A Hole in the Hedge by Grace Casselman

Author:Grace Casselman
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Dundurn

On Saturday, the autumn air felt extra-crisp. Kaitlin shivered slightly and pulled her jean jacket over her purple T-shirt. Keeping one toe on the porch, she pushed the porch swing slightly back and forth, lingering over a persistent creak. She glanced at her watch. Tracy and her mother were late, as usual.

“Kaitlin!” boomed a deep voice from the next yard. She dashed over to Mr. Drayson. She peered at the big man over the hedge. “Hi, Mr. Drayson!”

“Hey, Katie,” he said as he tossed a chocolate bar in her direction over the hedge.

Kaitlin quickly dropped the strap of her backpack and caught the candy. “That was too heavy in my pocket,” he said. “Will you do me a favour and take it off my hands?”

Kaitlin cocked her head at him, grinning. “Anything to help you out. I know how heavy chocolate can get.”

He laughed. “That's what my wife says, anyhow.” Kaitlin liked the big deep sound of this good-natured man. Mr. and Mrs. Drayson are such nice people, Kaitlin thought suddenly to herself. It was unfortunate that her arch-enemy happened to be their son.

Reaching over the hedge, Mr. Drayson plucked a quarter out of the air, just above Kaitlin's ear. She shook her head at him, laughing. “Silly.”

Mr. Drayson pretended to look offended. “Silly!” he exclaimed gruffly. “That's what you think. You'll change your tune when I pull a rabbit out of your ear!”

Kaitlin considered that. She peered over the hedge, but no furry animals were in sight. “Do it!” she challenged.

He cleared his throat importantly and reached out his arm, poised to demonstrate this superior magic trick. But then he paused, and his look turned sheepish. He dropped his arm and pursed his lips ruefully. “Can I get back to you on that?”

Kaitlin giggled.

Laughing, he slipped the quarter back into his shirt pocket. He eyed her backpack curiously. “So what are you up to this fine day, hmm? It's not a school day, you know.”

She made a face. “I wouldn't get confused about something like that! I'm going to visit my friend Tracy at her mom's new house.” She slipped her newly acquired chocolate bar into a pocket of her backpack.

Mr. Drayson nodded solemnly. “It's good to have friends,” he said, simply.

“Like my dad?” asked Kaitlin.

He smiled at her. “Sure. Your dad is a great guy.”

“I'm sure he likes you too,” she assured him seriously.

“I'm glad to hear that, Katie. I'd be most disturbed if it were otherwise.” He gestured with a wave of his hand towards her driveway. “I think your friend is here,” he said. “Have fun, eh, kiddo?”

“Thanks for the chocolate bar! Bye!” Kaitlin called out to Mr. Drayson as she dashed back to her porch. She pulled opened the door and yelled, “They're here, bye!”

There was some sort of muffled response, so she pulled the door shut and ran to jump in the back seat of the car. Jane drew back a curtain and waved as the car pulled out of the driveway. Kaitlin pretended not to see, but Tracy responded with enthusiastic waving.

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