The old woman looked very interested. But perhaps she was interested in photographs? ‘Thanks for the hanky. Sorry it’s so wet. Let me wash it and post it back to you. What’s your address in Singapore?’
‘Don’t bother,’ said Amy politely.
‘I’d like to return a favour. It’s always helpful to know people in places where my son might visit. Is that your address on your backpack tag? ‘
‘Yes, and our Sydney one too.’
Reaching into her big bag slung from the handles of the wheelchair, the old woman found a pen and copied both addresses.
At the time, Amy did wonder why she wanted both. But then she moved on to thinking about why the plane might be late.
‘Bye. Thanks. Here’s my son’s business card. I can be contacted at that address too.’
Amy looked at the engraved card. She preferred to collect surf stickers or telephone cards. The curly writing on the card was hard to read.
JON SMART
SPARE PARTS MANAGER
EXPORT/IMPORT
Why would that be a dangerous job? What sort of spare parts did he manage? She knew that ‘import’ meant things coming into the country. And ‘export’ meant things going out of the country.
‘What does he export?’ Amy asked.
Mrs Smart didn’t seem to want to answer that. ‘Things. I’m not sure, this time.’
‘Do you like lizards?’ Amy stared at her jewellery.
‘Why? Oh, my opal. Yes, of course. My son gave it to me. A good luck present for our new business venture.’
The thin woman with glasses walked out, tugging at her floppy hat.
It was so big ,that it almost covered her face.
At the mirror, a girl was putting a rainbow wig over her mousey, brown hair. She also put safety pin ear rings into her ears. Fascinated, Amy watched. Rainbow Wig’s bag had a Singapore travel tag, too. Later, it was quite useful to know that Rainbow Wig’s hair was mousey brown underneath.
Chapter 4
Wheelies
‘Look!’ Christopher pushed a business card at her.
Amy read, ‘ Christopher Lee , Artist. That’s you.’
‘I know. It cost me two dollars for five in that machine.’
He pointed to a squat vending machine. It made business cards.
‘If you wanted to pretend to be someone else, you could just make up a card,’ said Amy slowly.
‘Or use the one a person gave you,’ suggested Christopher.’And pretend to be them.’
‘It’s not like a passport. You don’t need a photo to match.You could pretend to be him.’
‘Or her. ‘ That reminded Amy. She fished in her outside pocket for the Jon Smart business card.
‘Where did you get that? It’s printed the same way as mine.’ Christopher looked closely at the curly printing. ‘Was it done on this airport vending machine?’
‘I don’t know. She gave it to me.’Amy tugged his sleeve.’What d’you reckon a spare parts manager might sell?’
Christopher shrugged. ‘Car spare parts? Engine parts? Things for robots? Computer parts? Left-overs?’
‘Mmm, why would that be dangerous?’
‘Depends what they’re used for.’
‘If it was body parts, you could use a new brain.’ Christopher laughed.
Just as Amy tried to think of something clever to say, she noticed the wheelchair rolling across the carpet towards the departure gates.
‘Look, Christopher!’
‘At what?’
‘Mrs Smart. The Lizard Lady. In that wheelchair.’
‘Yes, I drew her before. She was changing money. I liked the shape of that wheelchair.’ Christopher flipped through his notebook. ‘Here she is.’
Amy stared at the sketch. Christopher’s drawing had captured her exactly. He always drew lots of details, so he’d drawn the bearded man standing behind her, holding an airline bag. He’d also drawn the bag on the handlebars and the stick with the frilled lizard shape. This chair had a drawer underneath.
‘Was that her son?’ asked Amy.
‘How would I know? I was going to draw one of the airport wheelchairs but then she rolled along.’
‘Which airport ones?’
‘Over there.’ Christopher waved at three blue wheelchairs neatly parked near the office. Each had a seat belt.
‘Can people take personal wheelchairs on board?’
‘I’m not sure.’
‘She said she was saying goodbye to her son. They have a new business, but she didn’t say what it was.She won’t be travelling with us,’ said Amy. ‘He must have gone through already.’
If she had already said goodbye, why was she in this international lounge? Most people here would be flying soon. As Christopher drew, Amy looked around. Out of habit, she checked the screen. Places and times kept flicking over.
There it was! SIN was moving up the list.
‘Look, Christopher. Singapore’s just flashed up higher. We’ll be moving soon.’
‘Ace.’
Rose bustled up to them, again. She’d been checking regularly. ‘The plane will be leaving in less than an hour. Just a few problems. Are you still okay?’
‘Fine.’
‘Move down to Gate 8 soon. Have you got your departure tax stamps?’
Luckily, Aunty Viv had already paid their departure tax, so they didn’t have to stand in a queue for that. Everybody had to pay twenty dollars before they left the country. Airports had lots of rules. And different uniforms.
‘See his uniform,’ Amy said, pointing to the security guard. ‘That’s like the jacket Mrs Smart had stuffed in her bag. Perhaps it’s the latest fashion?’
Above them, the television news was
