Super Texas Poker

Time stood still. Then everything seemed to happen slowly, at a distance. John didn't move. There was Mimi rurming to the phone, then the sound of the ambulance as it broke the silence of their quiet street. john felt helpless. He could only stand and watch as his urcle was carried into the ambulance. Several neighbours had come out to see what was going on. Mimi was doing the buttons on her coatand checking her hat. 'He's just had a fall,' she told them. 'There's nothing to see, really. He'll be fine.' John wasn't so sure. He looked into the back of the ambulance and saw his uncle lift one thumb weakly. He was trying to say that he was OK. 'You stay here,' Mimi totd John as she got into the ambulance. 'We'11 be back soon enough.' John watched the ambulance drive off and then he was onhis own. He didn't even think about going up to his bedroom ... . After several long hours of nervous waiting, he fell asleep on the sofa. It was the middle of the night when the sound of the front door woke him. Mimi had returned from the hospital alone.

'Mimi?' When she turned, John saw that her eyes were red. She had been crying. Mimi never cried. 'He's dead,' she said simply. ]ohn gave astrange laugh. He couldn't stop himself. She was joking, wasn't she? She hsd tobe. Mimi walked past him into the kitchen and began to wash up. Then it hit John - it was true. His uncle was
dead.

He went to put his arms áround Mimi. Hot tears were in his eyes.

Mimi patted his head quickly. 'Please, let's not be silly,' she said. 'If you want to cry, go to your room.' She turned back to thewashing up. 'It's just the two of r1s nory so let's get on with it.' John did want to cry; he wanted Mimi to hold him. Instead, he stood next to her in silence and began to dry
the dishes.

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It was the first funeral John had ever been to. He felt uncomfortable in his black suit and tie. As she stood at the grave/ Mimi kept her head high and held back the tears.

For John it washard to believe that they were putting his

uncle's body into the ground. He looked around. A short distance behind them, a \\'oman with red hair was watching the funeral. Her eyes met John's and she smiled sadly. John watched as she turned and slowly walked away. He had recognised her immediately. Later, everyone went back to the house. While all the adults were inside, John and his cousin,Stan, talked in the garden. 'Do you want to go to Blackpool tomorrow?'Stan asked.'We could go on some rides at the fair.' 'You don't need to look after me, Stan,' said John quietly. 'I know - I'm just asking about Blackpool.' Stan paused. 'He was my uncle, too.' 'Yes, but he was more thanjust an uncle to me, wasn't he?'John was quiet for a moment, then he turned to his cousin.'You saw her too,rigillt?'he said. 'The woman with the red hair?' Stan nodded. John went on. 'Why isn't she here now?' 'She was busy, apparently. That's what Mimi said.'Stan looked at his cousin.'Anyway, you should call her Mum ... the woman with the red hair.' John didn't answer. Yes, the woman with red hair was his mother, but she hadn't beenMum to him for a long

time "' '

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John lay on his bed andthought. A memory kept coming back to him. How old had he been? Four? No more than

five ...

.

He was standing in the hall and there was someone outside front door. ATroman, a woman with red hair. She could see him through the thick gtass. She hit her hand against the glass urgently.
the

'lohn!' she shouted. Her aoice sounded sad, afraid,but lohn didn'tknow wlty. Suddenly,his AuntMimi appeared and
carried him out of the hall and away, away from the woman with the red hair. Away from his mother.

CIIIPTEN E

'Fun, Fun, Fun!'
lfohn had told Mimi that he was going to Blackpool for the ,lar- rvith his cousin Stan. As they left, his aunt appeared at *Jre front door. She crossed her arms and asked the usual question. 'John, have you got your glasses?'

'They're in my...