Unexpected Turns: The Painted Bear
on the table. She lit another cigarette and sat down. Her mind was troubled. Her daughter was talking to someone, but there was not a soul in the room. Did she have a friend hidden in there? No. The room had only one door and she had the only key. Was there another way in? No. The window was nailed shut. There was no other way into that room except the door. She had the only key. The idea that her daughter should be enjoying the company of some 'other' made her nervous. She clawed back some hair from her face and drew on the cigarette hard. The kitchen began to fill with a mist of smoke as she thought about the matter.
She realized what she must do. She would go back and listen at the door. Kasia might speak to the secret friend again, give the secret away, betray the identity of the 'other' in the room with her.
Quietly, Kasia's mother crept back down the hall. She stood, bowing over, and listened with her ear close to the keyhole. Through the door she could hear her daughter walking about.
"Well you see Panda," said Kasia, "I'd really love to play a skipping game, but I'm too hungry. I just don't have the strength to go jumping and jumping and jumping! How about a game of tiddlywinks?
"Oh, wait a minute. You can't flick the counters with your big, furry hands!
"I could read to you? Would you like me to read a story to you? Would you? OK I'll read a story to you.
"Now, which one would you like?
"I've got a story about ducks, and one about chickens, and one about a farm but the back half is gone.
"Are you comfortable?
"Good.
"You are a lucky bear. You've got a big soft bottom to sit on! I have to use a cushion.
"This is the story of the farm at Willows ..."
When Kasia's mother opened the door, Kasia froze and went as white as a sheet.
"That's enough of that!" said her mother, "You are not allowed friends in your room! I've told you the rules.'"
Panda quickly stood up and went over to the other side of the room.
"But mummy! He's a very nice bear! He won't hurt me, or
