Awake and Dreaming - Kit Pearson [33]
John lunged at her, picked her up and carried her screaming to her room. By the time he had returned for Ben, Lisbeth had dashed downstairs again. Ben ran into the kitchen and John turned to Theo.
“Come on,” he pleaded. “Bed.”
“Okay,” said Theo, getting up.
“No, Theo!” cried Lisbeth. “Run away!”
Theo looked at John. She didn’t want to hurt his feelings. But then she noticed how he was trying not to laugh. “Go to bed, both of you!” he repeated.
Theo hesitated—then shook her head with a grin and shot into the living-room. John caught her by an arm and a leg and tried to drag her across the hall. Ben scampered in and he and Lisbeth flung themselves on top of John. They thrashed in a giggling pile while Bingo barked around them.
Theo laughed so much her insides became hollowed out and her belly ached. They all lay on the floor, helpless and limp.
“I give up,” gasped John. “Stay up as late as you want, but don’t blame me if you get into trouble. I should be paid triple for looking after you guys!”
He went into the kichen and made more popcorn. They collapsed in front of the TV again. Ben soon fell asleep and John carried him upstairs. Then Lisbeth’s eyes began to close and John helped her to bed, Theo trailing behind. When she finally closed her eyes she gave one last, delighted giggle.
ON SUNDAY all the Kaldors got out their bikes. They offered Theo an old one of Anna’s to ride but she shook her head. “I don’t know how,” she whispered.
“You don’t know how to ride a two-wheeler?” said Lisbeth in astonishment. “I learned when I was five! Even Ben can ride one with training wheels.”
“Be quiet, Lisbeth,” said John. “Don’t worry, Theo—I’ll teach you.”
Theo followed him into the cemetery. John held the small bicycle upright while Theo climbed on. It felt dangerously tippy, but she wanted to please him.
“Okay, now I’m going to hold the saddle,” said John. “Go!”
Theo pushed the pedals harder and harder while John ran behind. The bike wobbled a bit but she kept her balance.
“Good!” puffed John. He stopped the bike and showed Theo how to use the brakes. “Okay, let’s try again—this time I’m going to let you go.”
“I’ll fall!” said Theo.
“No, you won’t—you’ll be fine. Just brake when you want to stop.” Theo wanted to protest further but John’s enthusiasm was very strong. He believed in her.
“Ready?” Theo gulped, then nodded. John held onto the seat as she pedalled—then he let go.
She rode steadily for a few minutes, then started to wobble. But she squeezed the brakes and the bike came to an obedient halt. She’d done it!
John ran up. “Good for you!” Both of them were bursting with pride.
Theo practised turning, braking and getting on and off. After an hour she could do it all—she could ride a bike!
THAT EVENING some relatives came for dinner—Mum’s mother, Dad’s brother and sister-in-law, and three small cousins—a baby called Emma, a two-year-old boy called Sam, and Linnea, who was a year older than Ben.
The grown-ups talked and laughed in the living-room while the eight children interrupted. Everyone smiled at Theo and welcomed her to the family. Lisbeth hauled around the baby and Sam shadowed Ben.
All the children ate at the kitchen table while Emma banged her spoon in a highchair beside it. Theo smoothed her new purple dress over her knees, her mouth watering at the plate of roast chicken and mashed potatoes an adult put in front of her.
“Now we’re eight cousins!” said Anna, cutting up Sam’s meat. “There’s a book called that.”
“Cheers!” cried Linnea, clinking her glass of ginger ale against Ben’s.
Theo looked around the happy circle of chewing, noisy faces. She melted into it and tried not to think of school tomorrow.
10
“Are you ready, Theo?” said Mum. “I’ve told the school you’re coming. Anna will take you to Ms. Tremblay’s class.”
Theo tried to feel ready, but she shivered inside with the same dread she always felt at starting another school. She’d put on her new plaid pants, with a matching green top and red vest. The Kaldors kept telling her how