Hat Trick! (32 page)

In 1926, Clarrie Grimmett—playing for South Australia against New South Wales—had 394 runs scored from his bowling. This is the most runs scored off a bowler during a match in Australia, however his haul of 10 wickets (4 for 192 in the first innings and 6 for 202 in the second) was a great achievement.

ONCE
Ally began retelling her adventure, the words poured out like a torrent. She was still wound up by all the excitement.

‘Guys, I was so nervous I thought Phillip Smale would hear my heart pounding, but I walked straight up to him and said G’day, because my disguise was pretty good and I knew I had to act like I was meant to be there.’

‘And he didn’t recognise you?’ I asked as we picked our way carefully along the dim footpath.

‘No. He just said, “Don’t be ridiculous. I’m not taking any children. This isn’t a game, you know.”’ Ally smiled. ‘But one thing I didn’t tell you guys, is that I’d typed up a fake letter from my “Dad”, saying why he’d sent me along in his place.’

‘Hey, that’s a good idea,’ Georgie said.

‘Smale didn’t want to look at it at first,’ Ally continued, ‘but when he read how much money my
“Dad” was offering, he decided it was okay for me to go—as long as I stayed in the background and didn’t bug him.

‘Then he got us all together, sitting on a big couch. There were two other men there, as well as a lady. Smale had this big screen set up, and he gave a speech, saying why we were all there. He’d asked one of the guys, Rick, along because he was a businessman; the other guy, Colin, because he’d worked in theatre and stuff; and the lady, Davina, because she knew the media.’

‘And what about Mr Walters—Jessica’s dad?’ I asked. ‘Why had he been chosen?’

‘Apparently he’s a really well-known guy in banking. I didn’t really know what Smale was talking about, so I just nodded and played along.

‘Anyway, then he showed a bit of the Tied Test on the big screen. The others didn’t know what was going on, and they were pretty annoyed that he’d got them all there just to show them an old cricket match. That’s when I slipped away to leave you the note—I said I was going to the toilet but I don’t think Smale heard me, because he was too busy trying to calm everyone down.

‘When I got back he asked us all to hold hands while he fiddled around with a
Wisden
and an old scorecard. It must have been that magic one, Toby, because the next thing I knew we were in Brisbane in 1960.’

‘What happened when you got there?’ Georgie said. ‘How did they all react?’

‘Well, at first they didn’t realise that they’d gone back in time. They thought it was some kind of virtual reality. Then as it started to sink in, the guy called Rick started to freak out—he looked really frightened and turned white. Davina stayed calm, but the other guy, Colin, was so excited, until Smale told him they wouldn’t be staying to watch one of the most famous overs ever played.’

‘I bet he didn’t like that,’ I murmured.

‘Smale tried to tell us all to stay put, but Colin ignored him and ran off into the crowd because he didn’t want to leave. Smale spent about 20 minutes trying to find him, but he’d disappeared.

‘And that was it. The rest of us came back and I got out of there as quickly as I could…Oh, I almost forgot! Toby, you know that Master Blaster thing you guys played down at the shopping centre?’ Ally added, as we reached her front gate.

‘The virtual cricket?’ I said.

‘Yeah, well you were right, Toby. It was there in the clubrooms. I reckon Phillip Smale has bought that too.’

‘Bought or stolen?’ Georgie said, looking at me. ‘And what about Alistair? Have you rung yet?’

‘Yep, I finally got through, but the person who answered said he’s out of town for the next few days and they’re not sure when he’s due back.’

‘So, it’s just as we thought,’ Georgie said. ‘Smale’s going to open up a business.’

‘Yeah, and it looks like he’s gathering a few people around him to help out,’ Ally said.

‘Like that Davina woman?’ Georgie asked.

‘Yep.’

‘But not Colin,’ I muttered.

‘Do you reckon Smale will go back and rescue him?’ Georgie said.

‘He was going to leave Scott, remember?’ I answered. ‘I wouldn’t trust Phillip Smale.’

‘I agree,’ said Ally. ‘We get the scorecard now and we kill this once and for all.’

Georgie and I looked at each other.

‘How long have we got before Colin is in serious trouble?’ I asked.

Georgie looked at her watch. ‘An hour? Hour and a half, tops.’

‘Okay,’ I said, my mind racing. ‘I’m going to get Jim and his car. You two, go home and grab your mobiles, then come back here and let me know what’s happening. Stay down, but watch to see if Colin returns. Keep an eye on the cars, okay?’

‘Have you got yours?’ Ally asked, as I hopped onto my bike.

‘My what?’ I called.

‘Your mobile!’

I pulled it out of my pocket and held it up behind me as I sped off.

Ten minutes later, just as I pulled up in front of Jim’s, it rang.

‘Anything happening?’ I asked.

‘Toby, all the cars have gone and the lights are all out,’ Georgie said. ‘We reckon he’s packed up and gone.’

‘He must have gone home. I’m going to head over there with Jim. We’ve got to nail this. Especially as that guy is stuck in Brisbane and I can’t go back to get him because I’ve been there before.’

‘That’s why we need the scorecard, isn’t it?’ Georgie said.

‘Yep. It’s gonna have to be you, Georgie.’

‘Okay, we’ll meet you over there—’

‘No! You guys stay low. I’ll get back to you.’

‘Hey,’ Georgie cried, sounding annoyed. ‘Since when—’

‘Georgie. Just me and Jim, alright?’ There was a pause. ‘George?’

‘Yeah, fine,’ she mumbled.

Jim was delighted to see me and even more delighted to be getting back into Pixie, which was surprising.

‘I thought you agreed it was a good idea to take a break from all this till the game was over,’ I said, as we reversed out of his garage.

‘Indeed I did, Toby. Indeed I did. But
carpe diem
, my boy.’

‘
Carpe diem?
’

‘Seize the day, Toby. Strike while the iron’s hot.’ Jim was raving on but he was genuinely excited. I just hoped not too excited—Jim was having adventures
that most people his age wouldn’t want to know about. ‘At least your mind isn’t stuck on the game,’ he added.

That was one good spin on all this, I realised.

As we drove to Smale’s place I outlined the evening’s events.

‘So, this Colin chap is still at large in Brisbane?’ Jim said, frowning.

I nodded.

‘Dear oh dear,’ he murmured, accelerating a little.

‘I bet I know whose car that is,’ I said, pointing to one parked outside Smale’s house as we drew up to the kerb.

‘One of Ally’s travelling partners?’ Jim suggested.

I nodded.

‘I think we should simply take the direct approach, Toby. Straight to the front door.’

I followed a few paces behind Jim as he marched up the path and knocked on the door.

‘Who is it?’ a woman’s voice called, a moment later.

‘Jim Oldfield.’

‘Are you a friend of Phillip’s?’ There was no sign of the front door being opened. Maybe this was Davina. I took out my phone and dialled Ally, moving a few steps away from the house.

‘Ally? What was that Davina lady wearing?’ I whispered into the phone.

‘Um, grey trousers and a white shirt. Why?’

‘There’s a lady in Smale’s house and, hang on…’

Jim was walking back towards me. ‘It appears our friend Phillip is out for the evening,’ he said.

‘I’ll call you back, Ally,’ I said, snapping the phone closed. ‘Now what?’

‘I’m not exactly sure,’ Jim replied.

We both turned at the sound of shouting.

‘Let’s try the back,’ I urged, setting off around the side of the house. ‘The door’s open,’ I whispered to Jim, who arrived a few moments after me. I eased it open further and then we were inside.

Jim put a finger to his lips as we snuck into the kitchen. There were voices coming from the next room—Smale’s and the woman’s.

‘A partnership,’ Smale was pleading. ‘You don’t know how to operate the scorecard anyway,’ he continued. Their voices stopped. Jim and I stepped cautiously back, away from the door. Suddenly it burst open. Phillip Smale stood there, glaring at us.

‘You interfering old man,’ he growled, moving towards Jim. I stepped in front of him, reaching into my pocket at the same time. ‘Get out of my way, you snivelling little boy!’ He pushed me to one side. I opened the phone, carefully felt for the second number along, and pressed it. It was the autodial number for Ally’s mobile.

‘Davina, call the police,’ Smale shouted through the kitchen door.

‘Yes, do that,’ Jim said. ‘I’m sure they will assist Toby and me to get back what is rightfully ours.’

‘What are you raving on about?’ Smale said.

Jim was standing upright and perfectly at ease beside the table. ‘The scorecard, of course,’ he replied firmly, not taking his eyes off Smale.

My heart was racing, and, I guessed, despite his outward calm, so was Jim’s.

‘Jim, maybe we should just leave,’ I whispered.

‘Not this time, sonny,’ Smale said.

‘Are you a friend of Jessica’s?’ Davina asked, coming to the door, a phone in her hand.

‘Who?’

‘You heard me.’

‘I don’t know any Jessica,’ I said, trying to sound calm.

‘Just ring the bloody police,’ Smale said, his anger rising.

‘I’m not sure that’s such a good idea,’ she replied, eyeing Jim closely. ‘What do you know about this scorecard?’

‘Quite a bit,’ Jim said. ‘It was sent to me, you see—’

‘Don’t listen to this senile old fool,’ Smale hissed, grabbing the phone from her. ‘He’s talking through his hat.’

‘Might I sit down, please?’ Jim asked, pulling out a chair.

‘Of course you may.’ Davina sat down too.

‘Oh, for heaven’s sake,’ cried Phillip. ‘Do you want me to do tea and biscuits?’

Jim looked up and smiled sweetly. ‘What a splendid idea, Phillip. It’s just like old times.’

Smale, looking furious, stormed out of the room.

‘Old times?’ Davina asked.

Jim explained his connection with Phillip at the MCC library and how Smale had come to know about the scorecard. Davina, who had formally introduced herself, got up and made us all a drink while Jim continued his story.

‘Jim, perhaps we should go,’ I said to him as he gratefully sipped the tea Davina had given him.

Suddenly the house was plunged into darkness. Jim and I reached out at the same time, grabbing hold of each other. I heard Davina shoot up like a cat and dart into the hallway.

‘Phillip?’ she called.

‘Let’s go, Jim,’ I said, guiding him towards the back door.

‘Toby, we need that scorecard. I feel that now is our best chance.’ His voice was desperate and he seemed to be breathing heavily.

‘Then I’ll go. You head outside and wait in Pixie.’

‘No!’ he said firmly. ‘Come on. This is it.’

So we crept back through the kitchen, groping for the doorway leading to the hall. Then the lights came back on. We searched the house, but there was so sign of Smale.

‘Toby?’ a voice called from outside. It was Georgie.

I ran to the front door and opened it to find Georgie and Ally standing there.

‘Is everything okay?’ Ally asked. ‘We just got this garbled sort of—’

‘Oh, yeah,’ I said, pulling out my mobile and switching it off. ‘Things hotted up in there for a moment so I opened up the line.’

We headed back inside. Davina and Jim were in a small room, obviously Smale’s study, staring at a row of
Wisden
s.

‘He’s gone,’ Jim sighed, turning as we entered.

‘What the—?’ Davina said, her eyes narrowing.

‘Oh,’ Ally said, giving her a small wave. ‘Hi!’

‘Jessica! So, you two
do
know each other.’ She looked at me coldly.

I ignored her. ‘Jim, we have another problem,’ I said, turning to him.

‘Oh?’ He picked up a 1960
Wisden
from the desk. But as he leafed through it, it dropped onto the desk in front of him, caught the edge and fell to the floor. I couldn’t believe that Jim would drop a book, especially a cricket book—and a
Wisden
at that.

One moment he was standing there, the next he’d fallen to his knees and his face had gone deathly white.

‘Toby!’ Georgie gasped, rushing forwards.

‘Jim?’ I whispered, panicking, dropping down beside him.

‘Stand back,’ Davina said, crisply. ‘Jessica, call triple zero. You,’ she said, nodding at Georgie, ‘run out and check the house number. Toby, get some water. Quickly!’

As we all left the room my mind was blank. I knew Jim wasn’t well, but his collapse was such a shock.

Georgie was giving Ally the address for the ambulance as I returned with a glass of water.

‘Leave it there,’ Davina said, not turning round. ‘Now off you go.’

‘But I can’t—’

‘I said off you go. I know what I’m doing.’

‘But what’s happened?’ I asked, as I stared at Jim lying on the floor.

‘It’s hard to say. Perhaps he’s had a mild heart attack, or he may just have fainted. His breathing’s quite steady and his pulse is rapid and fluttery but not weak. That’s a good sign. But I suggest you leave now, before the cavalry arrives.’

‘The cavalry?’ Georgie asked from the doorway.

‘I’m expecting the ambulance
and
the police,’ she said. Gently she settled a cushion beneath Jim’s head.

‘Come on,’ said Ally, glancing at her watch. ‘We’re way over time.’

I walked over to Jim and gave his old hand a squeeze while Davina fussed with something nearby. Suddenly I felt a firm hand grip my wrist; I looked at his face. One eye gleamed and the other winked. I felt another squeeze and then he let go as Davina turned back to him.

I hurried out of the house after Ally and Georgie, telling them that I thought Jim was just fine.

‘What?’ Georgie said.

‘I think he was just making sure we were out of the way when the police came. Smale’s onto us big time.’

‘I’d rather arrive home on my own feet than in the back of a police car,’ Ally said, starting to run.