Page 22 of Something Real with the Sea Monster
“That’s fantastic. We’re all booked out, and I was chatting to Mr. Nguyen over at Bella Vista, and he said everyone who has any type of accommodation is saying the same.”
Mrs. Wang nods. “Things are definitely picking up again. About time too. I know everyone’s been doing it tough post-COVID. Make sure you hand these out for me, won’t you?”
“Of course.”
“And tell your mom and dad I said hello.”
“Will do. Thanks, Lin. You have a lovely day.”
I smile to myself. It’s been ages since I’ve been to the show. Might be a nice day out. Nostalgic. I can still remember when we were kids, my brothers and I would get really competitive over all the sideshow games. It was always tightest between Luke and me. Poor Noah was too little to compete with us, and the day usually ended with a tempter tantrum. Until he grew a little and owned us both!
Still smiling, I grab my phone and send a text to Luke.
Jack: what are you and Mia up to this weekend? We should all head to the show tomorrow for a few hours. Mrs. Wang says it’s going to be a good one this year.
As an afterthought, I add: maybe Tegan would like to come too
Then I almost delete it. I’m being pretty obvious. Only it would be rude not to invite her. Just being polite. In the end, I leave it.
I’m ridiculously excited when Luke messages back a few hours later.Luke: sounds like a plan. Meet you there at midday? And Tegan says she’d love to
****
As we walk past the Pluck a Duck stall, Luke nudges me. “Shame Noah’s not here so we can’t beat him again for old times’ sake.”
I laugh. “Ah, I seem to remember him handing both of us our asses that last year.”
“No. I’ve got no memory of that. Couldn’t be.”
Tegan and Mia are walking in front of us, and Tegan turns to me and Luke. “Oh, you think you’re pretty good at this, huh? Better put your money where your mouth is.” Stepping up to the stall, she hands the vendor some cash. “Come on, Mia. You want to play too?”
Mia shakes her head. “I’ll only waste your money. I’m no good at these games.”
A moment later, the guy gives Tegan a pole with a hook on the end. “You get three tries. Good luck.” Then he swirls his hand through the water and the little plastic ducks splash around happily.
Tegan looks at the ducks for a minute. Then she lines up the pole and makes a swipe for the little matching hook screwed into the center of one duck. The duck tips and her hook slides free. She curses.
I laugh and can’t help laughing even harder when she shoots me a mock-angry look. “Oh you think you’re going to do so much better, don’t you?”
I shrug. “You still haven’t caught anything.”
With a huff, she turns back to the ducks, and this time she scoops one out of the water. When the vendor plucks it from her pole, he turns it over so we can read the message on the bottom. Zero points. “Bad luck. You’ve got one more try.”
The adorable way her mouth drops open in outrage is only beaten by the way she grips the pole and refocuses her attention. I love a girl who isn’t afraid to get a bit competitive. “Got you!” Tegan scoops a second duck from the water.
The vendor checks this one. “Five points.” He gestures to the bottom row of prizes hung on a panel of fencing behind him. “Pick your prize.”
Tegan rolls her eyes. “Let’s see how well you do.”
I manage fifteen points, landing all three ducks, and she slaps me playfully. “Show off. Come on. What else can we play? This place is like a blast from the past. Makes me think of going to the Easter Show with my nan.”
“Are you saying I remind you of your nan?”
Luke and Mia have wandered off hand in hand, distracted by a stall selling fresh donuts. So we’re alone, and I can’t say I mind it.
Tegan snorts. “You’re too hairy. Though in her eighties, my nan was rocking a bit of a beard. Nothing as good as yours.”
“Do you like my beard? I was thinking of shaving it off.”
