MIDNIGHT - HarperCollins NZ
MIDNIGHT - HarperCollins NZ
MIDNIGHT - HarperCollins NZ
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<strong>MIDNIGHT</strong><br />
going somewhere special?’ she asked excitedly. ‘Do I<br />
need a new hat?’<br />
Libby beamed at her. Sometimes her mother’s affliction<br />
reduced her to tears, but not this time, because once<br />
again she had a situation to deal with. ‘Yes,’ she answered<br />
brightly. ‘Thomas promised to take us to the park, the<br />
first really warm day we get. It’s too cold now – March<br />
winds and rain most days. But come April, we might take<br />
him up on his kind offer. So yes, you do need a new hat,<br />
and if that one suits you, it’ll be my treat.’<br />
With her fickle mind shifting in all directions, the<br />
older woman remembered, ‘Oh, a fresh pot o’ tea, you<br />
say?’<br />
‘That’s right.’ Libby was relieved. She went to put<br />
the kettle on.<br />
‘And remember to put two tea-bags in it? Last time<br />
you only put in one, and it tasted like cats’ pee.’ She<br />
laughed out loud. ‘Not that I’ve ever drunk cats’ pee,<br />
but if I had, it would taste just like that tea of yours.’<br />
She gave a shiver as though swallowing something<br />
horrible. ‘So, this time, have you done what I told you?’<br />
‘Yes, I have.’<br />
‘Two teabags, then?’<br />
‘Yes, Mother. Two teabags, one sugar – the way you<br />
like it.’<br />
‘I bet you didn’t warm up my cup!’<br />
‘Yes, I did that too.’<br />
‘Good girl. At long last, you’ve learned your lesson.<br />
You can be such a naughty child!’<br />
Through the haze in her mind, Eileen saw a chubby<br />
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