Step by Step by Virginia Russell

Author:Virginia Russell
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Dundurn

Dad phoned a few minutes later. “Garbage,” he reported briefly.

“What?”

“That stuff floating in the river. It wasn't the runaway boy, thank goodness. See you in an hour or so.”

“Now where's that wig?” said Kim as she headed back to the kitchen table to finish her homework. Before Dad came home she'd go back to her world of fantasy. Kimberley Jamieson, reporter for the Vancouver Sun….

Nine

Reporter Jamieson slides her red sports car into the only parking space she can find, beside the old cannery. The sight of the building reminds her of her first real newspaper story, the one about her father rescuing the parrots from the fire.

Down by the museum, crowds are gathering and the music of a brass band fills the air. The birthday celebrations are starting. Reporter Jamieson, her long black hair in an elegant twist, hurries toward the scene, notebook in hand.

Kim opened her eyes, grabbed her pencil and started to write. She hadn't quite finished the opening paragraph, when someone hammered on the front door. Forgetting that she was wearing the wig, she scrambled to answer.

“For crying out loud, is that you, Kim?” asked a startled-looking Mike. “What's with the wig? You look gross with dark hair, if you want to know.” His face screwed up as if he'd sucked a lemon. “Hey, I just came by to drop off your bike,” he explained, as Kim tried to shut the door in his face. “Found it behind the cannery. You must have left it there Thursday afternoon.”

“Well, thanks for bringing it. Had no idea where I'd left it. Hey, our story looks good, eh? My dad got a big kick out of it. Thanks again for dragging me along.”

“Forget it. Hey, Kim, to get back to that wig, what's the deal? It doesn't suit you.”

“Doesn't suit me? Is that a fact?” Kim spoke sharply. “Well, Mister Mikowski, I guess I can choose how I look, if I darn well please. Anyhow, I'm a different person right now, trying to get in the mood for that English homework.” She fetched her paper from the kitchen and waved it under Mike's nose.

“‘The Delta Museum in the pioneer town of Ladner was the launching site for celebrations marking the founding of the municipality of Delta a hundred and twenty-five years ago. Thousands attended the gigantic parade and festivities that…’” read Mike. “So, that's a good start. Sounds authentic. Now what?”

“That's as far as I got when you pounded on the door.”

“Make a deal with you, Kim,” Mike said, bending low enough to look at her directly. “Take off the wig, will ya? We could go for a jog around town and sort of…develop your ideas.”

Kim agreed reluctantly, but she was still confused about something. “I thought you liked dark hair, Mike. Your friend Barbara's got really dark hair. As dark as it comes, from a bottle.” She couldn't resist that last remark.

Mike looked utterly confused. He mumbled, “I never knew she….”

Kim felt mean. It was no business of hers, or anybody's, if Barbara McTush wanted to colour her hair.

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