot on George’s hands and his friend gave him a lift.
    â€˜Oof!’ George was rewarded with a knee in the mouth.
    â€˜Woah!’ Davey wavered wildly but managed to steady himself. He reached for the ledge. ‘Got it!’
    â€˜Hurry up! You’re heavier than I thought,’ George muttered.
    â€˜Nearly there,’ Davey said through gritted teeth. He opened the tiny window a little further and, with some effort, managed to squeeze his head and his shoulders through the small opening. He was about to pull himself through, when . . .
    â€˜Someone’s coming,’ George hissed.