Breeze

by Sarah Asuquo

  “I know it can be a little bit scary starting a new school, Breeze, but you will love it. You’ll learn so many new things and you’ll make loads of new friends.” (Well, that’s what he thought). “And before you know it, the school day will be over, and you’ll be home again with JJ. And then you can tell us all about your day. How does that sound?”

  Breeze sat up and gently nodded.

  “And remember, your school is right next to my office, so I’ll always be close by.”

  Her father’s words comforted Breeze and after some time had passed, Breeze was telling her dad how much she loved her new hairstyle and counting how many ribbons her mum had managed to tie around her twists. She had twelve in total (I know, slightly excessive, but it was cute).

  “This is our stop, baby.”

  They got off at Aldgate East station and began to walk towards Sir James Charles Foundation School. As they were walking, Breeze noticed a man sitting outside the train station. He winked at her, which she found frightening because her preschool teacher, Carol, always said that she should, “Never talk to strangers because that’s stranger danger.” She tightly squeezed her father’s hand as they passed him. However, when Breeze saw the same man, sitting outside the same station and wearing the same clothes the next day — and the day after that, it troubled her. He wasn’t the scary man who winked at her every morning. In fact, Breeze thought he was a very friendly man and didn’t understand why he was alone.

  “Daddy.”

  “Yes, my dear.”

  “Why is that man sitting on the street by himself?”

  “He’s homeless, Breeze. Some people don’t have a place to live and so they have to live on the street.”

  “But that’s not good. He must be very cold.”

  “Yes, it is very sad, Breeze.”

  “But where’s his family? Why doesn’t anyone help him?”

  “I don’t know, darling.”

  “Can we help him, Daddy? Can he come and live with us?”

  “We don’t have enough space for him at our house, but how else could we help him?”

  “Um, I don’t know, Daddy.”

  “Think about it, Breeze. What could help him if he’s living on the street?”

  “Um… I know, a jacket to keep him warm!”

  “That’s a good idea, and what might he need at this time in the morning? What does Mummy say is the best way to start the day?”

  “Breakfast! Can we get him some breakfast, Daddy?”

  “I think that’s a great idea, Breezy. Let’s go to the café across the road.”

  “But how will we know what he likes?”

  “Let’s get him a ham and cheese toastie and a hot chocolate. Everyone likes ham and cheese toasties.”

  When Breeze’s father handed her the toastie and drink, she looked at him in dread.

  “It’s ok, Breeze. We will go to him together, but it was your idea to help him, so I think that you should give it to him.”

  Breeze stood in front of the man and was lost for words. She thought about how Carol had taught her to introduce herself when she started big school.

  “Hello, my name is Breeze, what’s your name?”

  “Hello, Breeze, I’m Lance. Nice to meet ya.”

  Breeze looked up at her father for approval.

  “Go on, baby, you’re doing a great job.”

  “Lance, me and Daddy got you breakfast. I hope you like it.”

  “Oh, thank you very much. I’m so hungry. What did you get?”

  “A ham and cheese toastie, and a hot chocolate with extra whipped cream!”

  “Wow! You must have read my mind. Ham and cheese toasties are my favourite. Thank you, Breeze. Cheers, mate.”

  As Breeze watched Lance take a supersize bite of his sandwich, she was filled with delight. Her father told her how important it is to help others, and from then on, every Friday they would buy Lance breakfast.

  On one occasion, as Breeze handed Lance his toastie, he placed a coin in her hand and said, “That’s my magic penny. It was given to me by someone very special and I’ve held onto it until I met someone special enough to give it to. You hold it tight for as long as you need to, and when the time’s right, pass it onto someone else.”

  Breeze grasped the coin and said, “Thank you, Lance.”

  She cherished that penny and whilst she didn’t believe it was magical, she did believe that it brought her good luck at some of the difficult times in her life. When she turned 12 and got her first set of house keys, Breeze asked her father to put the penny in a keyring and attached it to her keys so that every time she unlocked the door to her home, she was reminded of how fortunate she was to have a place to live. She made a vow that when she grew up, she would help people in whatever way she could.

  ***

  With Sports Day weeks away, Breeze and Bella had been training strenuously to prepare.

  “I still can’t believe this will be our last Sports Day in this arena, Breeze,” said Bella as they gathered their bags and left the stadium.

  “I know, Bell. I haven’t fully deeped it yet. I’m trying not to think about it too much. This is one of the few places where I feel like I’m just me, you know? There’s no judgement when I’m on the track. I can just do my thing freely … I think it will hit me hard once I run in that stadium for the last time.”

  “Yeah, it’s sad… but like Mrs B said, we’ve got to honour it and just celebrate the times we’ve had there.”

  “Yeah. It’s true and we will. You want to come over to mine, Bell and chill for a bit?”

  “Yeah, we can check out that new Netflix series I was telling you about.”

  “Which one, again? The Misfits?”

  “Yeah, it looks really good.”

  Breeze and Bella were almost at the top of Limehouse Hill, just around the corner from Breeze’s home, when they heard a woman cry out in despair across the street, “My baby! Help! My baby!”

  “Oh my gosh, Breeze,” said Bella, “her pram!”

  Breeze watched the pram briskly roll down the hill towards the congested crossroad and her reaction was instinctive. Breeze’s trainers began to glow as she sprinted after the baby. Her speed increased expeditiously and within seconds, Breeze grasped the pram by the handle. The front two wheels hung on the curb of the pavement as a lorry drove past, blaring his horn in condemnation. Bystanders looked on in disbelief and a wave of applause flowed through the street.

  “Blimey! You’ve got some legs on ya, girl! Is the baby all right?” asked Tracey, the owner of the local café. Breeze delicately pulled back the blanket and stared at the pram in confusion.

  “Baby? … A cat?” Breeze muttered.

  Before she could comprehend what had just happened, Breeze was joined by Bella and the cat’s owner.

  “Oh, you saved her, my baby! Thank you,” she said, stroking the cat’s back. “She’s a rare breed, a Peterbald. Only two weeks old. I haven’t even named her yet. Thank you so much, sweetheart. How can I ever repay you?”

  “Oh, it’s fine, you don’t need to repay me,” Breeze insisted.

  “Well, thank you once again. You’re a special young lady. You saved my baby’s life! The way you ran was remarkable. You’re very talented!”

  “You’re a hero, Breeze! Here, you dropped your keys,” said Bella.

  Breeze was overcome with timidity, “Ah stop, guys… thank you.”

  “Breeze… hmm. I think that works, she looks like a Breeze, don’t you think?” said the woman, holding up her cat like its name should really be Simba.

  “Yeah, you’re right. I think she looks just like Breeze, um, I mean, like a Breeze,” Bella teased as Breeze looked at her from the corner of her eye.

  “Well, that’s it, then. Baby Breeze! In honour of her hero. I must dash ladies, have a fabulous day! Ta-ta! Say ‘ta-ta’, Breeze,” she said, waving her cat’s paw.

  “Ta-ta — oh, you mean the cat… of course,” Breeze replied. Bella burst into laught
er. “You’re not funny, Bella.”

  “I’m hilarious, and you love it! You actually said, ‘ta-ta’! Wow, you’re too much, you know. Baby Breeze and that. I see the resemblance, still.”

  “You done?”

  “Yeah, for now. Seriously, though, well done, Breezy. That was proper sick.”

  “Thanks, Bell.”

  Breeze began to think earnestly when she noticed a homeless woman sitting outside Tracey’s café. She looked down at the keys in her hands and eyes were fixed on her keyring with her lucky penny.

  “One second, Bella. I’ve gotta do something real quick.”

  “Ok, cool.”

  Bella followed Breeze into the café as Tracey was serving another customer. “Here you go, Sir. One ham and cheese toastie and a hot chocolate with extra whipped cream.”

  “Beautiful! Thanks, Trace,” he replied.

  “What can I get you two ladies?”

  Breeze was distracted by the man Tracey had just served. “Um…”

  “Breeze?” said Bella.

  “Sorry, sorry. I’m listening. It’s just that guy… he looks… don’t worry. Can I get a ham and cheese toastie and a hot chocolate too, please?”

  “There must be something in the air!” Tracey chuckled. “It’ll be about five minutes, love. Take a seat.”

  Breeze couldn’t stop looking at the customer as he ate his lunch.

  “Stop staring, Breeze, it’s rude.”

  “Sorry, I know. It’s just… I swear I know that man.”

  “Really? Then you should go and say ‘hi’.”

  “Yeah, but I’m not sure, he looks different to how I remember. I can’t see him properly, his hat’s in the way. It’s been ages since I’ve seen him… like, four years.”

  “Well, do you know him or not?”

  “I think I do… I’m gonna go and say ‘hi’.”

  “That’s what I just said, Breeze!”

  But just as Breeze stood up, Tracey called out, “It’s ready, girls! You can have this on the house, love. You deserve it after saving that baby… cat.”

  “Thank you, Tracey!”

  “That was delicious, Trace,” said the customer. “You’ve got the best ham and cheese toasties in town, I tell ya! I’ve gotta go. I’ve left a tip there for ya. See ya later!” he said as he rushed through the door.

  “See ya later, Lance.”

  “Lance…” said Breeze. “Lance!” Breeze ran after him and looked up and down the street, but he had gone.

  “What was that about, Breeze?”

  “I did know him, Bell… now he’s gone.”

  “Sorry, Breeze, I’m sure you’ll see him again.”

  “Who? Lance? Yeah, you will. He’s one of my regulars. Anyhoo, enjoy!” said Tracey as she handed Breeze her order.

  Although this wasn’t Breeze’s first time, it had been a while and she was still nervous as she approached the homeless woman. Fortunately, she knew just what to say.

  “Hi, my name is Breeze. What’s your name?”

  “Esmeralda.”

  “Hi, Esmeralda. We got you a toastie and a hot chocolate. I hope you like it.”

  Esmeralda spoke very little English, but it was clear that she was grateful. She held her hands together like she was saying a prayer and bowed repeatedly.

  “Have a good day,” said Breeze.

  “Have a good day. That was so cool, Breezy. We should do things like that more often.”

  “Yeah, we should… You know, today’s really made me think. Saving the cat — seeing Lance again. That’s what I should be using these trainers for, Bella. To help people; to do good.” Bella began to smile at her best friend. “Why are you looking at me like that? Do I sound silly? I sound silly, forget it.”

  “No,” Bella interjected, “you don’t sound silly, you sound like… like Breeze again, the Breeze I know.”

  “Aww, softy Bella at it again! Last one to my house does the dishes!” said Breeze, sprinting up the hill.

  “What! That’s not even fair! Breeze! Come back!” Bella called pointlessly. “I thought you just said that you were going to use your kicks to help people,” she grumbled and began to jog up the hill.

  When Bella arrived at the house, Breeze had already changed into her tracksuit and was laying on her bed.”

  “That – ain’t – even – fair,” Bella panted.

  “Yes, it is. Payback. You don’t remember pushing me to the ground and running off at the arena?”

  “That was months ago, Breeze!”

  “Yeah it was, and now we’re even.”

  “Hmm, well I ain’t washing no dishes,” said Bella, collapsing onto Breeze’s bed.

  “Yes, you are.”

  “No, I’m not.”

  “Yes, you are.”

  “Make me.”

  “Yeah? You sure about that?” Breeze grabbed a pillow and was just about to attack Bella with it when she noticed a light, radiating from underneath her cupboard.

  “Too slow!” said Bella, striking Breeze with a pillow, but Breeze did not react.

  “Bell — Bella, do you see that?”

  “Don’t try it! I’m not falling for that!”

  “No, seriously. Look,” Breeze pointed towards the corner of her room.

  “Oh yeah. What’s that coming from?”

  “I don’t know, Bell. I’ve never seen it before.”

  “Well … go and see what it is, then.”

  “No, you go and see.”

  “It’s your bedroom, Breeze.”

  “Yeah, but – I’m scared.”

  “Are you joking?” Bella giggled. “What could possibly be scary in your own bedroom? Ah, fine.”

  Bella approached the cupboard and saw that the light was coming from inside the shoebox for Breeze’s birthday trainers. “Here. Open it.”

  Cautiously, Breeze opened the box, revealing an envelope with a card in it. “That’s weird, I didn’t see that in here before.”

  “Read it.”

  Breeze opened the card and it said:

  Dear Breeze,

  Happy belated birthday! I’m glad that you like your trainers, they were custom-made especially for you! Now that you have mastered your trainers and realised their true purpose, to help others, you are ready to complete your first mission. If you succeed, you will help to maintain Aspire Academy’s sports specialism and save your school’s arena.

  I am sure that you are aware of the Aspire Coat of Arms at the entrance of your school, outside Mrs Banjo’s office. If you look at it very closely, you will notice that there are three medals out of four missing from it. These medals belonged to former students of your school who went on to become very successful athletes. They are invaluable. However, they were stolen over fifty years ago and despite the public scandal this caused and police investigations, no one has been able to retrieve them. No one until now. Breeze, you have the power to find these medals and return them to their rightful place. Your customised trainers will assist you. Although you have mastered the trigger points perfectly and are able to run up to 100 mph, you have not discovered the ‘Boundless and Beyond’ speed. This is activated when you click your heels together (sort of like Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz). Once activated, you will be able to run so fast that you will become undetectable to the naked eye.

  How will you find the medals you ask? Good question. Enclosed in this envelope are four cards. You must solve the clues on each card to locate the medals. Then, with the help of your trainers, you will be able to get them in a breeze! (See what I did there?). Finally, the fourth card belongs the former athlete whose medal currently remains in the coat of arms. This athlete is the final piece in saving the arena. Once you retrieve the medals, return them to this person and your mission will be complete.

  You’re probably wondering who I am, and soon you’ll find out. It’s been years since you’ve seen me, but I’ve always been close by. I’ve watched you grow into a smart, brave, and kind-hearted person; I always knew that you
would. Just know that I have a lot of faith in you, Breeze.

  I know you must have many other questions, and I assure you that they will all be answered in due course. For now, rest assured in the gut feeling that you have had recently: that there’s been something magical about the last few months. Discovering the trainers, the way they are destined for your feet, the power they give you. Everything has been leading to this moment. With the help of your best friend, Bella, you will save your school.

  ​

  Good luck,

  Your faithful friend.

  ​

  P.S. one final tip: remember to follow the glow.

  Bella and Breeze had a rare experience: they were both speechless. Minutes had passed and not a single word was spoken. They would look at each other and then the letter, followed by Breeze’s trainers, and repeated this sequence, but they did not speak.

  Bella was the first to break the silence. “Try it.”

  “What?”

  “The trainers… Dorothy… click the heels.”

  “Are you joking! Don’t you remember what happened the last time I clicked my heels? You called me Bambi!”

  “Breeze, that’s the only way that we will know if this is real. That this ain’t some weird prank. Come on, if this is true, Breeze, if this card is legit, you could save our arena… Try it.”

  With trepidation, Breeze stood to her feet and looked to Bella for guidance.

  “It’s ok, Breeze. You’ve mastered them now. You don’t need to run far. Just click your heels, run downstairs to the kitchen and back again.”

  “Ok. Just click and run.”

  “That’s it, click and run.”

  Breeze clicked her heels and took her first stride. “Done it,” she said.

  “What do you mean done it?” replied Bella.

  “I ran to the kitchen and back.”

  “No, you didn’t, Breezy. Come on, stop messing around.”

  “Bella? You mean you didn’t see me go and come back? … Oh my days! It’s true. It works. This is mad!”

  “No way! You’re being serious. I wasn’t watching properly, so I must’ve missed it. Do it again.”

  “Ok.”

  “Wait! Bring something back from the fridge so I’m one hundred percent sure.”