The Betrayal of Bindy Mackenzie (19 page)

DIARY ENTRY
Monday, 6 September

I think Toby Mazzerati and I may be drifting apart. We were both in the purple group but today I heard him ask to move to the green group. Why? My only hope is that I did not cause offence this morning, when I tried to tell him about this ‘five food groups float' that I saw at the Orange Blossom Festival. I suppose I thought he might benefit from some clear nutritional information—his weight and so on.

DIARY ENTRY
Sunday, 5 December

Oh Dear Diary,
I have spent the day reading some books by young people's authors, including Judy Blume. I found them in a box of Mum's things that I was unpacking (we moved here just yesterday), and I am now a different person.

It has been a revelation.

I now know exactly what's going to happen to me, physically, in the next few years. (I also know what is going to happen to boys—things called wet dreams and erections. It seems impressive.)

I think I even get what S-E-X
really
is!

I feel very odd, but also strangely elated. At last I have learned the facts of life.

 

DIARY ENTRY
Sunday, 2 January

Dear Diary,
Today may have been a perfect day.

This morning, Mum was out doing a newspaper interview, because she won Business Woman of the Year again, and when she arrived home Dad had a bouquet of flowers waiting for her! It was so sweet.

I spent some time weeding in the front garden, and helped Dad paint the front fence. The people next door have a boat lying face-down in their front garden. Dad and I made some jokes about the boat. Sulphur-crested cockatoos flew about the eucalyptus trees. Mum came out with some sandwiches and freshly squeezed apple juice, and suggested we take a break. So, I sat on the grass and read
An Enquiry Into the Human Mind on the Principles of Common Sense
by Thomas Reid.

Hills District Primary School Talent Quest

FIRST
PRIZE
TO
BINDY
MACKENZIE
For her valiant rendition of Beethoven's Sonata No. 23 in F minor

DIARY ENTRY
Tuesday, 7 March

Today, I presented another submission to Dad that we should get pocket money. I pointed out that, if you give a child a limited amount of spending money, you will help him or her to learn sound financial management.

As usual, Dad said that he only pays out his hard-earned cash if there's something in it for him.

But then he looked at his wrists for a while, and said something amazing. If Anthony or I develop a business proposal—something that might make a profit which we could then share with him—he would consider investing in that business. Our share of the profits would then be our ‘pocket money'.

I am going to work on my first business proposal right now!!!

BUSINESS PROPOSAL
by
BINDY MACKENZIE

To Dad
My proposal is to buy skipping ropes cheaply, and then sell them to the other kids at high prices. So, Dad, I humbly ask you to invest money so that I can buy skipping ropes.

Yours sincerely,
Bindy Mackenzie

Response to Bindy Mackenzie's Skipping Rope Business Proposal:
APPROVED

Please provide regular reports on the progress of this business.

Paul Mackenzie

DIARY ENTRY
Wednesday, 12 April

Reflections on Transformation
Today I was watching some people play hopscotch, play elastics, chat, and skip with the ropes that
I
sold them—and somehow the games and the conversations began to blur and transform before my eyes. They seemed to become quavers, crotchets and semibreves (and I was the composer); next they were harpsichords, violins and trombones (and I was the conductor).

DIARY ENTRY
Saturday, 15 July

Today is my birthday!!! I am now 12 years old.
I got
The Compleat Workes of William Shakespeare,
Beginner French and German CDs (I'm hoping to learn basic French and German before I start at Ashbury next year), and some glitter glue.

Moreover, I'm elated because we're having Party Pies for dinner, and chocolate mousse for dessert!!

HILLS DISTRICT PRIMARY ‘SMILE AWARD'
Presented to
Bindy Mackenzie
‘The Friendliest Girl in Grade 6'