Read Online Bitter Chocolate by Sally Grindley - Free Book Online

Pascal watched its silhouette grow smaller and smaller until it disappeared, and as he watched he grew more determined that one day, soon, he would escape. He had very little money because none of them had been paid for weeks – the price of chocolate had gone down, they were told – but somehow he would find a way to go back home to his own country and discover what had happened to his mother and sisters. If his father was no longer there to protect them, then he must take over that role.
    Kojo stirred and sat up. ‘You all right?’ he asked.
    Pascal nodded in the darkness. ‘I’m sorry,’ he said. ‘About earlier.’
    ‘I’ve forgotten about it,’ said Kojo.
    Pascal didn’t argue, though he knew it wasn’t true. He dropped down next to Kojo. ‘I’ve got to leave,’ he said quietly. ‘You coming with me?’
    He felt his young friend turn towards him questioningly. ‘Leave?’ asked Kojo, his voice tight. ‘When?’
    ‘Soon,’ said Pascal. ‘Very soon. I know we said we’d wait until we had enough money, but that could be never.’
    ‘How will we manage without?’
    ‘We’ll manage. I’ve got a bit,’ Pascal said determinedly. He didn’t want Kojo to undermine the decision he had reached, didn’t want him to sow doubt. ‘You don’t have to come with me.’
    Kojo didn’t reply straight away, but then he said quietly, ‘I’ll never forget the day Papa lost his job. I was larking around in the woods with my brother. I’d just hit him with a papaya and was running away, when I saw my father coming across the rickety bridge with his bicycle. It was too early for him to be there. He tried to pretend there was nothing to worry about, but, Pascal, I could see it in his face. He looked old suddenly. I was only eight, but I could tell that something bad had happened. He never recovered from losing his job, and that’s when he became ill.’ Pascal heard his friend swallow and sniff before continuing. ‘I’m not helping my family by staying, and I’m not staying if you’re going.’
    Pascal pushed him gently on the shoulder. ‘You’d miss me too much, wouldn’t you?’ he chuckled.
    ‘Like a hole in the head,’ muttered Kojo. ‘How are we going to escape?’
    ‘I dunno yet,’ said Pascal. ‘I’ll have to work something out.’
    They sat in silence for a while. Pascal wondered if he had done the right thing in asking Kojo to go with him. Kojo wasn’t as strong as he was, physically or mentally, and might cause problems for him. But for some strange reason, even though at times he longed for his own space, he didn’t want to undertake this next journey alone. Besides, he had promised Kojo when they first discussed escaping, several months before, that they would go together.
    ‘Are you excited or scared?’ Kojo asked at last.
    ‘Relieved,’ said Pascal.

Chapter 15
    Shouts. Mr Camara smoking his cigarette, repairing the fence. Flames licking at the bamboo edges. Kamil flicking playing cards across the table for Pascal to catch, but he misses every time. Laughter. Bright white lights distorting through cut-diamond faces. Flames licking at pounding feet. Angeline throwing Bijou up in the air, over and over, until Bijou doesn’t come down again. Screams. Mrs Camara rocking in a chair, worrying. Mr Camara running away when Pascal tries to speak to him, running away when Pascal tries to speak to him, running away . . . Shouts. Loud, urgent.
    ‘Wake up, Pascal! Quick! There’s someone coming.’
    Olivier was shaking him. Pascal didn’t know where he was. He sat up abruptly and looked around. Kamil was standing close by, staring into the distance.
    ‘We’ve gotta get out of here – now,’ Olivier hissed. ‘Come on, Kamil, don’t just stand there.’ He pulled Pascal to his feet. ‘Let’s go.’ He began to run, beckoning them to follow.
    ‘Come on, Kamil,’ Pascal urged.
    He tugged at Kamil’s hand. A burst of gunfire made them both jump and, to Pascal’s relief, Kamil began