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Kanga in my own little bubble |
“Mum can I check out the bookstore?” I asked earnestly. “I need something to read for the plane trip and when we went into the bookstore last there was that fantasy novel I wanted. The Ill Made Mute. Please! Please! Pretty please with a cherry on top!”
“Mm ok fine but you can only get one thing. For the trip.”
I scurried away quickly, in the direction of Peter’s Old Time book shop, before she had a chance to change her mind.
Searching through the rows and rows of old, decrepit books, in the stores’ fantasy section, one particular title caught me eye, “The Tale of the Lyrine, and its protectors.” I gasped. Man oh man. Should I get it? I guess the more I know about it the better, so I removed the ancient paper back from the shelf and walked up to the counter. There was a short, elderly man with huge, thick rimmed glasses sitting on a stubby chair reading a book that looked almost as old as the one in my hand. I was surprised it didn’t turn to dust just by touching it.
I just stood there, nervously, until he finally seemed to notice me. Putting the book down, he asked in a horse, cracking voice, “May I help you young lady?”
“Yes, thankyou, how much is this?” I asked politely, handing him the book carefully.
Taking one look at the cover he pushed his glasses up his nose more, I guess so they wouldn’t fall down, and peered at me. To tell you the truth I was pretty nervous. What was wrong?
“Where did you get this?” He asked me.
“Um in the fantasy section,”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes.”
“Well this isn’t mine.”
I stood there, surprised. Not just because it wasn’t his book. I was surprised that he knew each and everyone of the hundreds of books in his store and could tell if a novel wasn’t or was his. And that he would miss out on some extra cash by saying it didn’t belong in his store.
“So I guess you can have it,” he said, snapping me out of my thoughts.
“Wh..what? Really? I can still pay for it.” Oh my god. I can’t believe I just said I would pay for a book when I didn’t have to! I mean I need all the money I can get if I want some of those cute white sunnies from Jetty Surf.
“No, no, no my dear. It’s quite alright. You keep it and enjoy it,” he said kindly.
“OK. Thank you and I will enjoy it.”
As I was walking out of the door, I looked back at the man. He was already engaged in the book, but this time he had a little smile on his face. Confused I headed back to Breaky Burritos where I said I would meet mum and dad.
* * *
They were pretty surprised when I came to B n Bs (Breaky Burritos) carrying a book, my mum and dad I mean, since I didn’t have any money on me. I was going to come back if I found a good novel, and ask them to pay for it. They probably thought I had found it or something. They would never think that I would’ve stolen it. They know me, and I don’t steal things. I told them about what happened in Peter’s Old Time bookshop. When I had finished they just shrugged.
Just after we had arrived home, the removal truck came. We had to pack up all our stuff the day before because our flight leaves really early tomorrow. Five thirty in the morning to be exact. I have never woken up at that time in my life! I guess I have to go to bed early today. Oh well. Not like there’s much to do anyway, well that’s after we help the removal men put everything in their huge truck.
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