Tuesday

It was a little before 7 am. Jack was in his shirt sleeves, having breakfast (Spinach and tomato omelet with a side of mushrooms on sourdough). He was reading the second page of "The Age". Mr Butler was in the easy chair reading the Epicure section. ("Really Inspector, I remember when kale was a just a green vegetable, not a drink!")

There was a thump, a whump and a clunk, as a full school bag rolled off the last stair. Mr Butler winced, but Jack only looked up, hoping there was not an expansive lap top in that bag.

Jane plonked herself in the seat opposite Jack at the kitchen table. "I can't believe that I have to get up this early" she sighed dramatically, the sports uniform she was wearing looked decidedly crumpled.

"Didn't we have this conversation yesterday?" asked Jack, "Because I do remember an early morning drive to school."

"That was due to House meeting," said Jane with a roll of her eyes, "today's early call is due to the school sports day."

"That would explain the sports uniform" stated Jack, the obvious not escaping him!

"Duhh!" said Jane with heavy sarcasm, but she turned away from Jack to ask "Mr B, any chance of some crumpets this morning?"

"Of course dear" said Mr Butler, putting the yogurt in the fridge, "What would you like on your crumpets this morning?"

"Honey, please" said Jane, before turning to Jack "I need carbs for the energy" she explained. "Sports day!"

"So you said" replied Jack waving his knife, "and what sport will you be playing today?"

"Oh, I'm not playing anything" said Jane. "I'm just part of the team."

"How can you be 'part of the team' but not playing?" asked Jack, hoping that this would be a short answer.

"I am supporting the House Team" said Jane with dignity. "I am not actually planning to raise a sweat at all today."

"But you're in sports uniform?" said Jack, as if that was indicative of playing sport.

Jane sighed "Compulsory" she said simply.

"And you have that… "yellow thing" in your hair!"

Jane sighed again. "It's called a scrunchie, Jack, and normally I would not be seen dead in such a fashion faux pas, but it's my house's colours, so wearing it shows team spirit." She suddenly turned to Mr Butler. "Mr B. Thank you so much for buying the scrunchie for me. I hope it wasn't out of your way?"

"Not at all Dear" replied Mr Butler looking out from behind his paper. "I was going to Chadstone Mall anyway."

Jane smiled at him, but when she turned back to Jack, she looked decidedly unenthusiastic. "I also have to be in sports uniform in case I get called in to fill in a place in a team." Jane poked at her breakfast. "You know, if someone calls in sick" she finally suggested.

"So you may have to raise a sweat after all" said Jack.

"No" said Jane, "I will get out of any emergency fill-in, because I injured my ankle yesterday." Jane chewed her food "Training last night" she finished.

"I don't remember you training?" said Jack. He could not recall Jane leaving the house after dinner, and she was certainly walking without injury then.

"I was training in getting this ankle brace on" said Jane, pulling the said elasticised item out of her shorts pocket. "It was a bit of an effort."

"But you're not injured!" said Jack with bewilderment.

"But I will be if I am called on" said Jane smugly, "So for all intents and purposes, I am ready to participate in House sports day."

Jack leant towards her "That's fraudulent!" he said.

Jane copied his stance "Then aren't I lucky that you're not going to be there to call me out!" she replied. "Anyway, I would wear the brace to school, but it's pretty tight and hard to get on. And then it makes me walk 'funny'."

Jack stared at her perplexed, before shrugging and turning his attention back to his breakfast. "Well, good luck with that, however I think that your level of team commitment is a bit low."

"I am committed to the team Jack" she said. "I am turning up, wearing the colours and cheering them on. I will be there, to keep up the morale. I do know some kids who pull a sick day to avoid even doing that!"

"I don't even want to know about that" said Jack, putting down his knife and fork, "I am glad you support your team, even though I think you are making a poor attempt at it! However, it is none of my business what you get up to at school."

"Exactly" said Jane, "Can I have a lift to school?"

"I don't think you deserve a lift to school after that conversation."

"Please Jack. If I get there early, I'll be able to volunteer to be a bus supervisor for the first years, and relieve a teacher."

"Won't that ruin your 'cool kid' image?" asked Jack.

Jane sighed. "Possibly, but I will gain serious brownie points with the teachers, whose enthusiasm will be even lower than mine."

"Surely, the teachers will be enthusiastic" said Jack.

"Only the sports teachers" said Jane, "The others will be all gloomy; upset at being away from their interactive white boards and lap tops."

Jack shook his head in disbelief. "I think you're making this up" he said.

"Nope" said Jane, "it's all true. But I will score even more kudos by having lots of change for the coffee van." She pulled out a small purse, jingling with coins.

"Why on earth do you have a coffee van at school sports day?" asked Jack

"For the teachers!" replied Jane. "You don't think they'll be able to get through the day without coffee, do you?"

Jack pushed his plate away. "Alright, I'll give you credit for plotting, deception and ruthlessness, but not a ride to school!"

"Oh please, Jack"

"No."

"I can drive you" volunteered Mr Butler. "I'll just go and unlock the garage doors."

"No, No, Mr Butler, It's OK really, Jack will take me." Jane said, before turning back to Jack. "Please Jack, I don't want to bother Mr Butler. You can drive me."

Jack looked from Jane to Mr Butler, who was rummaging in a bowl of keys on the windowsill. "I am sure the garage keys are here somewhere" he muttered.

Jack sighed. "All right Jane, I will drive you to school. But I'd appreciate you not telling me how you avoid responsibility and expenditure of effort while we drive!"

Jane brightened. "Thanks Jack" she said. She turned to Mr Butler. "Thanks Mr B, but Jack's got it covered."

"Of course Dear" said Mr Butler, "I can drive you another day."

Jane smiled sweetly at Mr Butler, and the older man returned to his newspaper. Jane's smile turned to a glare in Jack's direction. "Let's go" she mouthed.

"Right" said Jack, realising he was figuratively missing something. "Yes, let's go."

"Your lunch is on the bench Jane" called Mr Butler.

"Thanks Mr B" said Jane, before she turned to Jack "Oh Jack, can we pick up my friend Catherine on the the way. She lives in Middle Park."

"Middle Park, that's way out of my way!" exclaimed Jack

"Thanks Jack, I told her we'd be there by 7.15" said Jane, as she lead the way out the door.

"Say 'Hello' to Catherine for me" called out Mr Butler, from behind his paper.

Jack took a moment, to gather his thoughts. His main thought was that he was being stitched up royally!