Winner of the 14 years age category

The Demise

Yellow doors and stainless steel flash by. My tired reflection in the window as the Tangara comes to a stop at Milsons Point.

It's strange to see empty seats at four o'clock on a school day. No jostling for a spot in the carriage where the good-looking guys go. Too early for commuters. Almost makes for feel grateful for detention.

The vestibule is empty so I sit opposite a woman holding yellow lilies in a Roses Only box. I smile at the contradiction and we make eye contact. But she doesn't smile back. Red watery eyes look right through me. Something is wrong here. I think about moving to another seat.

Her mobile rings: "Hi Yeah, lunch was OK. Dave said if things improve I'll be the first person he'll call I know, I know Talk when you get home."

It's not hard to figure out what's happened. We'd discussed this with Mr Taylor in Business Studies: the meaning of "recession", and how being made redundant wasn't the same as being sacked. No job, nobody's fault, sorry, Global Financial Crisis and all that.

Apparently it was due to banks in America lending to people who couldn't afford the debt. Now banks weren't lending to anyone. I hadn't realised that confidence in the future was relevant when adults spend money.

The night before, Dad had talked about another round of job cuts at work, and his disgust at the way HR had asked his group to lose "a head". You could tell he felt down when a second bottle of wine was opened after dinner.

My parents were watching the news more too. Dad had been getting more agitated than usual at the way politicians weren't answering questions. Seemed no-one had any ideas apart from giving people some of the taxes back so they could spend money at the shops. I wished Mr Rudd had given me some money.

Still, all looks well in my world as I walk through the front gate and receive the usual greeting from the dogs and Mum. Detention is explained away with the line: "Ruby made me talk in class". Mum launches into another tirade against poor innocent Ruby.

The phone rings, and my sister gets there first as usual. She makes no effort to hide her disappointment: "Jess, for you."

It's Sam, one of my best friends at school.

"I've got some bad news." Her voice trails off a bit.

"Lost your mobile again Sammy girl?"

"No. It's about school. I'm leaving at the end of Term 2."

"What!"

I'm not sure what to say next. Something silly comes out about how our hockey team can't afford to loose its best whacker.

"We're moving for Dad's work. Just wanted you to know."

"Where are you going?"

"Um. Perth, somewhere. Dad's over there now for an interview."

"Well, maybe he won't get the job so you'll just have to stay right here!" I can hear myself putting on my chirpy telephone voice.

"No. We'll be going anyway. Gran and Pop live over there, and we can get a nice house if they sell up in Cremorne"

For the second time today I sense tears.

We finish off talking about a farewell dinner at a Crows Nest Italian restaurant we both like.

Upstairs in my bedroom, I can't stop thinking about my friend. Organising a going away present. How to stay in touch.

The front gate creaks and the dogs go crazy as usual. You'd think they'd have learned to shut up when "Big Dog" Dad came home each night.

Dinner time and discussion turns to my news about Sam. Mum has heard some P&F gossip about the family but Dad cuts her off: "This sort of thing is happening all over Sydney." He changes the topic.

Mum looks at him across the table: "Something wrong? You're picking at your food."

"I made Susan redundant today. They told me they wanted her out of the office straight away. She was a mess."

Susan and Dad had worked together for years.

"What did you do?"

"What could I do? I took her out for a long lunch. Didn't even have time to do a collection for a present. So I dashed over to Roses Only at Town Hall. You'll see $100.00 come through on the Visa card."

"At least you were there for her David. She'd appreciate the roses."

"Couldn't even get that bloody right. They'd sold out. Ended up buying her some cacky yellow lilies."

By Jessica Croker