‘Where have you been?’ she asked. ‘Mum’s worried. Did you see Dad? Did you go without me?’ Jack smiled at Ruby. Though she was cross, he could feel the bulge of cash in his back pocket. He’d won! And a tantrum from Ruby wasn’t going to spoil it. ‘Don’t get your knickers in a twist,’ Lauren said to Ruby. ‘I brought you something. Close your eyes.’ Ruby screwed up her eyes so tightly that her eyelashes seemed to disappear. ‘Hold out your hands.’ Ruby thrust her hands out, palms upwards. She had felt-tip marks all over her fingers. Lauren reached into her pocket and lifted something out. She dropped it gently into Ruby’s palm. ‘Open your eyes.’ Ruby gasped. So did Jack. Ruby was holding a tiny glass horse – one of the ornaments they’d seen in Dad’s bedroom. ‘What do you say?’ Lauren said. ‘Thank you,’ Ruby whispered. ‘It’s lovely. I’m going to call her Star, because she’s all twinkly.’ She had completed forgotten about being left behind.
What do You think about Operation Eiffel Tower (2011)?
