From the Parrot's Mouth
Originally published in Beyond Centuari June 2009
Mr Cook whirls away from the blackboard, grey hair poking at right angles from his head. His popping eyes meet mine.
'What did I say? Tanya?'
The black Labrador at his feet growls.
I stare back. He picks on me. He always does. Doesn't like girls, especially ones that giggle.
'I was only asking Annelise for a pencil.'
Annelise's face is red and the hand she clamps over her mouth lets through snorting noises.
I elbow her in the side, hard, mouthing shut up.
She hisses, 'Ow!' and goes on snorting. Her two budgies, Mo and Bo, flutter to the edge of her desk and sit there, chattering.
Mr Cook ignores the budgies and keeps his eyes firmly on me. I'm really in for it now.
'That is three times I've had to remind y
