In Thunder's Pocket: Part 5

By JOAN AIKEN

'What's your favourite?'

But no, he said, no, he didn't watch much.

'Only people! My hobby is collecting things.'

'Things, what sort of things?'

'Oh, fossils, shells. Puzzles. Numbers. Keys.'

'Keys?'

He smiled.

The smile changed the shape of his face entirely and made him seem, for a moment, like somebody I half remembered from long ago.

Only, who could it be?

He said: 'Maybe I'll show you my collection some time. The special thing about keys is that each one is made to open a particular lid or door maybe more than one. Yes, keys are very good things to collect. But look, we're coming to your stop'.

The train had slowed down. There were platform signs saying 'St Boan' and now the sea had retreated and lay far below us at the foot of a steep hill.

It looked like a black and wrinkled rug under massive purple clouds.

Publisher: Random House

Price: $14.95

Age group: 8 + years