Big Party

Big Party

Petrach dropped the 'Sponsor a Granny' leaflet to the floor. Today he
had enough problems. Today was the day of the big party.

Spoonitsy Chen arrived first in a cloud of strong perfume. Next it was
Ming Ya in a cloud of wide-eyed children. Finally Yin Yang Chung all
alone in no kind of cloud whatsoever.

"So where is he?" said Spoonitsy.

From the kitchen Ninny appeared clutching nervously at a plate of
badly dissected crudit?s. "Drink anyone?" she said.

Yin fussed with the hem of her dress. Ming Ya's children stood
passively with eyes wide open. Spoonitsy folded her arms.

There had been a long standing prearrangement that Ninny and Petrach's
firstborn would marry Spoonitsy's firstborn.

"So?" said Spoonitsy.

"Mango or banana?" said Ninny shrilly, hoisting the plate of crudit?s
high into the air in what she would later describe to Petrach as a
knee-jerk reaction.

"Child!" said Spoonitsy.

Petrach hung his head. "In here," he said.
In the bedroom Psigor cooed silently in his ice-cream tub bed.

"He's very small, isn't he?" said Spoonitsy bending closer.

"He'll grow," said Petrach quickly.

"Yes," said Spoonitsy, "but how much?"

Petrach didn't say anything but found himself suddenly struck with a
bolt of pride. He scooped the 'Sponsor a Granny' leaflet off the floor
and handed it to Spoonitsy.

"If you don't treat the young with respect," he said, "then this is
the boat you'll find yourself in."

For once Spoonitsy had nothing to say. She vowed to take revenge.