Mik and Milly

By Fiona Holmwood

Mik and Milly follows the story of Mik, the coolest kid at Gumnut International Boarding and Day College, who finds himself facing a daunting challenge after his best friend Milly receives devastating news from her parents on the other side of the world. As mid-year school holidays approach, Mik decides to take Milly on a road trip of a lifetime to the Australian outback. However, an unexpected event at an abandoned mine on his mate’s sheep farm alters their journey forever.

As they return to school, Mik and Milly look forward to their annual International Food Festival. The student planning committee decides the festival’s entertainment, and they choose to pit the teachers against the students for the first time ever. But as they prepare for the festival, Mik and Milly begin to wonder if their beef stroganoff secret recipe may be too much for the intimidating Principal Povlov to handle.

Will Mik and Milly’s friendship withstand the challenges they face throughout the year, or will their experiences change the way they feel about each other forever? Mik and Milly is a heartwarming and engaging tale that takes readers on a journey through the highs and lows of adolescence, friendship, and growing up.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Austin Macauley Publishers
• Release date: Nov 10, 2023
• ISBN: 9781035847150

Fiona Holmwood

Fiona Holmwood is a former Doctor of Education candidate, university and secondary school teacher. She’s a specialist social emotional learning professional who has supported a number of teenagers in Australia, of which many are her inspiration to becoming a writer. Fiona lives in the Southern Highlands of New South Wales with her partner and three daughters. Mik and Milly is her first book.

Book preview

About the Author

Fiona Holmwood is a former Doctor of Education candidate, university and secondary school teacher. She’s a specialist social emotional learning professional who has supported a number of teenagers in Australia, of which many are her inspiration to becoming a writer. Fiona lives in the Southern Highlands of New South Wales with her partner and three daughters. Mik and Milly is her first book.

Dedication

My encouraging partner and rock, Mark, who always believes in me.

My beautiful daughters, Peggy, Skye and Gabby.

Awe-inspiring students, Angus and Jamila, and lifelong readers, Esther and Elvis.

Copyright Information ©

Fiona Holmwood 2023

The right of Fiona Holmwood to be identified as author of this work has been asserted by the author in accordance with sections 77 and 78 of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior permission of the publishers.

Any person who commits any unauthorised act in relation to this publication may be liable to criminal prosecution and civil claims for damages.

A CIP catalogue record for this title is available from the British Library.

ISBN 9781035847143 (Paperback)

ISBN 9781035847150 (ePub e-book)

www.austinmacauley.com

First Published 2023

Austin Macauley Publishers Ltd®

1 Canada Square

Canary Wharf

London

E14 5AA

Chapter 1

School Pool

Mik was an advocate for everything and everyone at Gumnut International Boarding and Day College. He often posted himself on Instagram, usually at human rights protests. So of course, he was the perfect pick, thought Principal Povlov, to talk about littering at Friday’s assembly.

Definitely Mik didn’t agree with being the choice of his principal’s disciplinary Russian voice. In fact, it would be one of the most embarrassing things he’d ever done in his 14 years of life – and he’d tell Mr Povlov! But first, he’d needed to eat his delicious chicken chips out of his lunch box.

Mik bravely approached Mr Povlov.

‘Excuse me, Mr Povlov, (he always tried to be extremely polite), I don’t think I’m the right person for this litter talk as I’m trying to change my image around school as a cool kid and more…well…more relaxed, if you know what I mean.’

Mr Povlov sternly looked down at him with his enormous black hairy, scary eyebrows and growled, ‘Mikhail Novak, if you want to be cool at school, do this job for me and I’ll build the school a pool!’

Mik tried to tidy his curly blond hair and slowly moved into the centre of the old wooden stage…the kids were wildly chanting, ‘Pool for school, thanks to Mik being so cool!’

‘HOLY CRAP,’ Mr Povlov shouted. He forgot he’d left the loud speaker on in his office and the whole school heard his joke about a new pool!

No joke Mr Povlov, thought Mik.

Mik spoke clearly, one hand in his oversized shorts pocket and the other on the microphone.

‘Good morning, fellow students, I’m here to say…HEY LITTERING, NO WAY!’

And with