The Gizmo
Author: Paul Jennings
Publisher: Puffin Books, $10.95
He bends down and whispers in my ear, "Meet me at the pool." Then he turns and runs for his life.
"Come back," I yell. "Don't leave me."
Floggit looks back over his shoulder. Just for a second.
"Suffer," is all he says. Then he vanishes around the corner.
I am left alone. With the loot. And the security guard. And a very guilty look on my face.
The security guard stares at Floggit as he disappears into the crowd. Then he smiles at me.
"The market is closing," he says. "It's time for you to go."
"Thanks," I mumble. I stand up and start to walk towards the gate.
The gizmo and the stolen spanner seem to burn into my hands. I don't want them. I never wanted them. I feel terrible.
I do not like being a thief. I want to go back to being like before. If only I could turn the clock back. If only I could go back and unsteal the gizmo. But I can't.
Suddenly a good idea flashes into my brain. Why didn't I think of it before? I will give the gizmo and the spanner back.
I will return them to the stalls and no one will know the difference. I will not be a thief any more.
I am so happy that I start to smile. It is as if I have just thrown up a bad meal and feel well again.
I jog over to the tool stall. The lady is putting all of her goods into the back of a car.
"Is this yours?" I say in a trembling voice.
The lady glances at the spanner and then gives me a funny look. [continued on P15 of The Gizmo]
*Next week's book: Windy Webley By K. M. Peyton
