‘What sort of a distraction?’ Andrew asked.
‘One that keeps Marcus from looking at me for about thirty seconds,’ Minnie replied.
Attracting the attention of adults was one of Andrew’s special skills. They seemed to notice him even when he wasn’t doing anything at all. At school the teachers would often ask what he was up to in suspicious voices when all he was doing was quietly doodling in his workbook or innocently staring out at seagulls.
He was pretty sure that he could get Marcus to watch him while Minnie did whatever it was that Minnie wanted to do.
Marcus was back in the room, carrying his neat little tray again.
Andrew was also sure that trays of drinks and expensive art didn’t go together.
He stepped forward eagerly. ‘Let me help you with that.’
‘No, it’s fine, I’ve got it.’
‘Please. You’ve been so nice. I’ll just take it and –’
‘No, honestly, it’s –’
‘Right. I’ve got it. Where should I put it? On this stand?’
‘No, no, Andrew, that’s a plinth. And it’s already got a sculpture on it.’
‘That’s all right. I can hold the tray with one hand and lift the statue off.’
‘No!’
‘Look, it comes right off. Should I put it on the floor, do you think? It’s quite heavy. What’s it made of? Pottery? We did pottery in school once. Well, not me. I just had to watch. I broke my pot right at the beginning and there wasn’t time to make a second one. This really is heavy. I wonder how long I can hold it in one hand.’
‘Andrew!’ Marcus yelled. ‘Put the statue back right this minute!’
‘Oh. Oh, I’m sorry, you should have just said.’
Andrew put the ceramic head back exactly where he had found it. He eased it a millimetre to the left, then a hair’s breadth to the right. He held the tray all the while, perfectly balanced, on his left hand. He’d had a lot of experience holding trays for Mum.
He glanced over at Minnie. She gave him a ghost of a nod.
Andrew held the tray with both hands and gave it back to Marcus. ‘Sorry, Marcus, I was just trying to help.’
Marcus’s cheeks were veined red and his eyes had a peculiar glassy sheen. It was a look Andrew had seen before on angry adults. Often.
Minnie edged across the room and took Andrew’s arm. ‘Sorry, but we’d better go,’ she said. ‘We didn’t mean to cause trouble. It just sort of happens sometimes. Thanks for having us.’
As she spoke, she steered Andrew towards the door. They both gave a quick wave to the now speechless Marcus.
‘What did you find?’ Andrew asked as soon as they were out in the street.
‘Let’s get the others and I’ll show you.’