A Test Of Courage

Yasmin’s dad needed her but could she reveal her secret project?

YASMIN'S hand shook slightly as she struggled to get her key in the front door.

At the sound of the car horn, she turned and waved her thanks to Dave, who was pulling away, having given her a lift home.

"It's all part of the service, and when you're that excited there's no other sensible option," he'd insisted, despite the fact that he had a busy schedule.

"Yasmin, is that you?" Her mother's voice reached her from the kitchen.

She hung up her jacket, took off her shoes and

walked through to where the dinner preparations were already underway.

"Where's Dad?" she asked.

"He's got a double lesson for a lad who's leading up to his test.

"He'll probably be a bit late - you know he always likes to give them some extra time, just to make sure they're confident." Her mum shook her head as she focused on her task.

"That's a nuisance." Yasmin sighed, picking up a piece of red pepper from the edge of the chopping board and popping it into her mouth. "What's on the menu, anyway?" "Vegetarian lasagne. I'm

planning to make one with the year eights next week." Yasmin was used to being fed dishes related to her mother's job as the food technology teacher at the local academy.

Pam was a dedicated professional who would never demonstrate a recipe without testing it out first.

"What brings you home so early? Did you have some flexi-time to use up?" "Kind of." Yasmin avoided her mum's eyes. "I did take the afternoon off, but I had a particular reason.

"I was going to wait until you were both together, but I guess I might as well tell you..." Before she could go any further, the phone in the hall interrupted her.

"Can you get that? My hands are a mess." Yasmin grabbed the receiver from its position at the bottom of the stairs.

"Hello? No, I'm his daughter. Oh, my goodness ... no, you've definitely done the right thing.