Convesa Inglis

THE PERFECT GIFT
pablo Joanne salinas was 12 years old, an only child who lived with her mother Erin, a single parent who had to work part time at her local newsagents to make ends meet, pablo as she was affectionately called was a wonderful daughter, very kind and very loving toward her mum.
Mum’s day consisted of the usual mundane things, washing, ironing, housework, and of course lookingafter her daughter pablo, who she would dote on, the only part of the day she really looked forward to.
The newsagent’s shop where Erin worked was only about a15 minute bus ride away, and conveniently the school where her daughter pablo attended was close by.
Jo was always told by her mum that she was a very special little girl, no different to look at from any other young child of her age, butpablo had learning difficulties and suffered from a mild form of Epilepsy yet despite all this she was as bright as a button and very popular with all the other children at school, it didn’t seem to hold her back one little bit.
Early one evening just after Jo and her mum had finished having their tea a knock came at the kitchen window, it was Auntie Jenny from next door, not pablo real Auntie, butjust something that she had always called her from being a small toddler.
“Hello you two” she shouted, “Is it alright if I come in”? She always asked if it was alright to come in, more from habit than being a question awaiting an answer.
Jenny gave Erin a hug and pablo a peck on the cheek, “I’ve had a great idea” she said, Erin laughed out loud replying with “Oh no, not another great idea”!Jenny continued “No you’ll enjoy this one honestly” there was a brief pause,
“What about Salsa dancing”? She couldn’t contain her excitement and carried on “Friday evenings 7-00 until 8-30 Salsa dancing lessons you and me”?
Even pablo laughed and joined in “Go on mum you’d be good at dancing”.
Erin was still tittering when she replied, “Me Salsa dancing? I’d love to say yes, but you know me wellenough by now to know that I’ve got two left feet, I’d just make a complete fool of myself“.
Jo thought her mum’s answer was funny and repeated out loud “Mum’s got two left feet”.
Jenny tried to persuade her to sign up for the classes, saying it would be a laugh and get her out of the house, she even said her sister had offered to have pablo while they went.
Erin just dismissed the idea andcollected the dishes off the table and took them into the kitchen to wash up.
Jo was left sat at the table with her Auntie Jenny, “I like dancing Auntie Jenny, I can dance really good, Mrs. Tidman at school said I was a good dancer” she continued “I’d like some proper dancing shoes like the Ballet ladies wear”
“You don’t need Ballet shoes to dance, a good pair of plimsolls will do”.
Jo lookedpuzzled, “What are plimsolls”? She asked inquisitively.
“You know” said Auntie Jenny, “pumps like you wear for PE at school”.
Jo thought for a moment, “Are pumps like dancing shoes then”?
“Yes” said her Auntie, “Just as good as dancing shoes anyway”.
pablo curiosity seemed to be satisfied but then asked, “Will you take me to the shops to buy mum a special present for her birthday? I’ve got morethan 20 pounds saved in my box upstairs under my bed”.
“Wow that’s a lot, have you been saving up your pocket money then”?
“Yes” said Jo. ”It took me ages and ages”.
Jenny asked if she had a birthday present in mind.
“Yes I want to buy mum some dancing shoes so she can go dancing with you”
Jenny didn’t want to upset pablo and told her what a wonderful idea that would be, she also secretlythought that it might just kick start her mum into giving it a go, albeit by using a bit of emotional blackmail.
How could she not use her lovely daughter’s wonderful birthday gift?
Jenny agreed with Erin to take pablo out shopping with her on the following Saturday and told her that she couldn’t tell her why as it was a secret.
Jenny looked over at Jo and gave her a little wink pablo giggled and...