The Book of Chance by Sue Whiting

Author:Sue Whiting [Whiting, Sue]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781760651459
Publisher: Walker Books Australia
Published: 2020-01-15T00:00:00+00:00

One of the good things about living so close to the Gong was that every shop imaginable was practically on my doorstep. So a quick trip to the hardware and timber yard on the corner and a chat to Charlie the hardware guy and soon I was walking out with some sheets of sandpaper, a can of undercoat and another of white gloss enamel. And quite a substantial dent in my Walking Fluffy Savings.

My plan was to give Mama’s cabinet a makeover. Then she could bring it back inside and put it in the shiny new back room with her desk. And once she had seen what I’d done, she’d melt. The invisible barrier between us would dissolve and she’d wrap me in a hug and tell me that everything was okay. She’d know that she could trust me with the truth. Simply, I just wanted my old mama back. It was a desperate plan. But it was the only one I had.

I was just rounding the corner, swinging the cans of paint in time to the marching band music from number 48, when I noticed the Beteshes across the road. Mrs Betesh was pushing the pram, with Selda holding onto the handle. Mr Betesh was carrying some shopping bags. There was nowhere to hide, so I tried to conceal the cans of paint behind my back, my eyes searching frantically for Mama.

But she was nowhere to be seen.

Mr Betesh saw me then, and raised his hand to wave. “Hello, Chance,” he called, in his thickly accented voice. “Have to move quick. Your mother, she is coming for us in ten minutes.”

I was confused. Mama left hours ago. I crossed the road to join them.

“You coming too?” Mr Betesh asked, as Mrs Betesh picked up Selda and held her on her hip to wipe her snotty nose with a tissue.

“Ah. No. I . . .” I licked my lips, my mind whirling. “I . . . I’m planning a surprise for Mama.” I held out the paint. “Ah, don’t tell her you saw me, okay?”

Mr Betesh smiled. “A secret. We will not tell.” He nodded at Mrs Betesh. She nodded back, eyes shining. “Secrets for a mama! Very good. Very good. You are very good daughter.”

I smiled and scurried away.

I was not her daughter, good or bad. And I did not like secrets at all.

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