Read The Amazing Mind of Alice Makin for Free Online Page B

start I’d have thought the Spicers and unattended fireworks don’t go together. In fact, the Spicers and anything unattended don’t go together – even your unattended granny. If it’s not nailed down, they’ll pinch it. If it is, they’ll just pinch the nails first.
    When he came out of the shop the fireworks were gone. The whole box – five shillings’ worth. I had a real go at him. He was upset. Said he was sorry. Most people would have left it there. Not me – I told him to get lost, and he went. Razor tongue strikes again. I felt awful. Maybe oneday I’ll think before I open my big mouth.
    I’d been looking forward to tonight for ages, as well. Dreaming of all those lovely fireworks. Now all we’ve got between us is a couple of packets of sparklers and bad feelings. I told the other kids I’d invited from school we’d lost the fireworks. I thought it was only fair. Most of them said they wouldn’t bother to come over just to see a bonfire. They’d go and find some other street with a bonfire and fireworks. George said he’d try to get over later. Veronica said she’d do whatever George did. I said she should make up her own mind. I was a bit disappointed with Veronica. We’re good friends. But then, she does like George.
    Oh, well. Suppose I’d better swallow my pride and go and find Reggie.
    I’m about to get up.
    â€˜Alice?’
    He whispers my name as if he’s afraid of it. I get up too quickly and bang my head on the canvas roof. Water shoots off. He peers around the corner.
    â€˜Thought I’d f-find you here. Me and Granddad thought we’d g-get the bonfire ready, if that’s all right with you.’
    Flash pokes his head in between Reggie’s legs. Looks really funny, like he hasn’t got a body. He must be the nosiest dog in the world; always has to know what’s going on. He sees me and barks. I’m really glad to see them, but I’m going to act as if I’m not really bothered.
    â€˜What about the rain? You’ll never get it to light in this.’
    â€˜There’s just a few m-more bits of wood to stack. By thetime we’ve finished it might have stopped. You going to h-help?’
    I duck out. Look around. Like I’m making up my mind. Really, it’s already made up.
    â€˜Yeah, I might.’
    â€˜Come on, it’ll b-be great.’
    â€˜I got you another bit of wood.’ I point to the branch I got from the park.
    He grins. ‘B-blimey, I thought that must have been dropped by a giant b-bird building a very large n-nest.’
    â€˜Reggie.’
    â€˜What?’
    â€˜That’s not funny. And don’t say blimey. It’s common.’
    â€˜You say it.’
    â€˜That’s different.’
    He smiles. So do I. Never was any good at being angry. Life’s too short, Mum always says.
    â€˜F-friends?’
    â€˜Friends.’
    â€˜Let’s g-get going then.’
    â€˜Won’t be a minute, I’ve just gotta get Mrs Gilbey. I promised I’d call for her when we were gonna light it.’
    He moves aside to let me out, brushes my arm, accidentally on purpose. Flash runs around barking. Starts digging in the dirt.
    â€˜Sorry that I w-went and left the fireworks where the Spicers could get them.’
    â€˜That’s all right. I’m sorry too.’
    â€˜I’ve got a f-feeling it’s going to be a really good bonfire night.’
    â€˜You reckon?’
    â€˜Yes, I do.’
    I look up. Don’t think the weather agrees with him. The rain starts to drift in heavy, flat sheets, cold and grey against the sky. If it keeps up it’ll spoil everything. I walk to Mrs Gilbey’s, really wishing it would stop. Start singing ‘rain, rain, go away, come again another day’ like I used to when I was a kid.
    Mrs Gilbey’s house is only across the road from the bombed debris, so it doesn’t take