Granny Read Online Free PDF Page A

eat a plate of bread-and-butter pudding that his father had given him. The fact of the matter is that the worst thing about parents is often their parents. That’s certainly where they get their most rotten ideas.
    â€œI’ll just get some napkins…”
    Granny hobbled off into the kitchen and Joe quickly turned to Mrs. Jinks.
    â€œI can’t eat this,” he said.
    â€œOf course you can,” Mrs. Jinks replied. But she didn’t sound convinced.
    â€œNo! Can’t you see? She’s done it on purpose. She’s chosen all the things I can’t stand and she’s put them here because she knows you’ll make me eat them. She’s torturing me!”
    â€œJoe—you’re going to get a big smack if you go on like this.”
    â€œWhy won’t you believe me?” The whole conversation had taken place in whispers, but these last words rasped in his throat. “She hates me!”
    â€œShe loves you. She’s your granny!”
    Then Granny returned from the kitchen carrying some faded paper napkins. “Not started yet?” she croaked, grinning at Joe.
    She put the napkins down and picked up a green porcelain bowl, filled to the brim with thick cream cheese. Then she forked out a raw herring and laid it on the top. “That’ll give it extra taste,” she cackled. Finally she slid the whole thing toward him, and as she did so Joe saw the trembling half smile on her lips, the rattlesnake eyes that pinned him to his seat. Her long, knobby fingers with their uneven, yellow nails were scratching at the tablecloth with sheer excitement. Her whole body was coiled up like a spring.
    â€œNow, eat it all up, dear!”
    Joe looked at Mrs. Jinks, but she turned away as if unwilling to meet his eyes. He looked at the cream cheese, slooping about in the bowl with the herring lying there like a dead slug. Suddenly his mind was made up.
    He pushed the bowl away.
    â€œNo, thank you,” he said. “I’m not hungry.”
    â€œWhat?” Granny gurgled. She had been caught off guard and jerked in her seat as if she had just sat on a thumbtack. “But…” Her mouth opened and shut. “What’s the matter…? Mrs. Jinks…!”
    This was what Joe had been most afraid of. Whose side would Mrs. Jinks take? And Mrs. Jinks herself seemed unsure.
    â€œAren’t you hungry?” she asked.
    â€œNo,” Joe said.
    â€œCan’t you manage to eat a little bit?”
    â€œI’m not feeling well.”
    â€œWell, in that case…” Mrs. Jinks turned apologetically to Granny. “If he’s not well…” she began.
    Granny’s face shimmered. It was like looking at a reflection in the sea. One moment there was a look of absolute rage and hatred, the sort of look soldiers must have seen before they were bayoneted by the enemy. But then, with a huge effort, Granny managed to wipe it away, replacing it with a look of hurtful sadness. Huge crocodile tears welled up in her eyes. Her lips drew back and puckered like a healing wound.
    â€œBut, darling,” she said. “I spent the whole morning getting it ready. It’s your favorite.”
    â€œNo, it’s not,” Joe said. “I don’t like it.”
    â€œBut you’ve always liked it! Have you been eating chocolate and fries? Have you spoiled your appetite? Is that it? Mrs. Jinks…”
    What was happening at the table was completely unheard of. It was like that moment in Oliver Twist when Oliver asks for more—only in reverse, as Joe was asking for less. And normally all hell would have broken loose. But Mrs. Jinks had seen the look on Granny’s face, the full force of her hatred. Like Joe, she had glimpsed behind the mask—and now she was taking Joe’s side.
    â€œJoe’s not hungry,” she said.
    â€œHave a drink!” Granny trilled. “I’ve got some hot Ovaltine in the