Light and Dark

Chapter 3

Lunch time comes too fast. I am right in the middle of my self portrait when the loud bell interrupts me. My phone buzzes and I quickly check it.

Meet me under the oak tree on the oval. X Milly

I reply

Sure, got exciting news!! xx A

I can't wait to tell Milly about Lenny, he is really kind. About 20 minutes ago I had discovered he lived on a goat farm and loves goats, now I just found out that he is on the same bus as me. I think he lives near me, who knows!

Lunch time for me most days is sitting under the oak tree with Milly or sitting on the grass reading in my "secret spot". I don't know if anyone else knows it's there. It is behind the oval, I do admit that I break a few school rules (eg. jumping the fence which marks the school boundaries!) though it's where I go when I am sad or happy or lost in my own world. I go there to think things over.

Coincidently Milly has made a new friend too. Her name is Abby and she is also new.
Milly told me when we met under the oak tree that she had to go and show her around the school.

I thought that maybe I should look for Lenny and see if he wanted me to show him around the school.

"Annica!" I hear Lenny's voice call just as I am thinking of looking for him.

"Lenny!" I call back as I see him running towards me, a wide grin on his face.

"Can I hang out with you? I haven't really made any other friends yet."

"Sure! I'd be glad to, I can show you around the school if you want." I ask

So next thing I know I'm pointing out the toilets and the gymnasium. It seems like just as we were getting our way around the bell rings again to signal the end of lunch.

"Well I better go now, I'll see you on the bus!" I say

"Alrighty, save me a spot."
................

"Annica!" Mum says as I walk through the front door "how was school?"

"Great thanks, I made a new friend, his name is Lenny. He has just started Year 8."

"That's great, maybe you can have him over one day!" Mum replies.

Once again time passes and before I know it, it's time to move the chickens.
You are probably wondering what exactly "moving the chickens" is so I will explain.

We have made enclosures for the chickens. They go in them at night so they are protected from foxes and they can sleep they also lay their eggs in the nesting boxing in the enclosure. Then, in the morning we open the door of the pen and they can wander out whenever they please. We leave the pen on a new patch of grass and the hatch door open so they can decide whether to go in or out.
So everyday we move them to a fresh patch of grass. It's a really good system.

After that I change my school clothes and get ready for bed. I sometimes sleep outside in a cubby that we built, it's half in a tree. I love climbing up.
I'll explain more later, I have to go bottle feed the kids!

Back again, bottle feeding is one of my favourite jobs on the farm. The baby goats are so gorgeous!!

Anyway, I am sleeping out in my cubby house tonight. I built it with Mum and Dad last year.
There is a window which I can close at night to keep it warmer and I can open it when I get too hot. I love sitting up in my cubby and drawing, sometimes the dogs curl up with me (if I'm lucky and sneak them in!!)

I'm lying on my mattress and I can hear the rain starting to fall, pitter patter, pitter patter..... the sound increases as the night goes on. I lie awake for about an hour listening to the night sounds.

I hear the occasional owl hoot or dog bark and then I fall soundly asleep after a busy day at school and working on the farm.