Copyright (c) Emily Rodda 2000
The right of Emily Rodda to be identified as the author of this work has been asserted by her in accordance with the Copyright Amendment (Moral Rights) Act 2000.
Chapter One; Wishes
"I wish I could go to the pool today," sighed Jessie, looking out the Blue Moon kitchen window at the fierce blue sky.
Her mother didn't answer, so Jessie tried again, raising her voice over the sound of the early morning news droning from the radio.
It's going to be really hot again today," she said. I wish you didn't have to go to work, Mum. Then you could take me swimming."
She looked sideways at her mother. But Rosemary still didn't answer. She didn't even seem to be listening. She switched off the radio and started rushing around with a piece of toast in one hand and her car keys in the other, the belt of her nurse's uniform dangling behind her.
Jessie edged towards her. "I wish it wasn't so hot," she complained. "I didn't think it ever got as hot as this in the mountains. I wish we were somewhere cooler. I wish Granny's car was fixed so she could take me to the pool. I wish--"
"I wish I could find my sunglasses!" snapped Rosemary. "And I wish you'd stop complaining and being so selfish, Jessie! Think what other people are going through. These terrible fires..." She bit her lip and turned away.
Jessie went back to the window and frowned at the sky. There wasn't a cloud to be seen. Just haze from the smoke of burning bushland. And the sun, rising higher, beating down on the house, making everything hot, hot, hot.
The clock ticked in the silence of the kitchen.
"At least you don't have to go to school in this heat, Jess," Rosemary said more brightly. "Think yourself lucky you're on holidays."
"Some holiday," grumbled Jessie. "everyone else will be at the pool today, while I'll be stuck here, bored and boiling and--"
"Jessie, that's enough!" Rosemary exploded.
Jessie jumped, then stuck out her bottom lip and sulked. Her mother hardly ever shouted st her, and she didn't like it.
Granny came into the room with her big ginger cat, Flynn, at her heels. She was frowning,and her green eyes looked worried.
"I met Hazel Bright on my walk," she said. "She says that another big fire broke out early this morning--just outside Silvervale."
"So I just heard on the news," Rosemary answered, as she struggled to fasten her belt. "They're fighting it with everything they've got. But people are starting to panic. It's panic that's the real killer, you know. people forget to think when they panic."
She shook her head. "It's going to be a bad day. It's so dry, Mum. Everything's so dry. And this heat--and the wind..."
"Dreadful," nodded Granny. "If only it would rain." She sighed. Flynn twined around her legs.
Rosemary shrugged. "If only," she said. "But wishing won't make it happen, will it?"
She found her sunglasses behind the teapot, put them on, and hurriedly ate the last of her toast. "Well, I'm late," she said. "I'll have to go." She looked seriously at Granny. "Now, Mum, ring me if you're worried about anything, won't you?" she murmured. "I don't like leaving you and jessie here without the car."
