STONES OF FIRE

By Tessa Harvey

CHAPTER SEVEN

(Continued)

Robert slipped out one Saturday. He had told his dad he wanted to be a detective and waited for applause and encouragement from his father, his small freckled face open and expectant. The reaction was violent. The older man went red with suppressed anger and Robert watched his arm raise, then lower and he saw the thin lips tighten against a volley of curses.

His mum looked apprehensive but also angry herself on her son's behalf. Robert decided to get out. It was becoming a regular occurrence.

Downhearted, he went to his friend's house, walking slowly, kicking the odd stone morosely.

Wes came hurtling to meet him. "Guess what?" he yelled high on the wind. "I finded a burgular and we got a reward. We got chocolate! I kept some for you," he added caringly as he saw the older boy's sad face.

Maya explained how they were in the hardware store and Wes had gone to find some nails for Nev.

"The stealer was putting shiny screwdrivers in his pocket" interrupted Wes. "I yelled 'Stop that you stealer!!"

Before Maya or Nev or the store manager had arrived, the strange man had slipped the tools back.

He had stared at them all. "What's wrong? I was just looking! What's with the kid?" He had gone away angrily, but the look he gave Wes would have cowed a vicious dog, never mind a small boy.

Wes stared at Robert. "The bad man's hair looked like yours, Robert, all gingery."

Robert looked pale and shaken. Maya noticed. "Mum made scones for us," she said. "Come in, Robert. They are lovely and warm - Everybody's different, Wes," she remarked. "We are very dark like our mum and other people have yellow or red hair. It's just how it is."

She put her arm through Robert's and pulled him into the house. Leaf and Neville treated them as their son, but Robert had wanted his very own dad. The thought rankled and would not go away.