Aperçu du sujet
"What can it be?" Mum says, looking intrigued. She rips open the envelope and takes out the flowered card, and her whole face lights up. "Oh, Emma!" "What is it?" says Dad. "It's a day at a spa!1" exclaims Mum. "A whole day of pampering!" 5 "What a good idea!"
"What can it be?" Mum says, looking intrigued. She rips open the envelope and takes out the flowered card, and her whole face lights up. "Oh, Emma!" "What is it?" says Dad. "It's a day at a spa!1" exclaims Mum. "A whole day of pampering!" 5 "What a good idea!" says Grandpa, and pats my hand. "You always have good ideas for presents, Emma!" "Thank you, love! How thoughtful!" Mum leans over to kiss me, and I feel a surge of pleasure. I had the idea a few months ago. It's a really nice daylong package, with free treatments and everything. 10 "Wonderful!" says Mum. "I'll look forward to it! Emma, that's a lovely present!" "Oh, dear!" says Kerry with a little laugh. She looks at the large creamy envelope in her own hands. "My present's slightly upstaged2, I'm afraid. Never mind. I'll change it." I look up, alert. There's something about Kerry's voice. I know something's up. I just know it. "What do you mean?" says Mum. 15 "It doesn't matter," says Kerry. "I'll just … find something else. Not to worry." She starts to put the envelope away in her bag. "Kerry, love!" says Mum. "Stop that! Don't be silly! What is it?" "Well," says Kerry. "It's just that Emma and I seem to have had the same idea." She hands Mum the envelope with another little laugh. "Can you believe it?" 20 My whole body stiffens. There's complete silence as Mum opens the envelope. "Oh, my goodness!" she says. "What's this? Le Spa Méridien? And tickets to Paris? Kerry!" She's ruined my present. "For both of you," adds Kerry a little smugly. "Uncle Brian, too." 25 "Kerry! " says Dad in delight. "You marvel!" "It's supposed to be rather good," says Kerry with a smile. "Five-star accommodation … The chef has three Michelin stars." "I don't believe this!" says Mum. She's leafing excitedly through the brochure. "Look at the swimming pool! Look at the gardens!" 30 My flowery card is lying, forgotten, amid the wrapping paper. Suddenly I feel close to tears. She knew. She knew. "Kerry, you knew," I suddenly blurt out, unable to stop myself. "I told you I was giving Mum a spa treat. I told you! We had that conversation about it, months ago. In the garden!" "Did we?" says Kerry casually. "I don't remember!" 35 "You do! Of course you remember!" "Emma!"