Screw Loose Read Online Free PDF Page A

had turned up.
    Zeynep looked around. ‘Georgia’s away again,’ she said and sighed.
    â€˜All right SRC , we’re starting.’ Chelsea’s voice rose above the noise. Her nose sounded a little congested.
    The room fell silent. Someone threw a Twistie.
    â€˜As you are no doubt aware, before I came to Vistaview I attended a very prestigious private girls’ school not far from here, Mary Magdalene, so I am able to make comparisons between this school and my old one.’
    There were a few sniggers.
    â€˜While this school is so much better in many ways, it does have a few failings, and my dream is to turn this place into a school much like the one I once attended.’
    â€˜Why’d they chuck you out, Chelsea?’ one of the boys up the back asked.
    â€˜That’s a long story, Mark. Just let’s say they didn’t have a sense of humour. But I want to talk about this school. I think this place is badly in need of a rowing team!’
    She looked about the room, smiling brightly and assessing support.
    â€˜Why?’ someone asked.
    â€˜Because if this school had a rowing team it would be more prestigious. And that helps you get better jobs and meet prestigious people.’
    â€˜Crap!’
    â€˜Prestigious people like you?’
    â€˜What are you on, Chelsea?’
    She disregarded them all and went on. ‘I am able to get a couple of second-hand boats from my father’s old school. He has contacts.’
    â€˜How gay is rowing?’ asked a Year 9 boy.
    Joshua had learnt not to show any reaction, but Chelsea shot a glance at him then turned aggressively to the boy.
    â€˜Rowing is not gay. That is so totally not appropriate. Perhaps you’re gay yourself?’ She stared him into embarrassment and went on: ‘So I’ll need to recruit eight very fit senior boys.’
    Another mumbled voice from the back: ‘Fit gay boys.’
    Her eyes fired piercing beams of contempt towards the back of the room and her tone changed. She started to speak very slowly and precisely. ‘I’d like to select them as soon as possible. And we are going to have to train three nights a week if we want to win the Head of the River. I’m not prepared to drive myself into the ground if people aren’t going to commit themselves.’
    When Chelsea spoke her head was always lifted a little high, her chin tilted forward. She reminded Joshua of a dog defending a gate.
    â€˜I’ve spent some time observing rowing teams from my balcony,’ she continued.
    Joshua had seen Chelsea’s telescope strategically aimed at the river winding below her enormous house.
    â€˜Great idea,’ a boy sitting near him murmured.
    â€˜The river’s polluted,’ a girl interrupted.
    â€˜We are talking about social prestige!’ Chelsea snapped. ‘If St Ethelred’s can have rowing teams, and even my ghastly old school has them, so can we!’
    â€˜Marry me, Chelsea!’ someone called out.
    Chelsea went on. ‘All those in favour of the school having a rowing team?’ She looked around. Three-quarters of the hands went up, but someone called out, ‘It’s still a crap idea.’
    â€˜Good. It’s done. I will see Mr Dunn after the meeting. Next item: social occasions between my old school and this one. The girls at my old school are looking for a broader social life, and some of the boys at St Ethelred’s would love to meet girls at this school. So it is my opinion that the three schools should get together for social activities.’
    Cheers and table-banging. There was always a belief that students at other schools were more attractive than the ones at Vistaview. But that wasn’t true, in Joshua’s opinion: Angelo Tarano went to Vistaview.
    â€˜I’d like to speak to Mr Dunn about this too, but I need your support.’
    Very loud cheering and rhythmic desk-hammering broke out.
    â€˜Silence, please!