Lin and I stared at each other for a while, and I crossed my hands over my chest.

I can’t believe she betrayed me.

“Get this over with!” I cried irritably, “I want to know where teacher is – you won’t get away with this, Campbell Girl!”

Lin exclaimed in disgust at the name. “Your teacher is somewhere even-”

“You wouldn’t like to be. I know!” I said, exasperated, throwing my hands up in the air.

“Where are we going to play?” Lin asked, turning back to Cricket, who had been watching us with most interested eyes behind his glasses.

“That’ll be revealed the day before you compete,” Cricket reminded us, and then made a kung – fu position, imitating a crane. “You must find your inner essence for the game to be a success.”

I rolled my eyes and stuck out my tongue.

“Don’t leave your mouth hanging open, smelly Jasmine, or a fly might sit in it,” Lin sneered and me, and it took all my self restraint not to launch myself at her.

“Prepare to be crushed, Campbell Girl.”

“Oh, you’re on.”

“I’d like to be.”