Cartwheels in the waiting lounge
 |
| Image: All Rights Reserved |
| London : Corgi Books |
| 2009 |
This time there was cartwheels in the waiting lounge. Millie sat huddled against Dad, her face pale and sleepy. Max, for once without his GameBoy, gazed out of the windows at the pink sunrise lighting up the sky. Dad was disheveled and unshaven and looked like he hadn’t slept. There were lines on his face that Louis didn’t remember seeing before. His eyes were exhausted. He caught Louis looking at him and smiled. And suddenly Louis realized that love was a very powerful thing. It could make one man risk everything even his freedom, just to be with his children.
Their plane was being called. Dad was urging them to gather their few belongings. Louis handed Millie the second rucksack containing Dad’s laptop as they followed the handful of other passengers down the mobile corridor towards the whirring mouth of the plane.
‘But it’s really heavy,” Millie complained.
‘Just take it, Millie.’
Millie gave a dramatic roll of the eyes but took the rucksack from him without further fuss. The stewardess was getting ready to close the door of the plane as they arrived.
‘Just in time, ‘she said. ‘You’re the last passengers.’
Max stepped through the opening and onto the plane. Dad took Millie’s hand. Louis felt his heart lurch. He stepped back.
‘Hurry, Louis,’ Dad said, turning back in the doorway.
‘I’m not coming,’ Louis said.
‘What?’ Dad started to get off the plane again.
‘Sir, we really have to close up now,’ the stewardess said. ‘Are you boarding this plane or not?’
‘Yes,’ said Dad. ‘Yes! Louis, don’t be silly, get on now!’
‘No, Dad, I’m not coming,’ Louis said again.
‘What are you talking about?’
‘What’s going on?’ Max had reappeared in the doorway. ‘Is this our plane or not?’
‘Louis says he doesn’t want to come,’ Dad said, a tremor in his voice.
Max gazed at Louis with a disbelieving smile on his face. ‘What are you talking about? You want to stay in Glaslow?’
‘I’m going to live with Maman, ‘ Louis said.
Extract from the book Without Looking Back
by Tabitha Suzuma
All Rights Reserved.
London : Corgi Books, 2009.
Call Number: J English SUZ
Extract contributed by Faizah Binte Mohamed Salleh
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When was the last time you had to make an important decision? If you could choose all over again, would you change anything?
July 2nd, 2010 at 11:35 am
Well, I made my last important decision LAST YEAR, during the June holidays. My uncle had come my house on one of the days and brought the hamster my younger brother was begging for. But instead of one squirmy hamster, he brought TWO! (By the way, the second hamster is my brother’s hamster’s younger sister.)
We put them at the side, on the floor, in a container. As we had turned on the air-conditioner, those 2 bundles were quite cold so they cuddled up together… those 2 brother-and-sister were very cute and at first, I wanted to keep the second hamster… but I knew that it would add to the big load I already had, as I already had to take care of another hamster… but then, I thought that those 2 hamsters would be very, you know, sad when they were seperated and I then, decided that I could keep her(Her name became Snowy, in case you don’t know…)
If I could choose all over again, I will NEVER change anything. Even though Snowy is a bit noisy… and a little hyper-active…
July 2nd, 2010 at 11:38 am
The last time I had to make a desicion had resulted in a painful ending.I still cannot let go of what I chose.My dog had to be put to sleep.There were moments I wished I could relive that moment and do it differently.But looking back, I realised that it ended the suffering of somebody, not being cruel and letting him suffer anymore. So now, even if I had a chance, I would not make a change.That is because I know now, he is watching over me. Not as a guardian angel, but as my best friend…
July 7th, 2010 at 10:08 am
Yes . I keep thinking that i want to do it but I can’t.
July 7th, 2010 at 10:14 am
I did make some important decisions. I wouldnt want to change it if it is a correct decision. But, if i made a mistake, i will definatelytry my best to change it.
July 7th, 2010 at 10:21 am
I did make some important decisions. I wouldn’t want to change it if it’s right. I would make sure it’s better than the original copy if it’s wrong.
If I make any mistakes or commit any wrongdoings, I’ll definetely try my extreme best to turn over a complete new leaf.
July 8th, 2010 at 11:58 am
My last inportant decision that I made was during the June holidays.I had to either go and do my homework and do my math assement as I had done badly in my SA1 or I would not get to go prawning.I liked to go prawning because whenever we were there,we would always catch a lot of prawns.
When that happened,i was very angry.At first,i ran to my room and lay down on the bed and refused to do anything.(I always lie down on my bed whenever i am angry or uhappy.Its my comforting place.):) But after a while,i knew that I was just being silly so I went to do my assement.If I could change my decision,i would not have changed my decision because it would have resulted in me not going prawning.
July 9th, 2010 at 12:57 pm
My last important decision that I had made was during my stay at Tokyo. My mother told me that I can either go to Tokyo Disneyland, Tokyo Disneysea or Tokyo Universal Studios.
I racked my brains for the whole night and decided to go to Disneyland. Indeed, I was right about that. It was fun, extremely fun. I would not change anything about my decision.
July 13th, 2010 at 12:53 pm
My last decision was during the December holidays last year, My mom said that I can either watch a movie or buy a cartoon CD. It was really hard to make the decision. While we are at a shop that sells CDs, I stood there deciding what should I do. A few minutes later, I decided to buy the CD.
July 13th, 2010 at 6:22 pm
My last important decision was on a friday. My family was prepared to go to C.G. a k a cell group. It is always nice to go as I will have a lot of fun. Then, my dad fell sick.
( I either had to stay at home or my mother would drive us there. It was raining and I decided to stay at home as I did not want him to fall sick.
July 13th, 2010 at 9:17 pm
When I was in Australia during the March holidays this year, my parents only allowed me to buy one soft toy. I had to choose between a koala or a wombat. It was a very hard decision as I wanted both the koala and wombat soft toy. In the end, I decided to buy the wombat soft toy as I think that it will be more unique. I don’t think I would change my decision.
July 19th, 2010 at 11:52 am
Recently, I had to make an important decision. Thinking back, I regretted not taking part in the competition. I backout because my teacher warned us that it would be a very difficult. I pondered on whether to take on the challenge or to give up. It was a opportunity for me but I did not persevere and was not determined enough. I decided to give up this opportunity. If I would have a second chance, I will definitely take part.
July 19th, 2010 at 12:05 pm
The most important decision that i had to make was a terrible decision. I if could turn back time, I would do anything to salvage my friendship with XXXX. Now that I have chosen my decision, I’m very happy but I don’t know if I had made the correct choice. But things are calming down now.But i’m glad that I chosen that choice now that I can differentiate who are true firends and who are not.
July 21st, 2010 at 3:26 pm
Recently, Ihad to make a very important decision. It was to choose to go to a camp with my best friends from church or to go to Malacca with my parents, brother and god granparents. I decided to go Malacca with them as they were more important tome. If I had the chance to change my decision, I would not.
July 29th, 2010 at 2:51 pm
Recently, we had to make a very important decision whether we should trust my friends or family because our parents said that if we are hanging out with bad company as they may teach us the wrong things. But our friends said that they are not doing anything bad. Till one day we saw our friend stealing and from that day onwards i decided to trust our parents
July 29th, 2010 at 6:55 pm
Without looking back!!!! if u do wrong thing do not do it again is the same meaning as “DO NOT TURN BACK AGAIN!!!!!”