I've Got Sixpence

One small coin. One big victory. A slice of British childhood so vivid you'll almost smell the aniseed balls.

Bully-boy Mike had already taken her threepence, twisting her arm until she dropped it, then spent every penny on himself while she went out in the cold to do the shopping he was supposed to do. He thought that was the end of it. He was wrong. Crouching to rescue a dropped glove from the slushy snow, she sees it: a whole silver sixpence, shining up at her like a secret meant only for her. Now she has enough for two quarter-pound bags of sweets, a plan that involves Floral Gums and a detour to Gran's house, and the exquisite pleasure of knowing that the one person who should have gone to the shop is going to get absolutely nothing. "I've Got Sixpence" is a brief, bright, perfectly tuned story about childhood, sibling rivalry, and the very specific genius of getting even without ever raising your voice. Readers who grew up in an England of sweet jars and sherbet dust will feel it in their bones. Readers who did not will wish they had. ---