CLANCY OVERELL | Editor | CONTACT
It is not lost on the teachers at South Betoota primary that the Andersen kids have been constantly yawning throughout the school day, after four 9:30pm sheperd’s pie dinners in a row.
The current dysfunctionality of their household has become so obvious that the school principal has gone as far as calling their oldest child to her office for a chat.
“Is everything alright at home, Tilly?”
“Mr Davies said he saw your brothers only had a servo pie and four carrots to share in their lunch box”
Tilly (12) comes clean.
“Mum’s been away for a week with her sisters” she replies.
“Aaah…” said the principal.
“Just how much longer is she away for?” the principal asks
“Just until the weekend” says Tilly.
Their Principal deduces that their current diet and obviously fractured sleeping patterns probably won’t kill these children over the next few days, and sends her back to class.
Surprisingly, their dad Bryan Andersen (41) actually fancies himself as quite a chef – but doesn’t really back himself when it comes to feeding four other humans each night.
“Dad, did this come from the same tray as the pie we had last night?” asks his third-oldest, Lauren.
“Nah, this is a new one!” he says, lying through his teeth. The kids automatically see straight through his white lie.
“Who wants ice cream and milo?” he offers as a distraction.
“You can have dessert before dinner tonight as well”
The youngest three cheer and make a dash for the freezer
“Not long now” he mutters to Tilly.
