Belly Flop (14 page)

Then he backed away, though that could have been because Gran had just taken a drag on her cigarette and a mouthful of army biscuit.

Dad's just been explaining to everyone about government flood relief payments and how they're always more than drought relief.

While everyone was cheering, Dad put his arm round me.

He bent down and I thought it was for another hug.

It wasn't just for that.

‘He's quite a bloke,' whispered Dad, ‘your Doug.'

Why am I telling you all this, Doug?

Because in the helicopter I finally understood what you've been up to.

It started when I apologised to Carla.

‘You were right,' I said. ‘It was angel bull.'

She grinned, and her eyes were softer and happier than I'd ever seen.

‘No, it wasn't,' she said.

And she opened the plastic bag from the boat and showed me the old notebook.

Her dad's notebook.

Carla wouldn't show me what was in it, but every time she peeked inside her eyes glowed softer so I reckon it must have been about her.

‘If Doug hadn't made it rain so much,' she said quietly, ‘I'd never have found this.'

I stared at her while everything sank in.

Carla hugged the notebook and smiled again.

I've had a guardian angel all along,' she said.

So have I, Doug.

He's over there with his arm round Mum.

Thank you.