Alice Henderson On Debut

Forty-eight

Two weeks later...

Saying goodbye to Charlie is one of the hardest things I've had to do. We promised to write and email and call each other over the holidays, and that's pretty much what happened. Over the next two weeks, Charlie emailed me and told me how Ethan's broken arm was recovering, and how her Grandma had decided to spend some time out at the farm with them to help out over Christmas. Charlie said that had made her life a lot easier, especially since her Grandma was a much better cook than she was. It meant that she could help her dad around the farm more, fixing up the fences and getting paddocks ready for agistment (whatever that means). I emailed her back, giving her a running commentary and update on my Test Match with Adam (I'm four for 102 and Adam, who's batting, is three for 98). I've also promised to visit her when I get the chance so she can teach me how to drive. Although I left the driving bit out when I asked Mum and Dad if I could go.

By the time Christmas rolls around, we've been emailing and calling almost every single day, so when Charlie calls me after breakfast Christmas morning, no-one even fights me for the phone.

"Merry Christmas!" Charlie yells when I answer.

"What if it wasn't me who answered?" I ask.

"Well, it's Christmas, so I'd be saying that no matter who answered," Charlie replies.

I laugh. "What did you get?"

"Oh, heaps of stuff. Dad got me a mini-drone and the boys pitched in and bought me a new bat."

"What type?" I ask.

"Gunn and Moore Icon," Charlie replies, clearly happy with the boys' choice.

"Nice."

"I know. What'd you get?"

"Adam got me a couple of pairs of batting inners, so I stop taking his," I reply and Charlie laughs. "And Mum and Dad got me a Stumps magazine subscription, so I don't have to wait for Adam to finish reading his copies."

"Cool," Charlie says. There's a scuffle in the background. "Hey, Alice? Just wait a sec." She puts the phone down and I hear her telling Jack to leave their dad's cologne alone. "Sorry," she says. "I think Jack's got a girlfriend."

"What makes you think that?" I ask.

"He's suddenly starting to take an interest in showering."

We both laugh.

"Hey, so did you open the other one yet?" Charlie asks.

"The one from Jules? Her note said not to until you did. Did you?"

"No. I waited. I've got it sitting on my lap."

We both pause, not knowing what to say next. Then Charlie says, "Ready?"

"Yep. Let's do it."

I rip open the wrapping paper and can hear Charlie doing the same thing. I open the lid of the box inside and gasp. There's a scream on the other end of the phone. "Did you just scream?" I ask.

Charlie laughs. "No. Sean got a new Nerf gun and he keeps shooting Marky in the butt with it."

I laugh. "What did you get?" I ask, not sure if she's looking at the same thing I am.

"What did you get?" Charlie asks, avoiding my question. She's obviously wondering the same thing.

"It's a club cap," I reply.

Charlie lets out a breath. "Me too."

"What does that even mean?" I ask.

"Wait. There's a card in the bottom of the box."

I look in the bottom of my box. Sure enough, there's a small card in an envelope. I open it. "Read yours to me," I say to Charlie.

"You read yours," Charlie replies.

"We'll read them together," I say. "Ready?"

"Dear Charlie," she reads at the same time as I read "Dear Alice."

"My club team needs a wicketkeeper —"

"— allrounder for the Futures League tournament in January. We really hope you can play for us. Details are enclosed—"

"— Give me a call and let me know if you accept or not. Cheers, Jules Livingstone."

Charlie's is almost word-for-word the same as mine, except mine doesn't include the part about needing a wicketkeeper, obviously. "Holy crap, Charlie. We're going to play club cricket!"

There's silence on the other end of the phone. My heart sinks. I totally forgot what Charlie said back at camp about having responsibilities at home and not being able to get away. "Charlie?"

No answer.

"Charlie? Are you still there?"

There's a "Yes!" on the other end of the phone. "I've got Jules Livingstone's phone number!" Charlie gushes.

I laugh. "Now you can ring her and ask for her autograph."

"I won't have to ring her for that. I'll just get it in person," Charlie replies.

"Wait, so, you'll be able to come to Brisbane?"

"I'll have to talk to Dad, but after he saw me play for the Brisbane side at camp, he said that if cricket was what I wanted to do, then we'd find a way."

"That's so awesome, Charlie. I can't believe we'll be playing for the same club in Brisbane!"

"I know. Hey, I have to go. Grandma's calling me. I have to go help with lunch. I'll talk to you tomorrow?"

"Yeah. For sure. Merry Christmas, Charlie."

"Merry Christmas, Alice."

I hang up the phone and look down at the dark blue Norths Rangers cap in my hand. It's not the national league, but playing for Jules' club team for a few weeks could be just the start. I bend the brim a little so it's not so flat and put it on. It feels good. It feels fantastic, actually. I head downstairs where Adam will be setting up the field for our backyard cricket match. Dad will probably be cleaning out the pool, and Mum will be laying on a sun bed reading on her new kindle. I can't wait to show them Jules' letter.