The Gum Tree Gang and the Mystery at Mount Tamborine

By Marie Seltenrych

Krystal, Tracey, Kevin and Matthew must find a way to solve the problem of the closing down of their school convention at Mount Tamborine. Using her detective-like skills, Krystal finds out a secret and shares it with Tracey. The pair must venture on a quest to find out more, and who is behind a plot to shut them down.
Facing opposition and a dangerous venture into unknown areas that are now out of bounds, the pair will manage to find out some information but unfortunately there are crooks around to stop them.
It is up to Kevin and Matthew to find their sisters and look for clues. Going down into dark places is not much fun, but these pair are braver than a mouse facing ten cats! Will they find their sisters in time, and what has happened while they are thinking about the problem? Who can they trust? Their teacher seems a bit odd...and their friends think they are stupid.
Their quest will take them deep into an amazing place where they will meet strange characters and need to be very brave and try to stay calm and find help before it is too late and their parents have a fit!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Marie Seltenrych
• Release date: Oct 20, 2010
• ISBN: 9781458101136

Marie Seltenrych

I recently purchased new Photoshop Software, Elements 2021 and a second-hand Cintiq (Wacom). The picture on my profile is the first picture completed using these software products.I had unpublished this version of Runaway Princesses because of Kindle Unlimited rules (publish with Amazon only for 90 days and renew etc). I have now finished this process for the moment.It is very difficult for Indie authors to nagitate through all the pros and cons of different publishers online. We are buffeted from Billy to Jack, as the saying goes.Whilst I was creating the above picture (from scratch) I was disappointed to find my Elements Photoshop software crashing continually. It was another hurdle to overcome as an Indie Author who also creates her own book covers. I truly love to create my book covers and sometimes I have a book cover idea way before I have even begun to write the story nowadays. It must be the magic of creation and seeing the shapes and form evolving from simply scratching away with my Intuos pro pen. It is magical for me.I have also been trying to format the digital edition so that it displays correctly in EPub products, Kindle, and other places. Unfortunately these products have not cooperated together over the years, making life a little more disturbing for Indie digital artists.I hope it is a better product now to enjoy. As an Indie author and graphic artist, I do all this just for you, dear reader and those I call my followers. Thank you. MarieYou can find out more about my ideology on my webpage: https://www.runawayprincesses.com/contactOn a flight from Abu Dhabi to Manchester recently, I was asked by one of the attendants "How are you so intelligent?"[We had enjoyed a short chat during the landing process (near exits).]I replied, "I am old!", and laughed. With my 70th birthday pending, it was the first answer that came to my head. However, it was a bit of a shock to hear someone asking me such a thing as a stranger perceiving me as "so intelligent!"When we consider our lives, experiences, opportunities and setbacks, and take time out to ponder our way forward, we must see that our lives are a living organism shaping from day to day, adding and subtracting items of interest and value, to bring about the sum total of our comprehended being.Looking back over my long existence, I have learned a lot, and possibly forgotten more than I have retained. After all, our brain is a organic lump of matter that somehow cannot exist by itself for very long! It is like a director of an orchestra who has nobody to play any instrument. It is a useless effort to try and get one sound out without something responding. So while our life blood courses through our veins and our brain is working its work, we must try our best to get our thoughts out there into the world, scattered and maybe sometimes picked up by one or two persons who have a moment of inspiration, joy or contemplation.So, we work our work and let our creative juices flow as the saying goes. But it is more than creativity, it is contemplation, consideration, discussion, activity. Our whole lives are involved in our work as we dedicate ourselves to our task in hand.I have included some of the fringe accolades that I happened upon during my course of living, tokens of achievement that were always unexpected and appreciated. These are not listed to gain anything in particular, just a matter of fact that happened along the way of my life. The last thing I want is jealousy. Reader, never be jealous of another person's abilities, because your ability is equally astonishing when you ponder your own life and how it has evolved over the years you are alive. Jealousy is not a topic we often hear about, yet it is a lurking destructive possibility for any human being. We can all get caught up in forms of jealousy and must guard ourselves diligently on this matter. "I can do that!" or "That is nothing", are vital signs that we must learn to put down and change.However, a thought comes to mind that makes jealousy have another side to its coin. God is a jealous God and will not stand to have His creations bow to another. In other words, everything should be in its rightful place. God is justified in that God has the final say for all persons, even for those who cannot believe God even exists. (Theoretical, rational and knowledge based evidences)So, when you read my words and sometimes even pay a small price to download a copy, please be merciful and gracious. I have limited abilities, time and thoughts, but if I can share some with you for your benefit or for the benefit of those who listen to you, then I have done my job in this life. So, I write stories and dictate to my fingers what to say and do, to bring a new experience, a joy, a revelation or refocus to you, dear reader. To me, you are the first person I think about, yet I do not know your name. You are the one I want to hug, give encouragement and to show love, yet I have no idea who you really are, except that you exist and are present.If you leave my site with one new thought, fashion or change of plan for the better, then I am satisfied. Thank you for stopping by and for reading this message. One day we will meet in the future (Eternity) and everything shall be made clearer then. Until we meet, take care and remember to use your talents relentlessly while you are able, and never succumb to jealousy.[Marie has achieved many accolades for her volunteer work in her capacity as author, writer, teacher, and services to her community over many years. These are some of her noted achievements and awards:Certificate in Acting 1969; Bachelor of Ministries 2004.Experience: Stage production; Acting; Public speaking (motivational); Preaching (over 10 years); Worship leading (7 years);Teaching Religious Education (4 years); home schooling children (7 years); Editor of Newsletter (Slacks Creek 3/4) (7 years);Awards: Certification of Appreciation Cooinda House (2012); Certificate of Recognition Australian Blood Service (2012), signed by Jennifer Williams CEO; Certificate of Appreciation: Humpybong State School, (signed by Sam Knowles (Principal) and Ros Smith (President P & C) 2006. Certificate of Appreciation Underwood Neighbourhood Watch (2003) Silver Lapel Badge Award Slacks Creek 3/4 signedby Alex F. Erwin, Superintendent 1380, (2002). Merit Award, Writers World 1999. Certificate of Appreciation, Redeemer Lutheran college Middle School, 1999 (signed by J. Winslour (Head of Middle School) and W.J. Basrow (Librarian); Avon Team Leader Certificate 1999 (signed by Dianne Walsh District Sales Manager) ]Irish born Australian, Marie Seltenrych [nee Rafferty] began writing and drawing at age 4. During Summer holidays in her beloved Leixlip, she drew pictures and made comics with her beloved siblings, Dolores, Liam, Josephine and Raymond. Her youngest brother, Keith, (17 years her junior) has inspired her to write and has been one of her biggest encouragers. From crayon and pencil scribbles, she has gained skills and confidences to write, draw and publish short stories, children's stories, adult romance titles, an adult mystery, a play, a book on prophecy, a book on "How to do online publishing", various devotionals. Marie is also a poet (much to some people's surprise), and is always busy helping someone along the publishing journey. Her belief is definitely, "Love your readers"; "practice makes perfect;" "Pick up the pieces and move on" and "get the talent honed".Contact Marie [e-mail]

Book preview

The Gum Tree Gang

and the

Mystery at Mount Tamborine

By

E Marie Seltenrych (Marie Seltenrych)

Revised 12.22.2010

Copyright E Marie Seltenrych, 2010,

Published at Smashwords

(common name, Marie Seltenrych)

Artwork: Copyright E Marie Seltenrych, 2010

Other titles by this author available at Smashwords

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~~~~Chapter One~~~~

Kings, Koalas, Kangaroos and Speckies

Checkmate, Kevin said triumphantly, as he placed his queen in the space occupied by Matthew’s pawn, Yes! he said, holding back his winning smile. He didn’t want to seem too proud.

I’m sick of this game, Matthew responded, feeling annoyed that Kevin had won the four games they had played. Let’s do something else. He pushed the chessboard towards Kevin, and stared out the window of the bus.We’re at Beenleigh already, he called out. They were getting closer to their final destination and two weeks of fun.

Grades four, five and six were all bobbing along in two busses, to Mount Tamborine. They were all looking forward to attending the Annual Schools’ Fellowship; lots of fun, food, adventure and more! Matthew dreamed of doing things that were termed adventure max: visiting the thunderbird park; enjoying the adventure park; a day-trip to one of the fabulous theme parks; most of all the games with friends they met up with last year; and the footie! His heart leapt just thinking about football. He had heard from his mate James that the coach was watching him. He knew he had a good chance of being chosen in the AFL Kids First ‘Dragon Lizard’ team. He could play footie all day and night, if he didn’t have to sleep. How could he concentrate on a ‘boring’ game like chess? They could play it any time; and he rarely ever won. He watched an eagle fly over the trees and his heart leapt! He could see himself, leaping to get that ball; the greatest ‘Speckie’ of all time! ‘Matt Roberts leaps to victory…’ In his vision he was hanging so high that he could see the treetops. Yes! he yelled.

Kevin felt puzzled at his friend’s response to the game he just lost! Why would Matthew be overjoyed to lose the game, he wondered?

Anyone else want a game? Kevin turned around to ask the question. He enjoyed playing chess, mainly because he usually won. He played chess with his dad, Mr Cormack, who had shown him good strategies for winning. His sister Krystal and Matthew’s sister, Tracey, were sitting in the seat behind Kevin and Matthew.

I wouldn’t mind a game later, Tracey replied, glancing between the two seats. The two girls were playing scrabble.

You can have a game if you want Trace, Krystal said. Every time she put a word down in the little spaces Tracey corrected her spelling, making her grit her teeth: to stop her temper rising. Tracey had brought a small dictionary with her, just to prove her case. Krystal felt really fed up with the game, and Tracey was winning by heaps too. She wanted to think about all the fun things they would do this week. She wondered if they could go on a night walk, even an adventure: maybe looking for wild life. Anything was better than scrabble, she thought, fuming like there was fire inside her body.

"Let’s play I spy," Tracey suggested. She could feel Krystal’s temper rising and see her face going red, and didn’t want to upset her best friend before their big adventure even began.

Okay. Krystal’s eyes grew bright. She had just spotted a koala. Something beginning with ‘k’, she said quickly.

Krystal? Tracey said immediately.

Kevin, Matthew piped up.

No, Krystal said, her voice brightening as they continued to guess what she was could see. It’s gone! she added, a koala.

"But if it’s gone, it can’t be I spy…, can it?"

In our game it can, because we’re moving so fast, Krystal asserted.

Mm…, not sure about that rule, Krystal, piped Tiffany, two seats back. Several others agreed with Krystal.

Wow, Tracey said. Wish I had seen it…! Can I have a go now?

She thought she had seen a lizard. L, something beginning with l", she called out.

Lake, Krystal said quickly.

Light, Kevin called out.

Leopard, Matthew said.

Where? some of the children joined in, twisting their heads to find a leopard.

Sorry, Matthew said, laughing, I meant dingo.

Dingo is: ‘d’, anyway, there are no real leopards around here, Tracey corrected him.

There used to be… Matthew retorted.

Dreamworld…! Krystal said, twisting her neck to see the rides.

E someone called out.

Exit: fifty-seven Kevin replied.

A short time later, Krystal undid her seatbelt as the bus slowed down at the top of the hill, and yelled out, Mount Tamborine and fun, fun, fun!

Miss White stood up at the front of the bus and turned around. Her face was like a scowling stone. Her voice was harsh. Children, please do not shout. Miss Cormack, sit down and put your seatbelt on immediately, she said, staring at Krystal.

Yes, Miss White. Krystal sat down and quickly clipped her seatbelt back on. Don’t know why she’s called Miss White. She has black hair. Krystal whispered to Tracey.

Please Krystal, don’t say that. It’s mean.

She’s mean. Miss Meany.

Hey, maybe she’s going to marry Mister Black. That would work out, Tracey said in a low voice. They giggled quietly behind their hands.

As the children climbed down from the bus, Krystal called to Tracey, Let’s go quickly and grab a top-up.

Let’s go, Tracey said as she rushed to the girls’ dormitories, in the brick building.

Next to a window, Krystal yelled…, Yikes! she called out as she tripped up on something and fell on the gravel.

Why are you running? Shouting and running are not permitted here, Miss White stepped aside and waited for Krystal to get off the ground. You hurt my ankle, she said, bending down to rub herself. Krystal realized Miss White had put her foot out to trip her up. She was startled.

Sorry Miss, I was…

You can stand here until I say so. Her eyes seemed like black crows’ eyes as they pierced into Krystal’s eyes, making her feel prickles on her skin, like little worms