Sophia and Charlie and the In-Betweens

By Fiona Ware and Samantha Zaleski

It's the final year of primary school for Sophia and Charlie at Warm Gully State School. They are friends for life.

But Charlie has important news, which throws Sophia a curve ball. How can she get through Year 6 knowing what she knows now?

Join Sophia and Charlie as they meet new friends - some very cool and sassy seniors and a

• Language: English
• Publisher: FW Publishing
• Release date: Aug 30, 2021
• ISBN: 9780648108368

Fiona Ware

Fiona Ware is an Arts Therapist and Educator. She has worked for over 30 years in the community endeavouring to assist children, teenagers, adults, seniors and families to live productive and fulfilling lives. She lives in Brisbane and has three sons, three grandchildren and two sisters. Like the characters in her books, she is passionate about social justice for all and pursuing her hopes and dreams.For more information visit www.fionaware.com.au

Book preview

Sophia and Charlie and the In-Betweens

Sophia and Charlie and the In-Betweens

Fiona Ware

Illustrated by

Samantha Zaleski

FW Publishing

FW Publishing

23/35 Hamilton Rd, Moorooka, Queensland, 4105, Australia

fionaware.com.au

Published August 2021

Copyright © Fiona Ware 2021

This book is copyright. Apart from fair dealing for the purposes of private study, research, criticism and review as permitted under the Copyright Act, no part of this book may be reproduced by any process without the express permission of the publisher.

Ribbon image © Madlen via Bigstockphoto.com

ISBN

Paperback: 978-0-6481083-5-1

Epub: 978-0-6481083-6-8

Hardback: 978-0-6481083-7-5

Cataloguing-in-Publication entry is available from the National Library of Australia

http://catalogue.nla.gov.au

Managing editor: Belinda Pollard

Illustrator: Samantha Zaleski

Vellum flower icon Created with Vellum

This book has been inspired by and dedicated to my darling dad, Robert, who taught me how to tell a good story and actively listen to people with compassion and kindness.

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A big mention to Louie, Magdalena and Circe, my beautiful grandchildren who bring our family so much joy and love and remind me of what is really important – and that is making time for each other.

Contents

1. The new school year

2. Who’s this Mrs Clementine?

3. New little kids on the block!

4. Settling into the role and new things to come

5. A new plan in the works!

6. Warm Gully Retirement Village

7. Great minds think alike!

8. Prisha

9. Miss Rosa has a secret

10. A scenic trip down memory lane

11. Stepping out with the preppies!

12. Visiting our friend Prisha

13. Dressed up and ready to put on a show!

14. It’s all about family

15. It’s the seniors’ time to shine!

16. Two in a million

17. Magic can come out of the blue

18. What a year it has been!

19. For Godfrey

20. The year comes to an end

About the Author

1

The new school year

Sophia sat in her favourite spot at Warm Gully State School, under the paperbark tree, with her new book, Guinness World Records . It was the first day of Term 1. She read about a woman who had broken the record for growing her fingernails for over twenty-five years. How in the world would that woman wash herself without shredding her skin?

She was just thinking that a sponge on a stick might work, when some new preppies rushed in the gate.

They wore brightly coloured, oversized backpacks – clanking with water bottles, lunch boxes and pencil cases – that made them look even smaller than they were. All different types of unicorns and superheroes hung off the sides. Some appeared excited to be at ‘big school’, but there were a few teary faces and little hands holding on tightly to their mums and dads.

A woman with very long fingernails, in a bathtub, washing herself with a sponge on a stick.

She was just thinking that a sponge on a stick might work…

Year 6, she thought to herself. The last year I will be here. It felt a little sad to think of leaving such familiar territory, but Sophia dismissed it as she checked her bag to see if she had remembered what was important – her lunch box. Everything was there: olives, feta cheese, tomatoes, pita bread, and strawberries. She also had a present for her best friend, Charlie. Sophia was keen to hear about his family trip to the Gold Coast and hoped he liked what she had for him. She had pondered long and hard about what to get and felt pleased with her decision.

Sophia had met Charlie under the paperbark at the beginning of last year. He had been new to the school, sitting quietly, staring off into space and minding his business, like a neat little present ready for the right person to come along and open – and be totally surprised by his gifts of gentle kindness, respectful ways and amazing talent.

‘Sophia! Sophia!’

As she heard her name, she dropped the book on the bench and ran to the gate. She threw her arms around Charlie, who had gotten used to this overgenerous display of affection. Sophia stepped back and said, ‘Wow, Charlie, you’ve got a beaut suntan and your hair is even blonder than before. You look great, by the way.’

‘Thanks Sophia, and you look like you have grown at least two centimetres.’

‘I am so glad to see you. I’ve missed you heaps.’

‘I’ve missed you too, but I must say I had an awesome holiday at the beach.’ Charlie often thought that Sophia’s face looked like a bowl of beautiful flowers, blooming with colours and fresh buds of unbridled enthusiasm. Something to be admired and savoured. He appreciated her unique style and strong opinions about what she thought was right and wrong in the world, and how she was not afraid to say what was on her mind.

Three young children carrying oversized backpacks

They wore brightly coloured, oversized backpacks…

‘I really want to hear about your holiday, but first things first. Let’s go sit under our tree, because I have a surprise for you,’ said Sophia.

As they sat down, one of the preppies ran past and crashed heavily to the ground, sliding along on the gravel. His backpack flew off like a missile.

‘Uh-oh,’ said Charlie.

‘Goodness, look at his poor little legs,’ said Sophia without thinking.

The preppie was trying hard not to cry, until he heard what Sophia said. He looked at his bloodied knees and the floodgates opened.

Charlie picked him up, dusted him off, and grabbed his pack. Sophia bent down and inspected the damage.

‘So, what’s your name?’ said Charlie with all the kindness he could muster.

‘Maaaaarco,’ said the preppie, who was crying very loudly.

Sophia gently put her hand on his shoulder, leaned in close and said, ‘Well, Mr Marco, lucky for you, I came prepared. I have Band-Aids and some wipes in my bag, so we can fix those knees.’

‘My knees hurt! Don’t touch them,’ said Marco, trying to push her away.

Sophia was about to be doctor when Marco’s mum came rushing up.

‘Oh Marco, I have told you so often to take your time,’ said his mum.

‘I-I was, but I slipped on those darn rocks,’ said Marco.

‘I’m like that too,’ said Sophia to Marco’s mum. ‘Always in a rush. See, I am often covered in Band-Aids.’ She pointed to her forearms, then handed his mum the Band-Aids and wipes.

‘Thank you for helping my Marco,’ said his mum. ‘He can be impatient.’

‘All good. I know all about being impatient as well, don’t I, Charlie?’ said Sophia.

‘Just a smidge,’ said Charlie, smiling.

‘Maybe I’ll see you around,’ said Marco through his tears.

‘The first day is always a bit challenging,’ said Charlie.

‘I’ll be on the lookout to see how those knees are,’ said Sophia, waving goodbye. ‘Now, where were we before the drama? Oh yes, close your eyes and put out your hands.’ Charlie patiently closed his eyes. She placed the neatly wrapped present and said, ‘Okay, open.’

‘Oh my, a present for me?’ As only Charlie could, he graciously opened it, being careful not to rip the paper.

‘It’s a belated Christmas present,’ she said.

Nowadays, Sophia tried to be more patient but, honestly, that paper would be ripped into a hundred pieces and on the ground by now if it were her. There in front of him was a hand-drawn cheetah on a homemade canvas bag with his name stitched along the bottom, which Sophia had created (with the help of her mum).

‘This is incredibly beautiful, Sophia.’

‘You’re welcome, Charlie. I drew a cheetah because, like them, you are so light and fast on your feet when you dance. Have a look inside.’

Charlie pulled out a splendid picture book on the life of Rudolf Nureyev, the famous Russian ballet dancer. He gently touched the book with his hand, trying to feel close to the power of the dancer’s dynamic talent. ‘Mum has told me a little about how amazing he was,