Grace

  The motel lock must have been a security model like on Mr Gosper’s car, because Mr Denny couldn’t open it either.

  Suddenly there was the roar of a big engine, and Kyle yelled for us to get out of the way.

  I turned and saw Dad driving the tow truck. He was backing it towards the motel door.

  ‘Hook me up to the door handle,’ Dad yelled at Mr Denny. ‘i’ll rip the door off.’

  Even Mr Denny looked at bit surprised by that. But only for a moment. Then he attached a loop of cable to the towing hook. He was about to twist it round the door handle when the door gave a click and swung open.

  Mum stepped out.

  She looked fairly calm, though when I got closer I could see she was breathing heavily.

  ‘It’s OK, love,’ she said. ‘I’m fine.’

  She touched my cheek where Mr Gosper had hit me. Then she went over to the tow truck.

  Dad got out. They hugged.

  ‘Are you OK?’ said Dad.

  Mum nodded.

  ‘I’m ready to do that talking now,’ she said.

  I felt something tugging at my sleeve. It was Mark and Luke. Kyle had them both by the hand.

  ‘Mr Gosper’s face is bleeding,’ said Mark.

  ‘It’s got a big scratch,’ said Luke. ‘Why has it?’

  I turned to where they were pointing. Mr Gosper was in the doorway of his room, holding his cheek, his wisps of hair hanging down.

  ‘It’s because he took our swords,’ said Mark.

  ‘And because he’s a big bully,’ said Kyle.

  I was about to agree with Kyle, but something stopped me. It was the expression on Mr Gosper’s face. He was trying to scowl at us, but I could see how sad and lonely he was feeling.

  Suddenly a thought was upon me. If a church bullies you too much when you’re young, perhaps you turn into a bully.

  Poor Mr Gosper.

  I wished I could have a chat with him. Tell him about some of the experiences I’d had lately. Share some of the things I’d learned.

  But before I could take a step towards him, he shut his door.

  Mum and Dad went for a long walk, and Mr Denny took me and Kyle and the twins into town for ice cream.

  It was only when we were at the cafe table and tucking in that I realised what we were doing.

  Outsiders had made the ice cream.

  And we hadn’t microwaved it.

  I didn’t care.

  While I licked my strawberry ripple, I had a silent word with God. I told Him how well everything had worked out, and how we couldn’t have done it without His advice and encouragement.

  And His love.

  ‘Thanks,’ I said to God.

  ‘You boys are lucky,’ said Mr Denny to the twins.

  ‘I know,’ said Mark, licking toffee crunch off his chin.

  ‘Why are we?’ said Luke, his mouth full of choc-mint swirl.

  ‘Look at you,’ said Mr Denny. ‘Only four years old and all the adventures you’re having. All the new things you’re learning. You carry on like this and your folks’ll be as proud of you as I am of Kyle.’

  Mr Denny ruffled Kyle’s hair.

  Kyle glanced at me, embarrassed, but underneath I could see he was glowing.

  ‘We are already,’ said a voice.

  I turned and saw that Mum and Dad had come into the cafe. They were holding hands.

  ‘We’re proud of all our family,’ said Dad. ‘Prouder than we can say.’

  ‘And,’ said Mum, ‘more grateful than we can say.’

  Mum and Dad put their arms round me, their faces shining, and lo, talk about happy tearful hugs, it was the happiest one of my life so far.

  ‘You’ve got an A-grade specimen there, alright,’ said Mr Denny to Mum and Dad. ‘Things she’s been up to, you wouldn’t read about in a book.’

  ‘Actually,’ said Mum, ‘we’re hoping that next time she does a school project we’ll be able to.’

  Dad gave me a wink.

  ‘That’s right,’ he said. ‘The Book Of Grace.’

  Chapter 30

  So we left our church, me and Mum and Dad and the twins.

  And it came to pass we found somewhere really nice to live, and Kyle and his dad visit us sometimes, and we give them letters for Nannie.

  I can’t tell you where we are, in case Grandpop and Uncle Vern find out.

  But good luck is upon us and things are great and talk about happy families, we’re bountiful.

  And for that we give thanks every day.

  Also by Morris Gleitzman

  The Other Facts of Life

  Second Childhood

  Two Weeks with the Queen

  Misery Guts

  Worry Warts

  Puppy Fat

  Blabber Mouth

  Sticky Beak

  Gift of the Gab

  Belly Flop

  Water Wings

  Wicked! (with Paul Jennings)

  Deadly! (with Paul Jennings)

  Bumface

  Adults Only

  Teacher's Pet

  Toad Rage

  Toad Heaven

  Toad Away

  Toad Surprise

  Boy Overboard

  Girl Underground

  Worm Story

  Aristotle's Nostril

  Doubting Thomas

  Too Small to Fail

  Give Peas a Chance

  Pizza Cake

  Once

  Then

  Now

  After

  Extra Time

  Loyal Creatures

  My warm thanks to Tegan Morrison, Dmetri Kakmi, Laura Harris, Sarah Hughes and Tony Palmer.

  And to the State Library of Victoria for making their wonderful resources available to me via an Honorary Creative Fellowship.

  My gratitude also to the people who enriched my childhood with their loving and compassionate Christianity. Although I don’t share their religious beliefs these days, I will always cherish their values.

  Morris Gleitzman