Amuse bouche... Clear out

‘W hy is your mum throwing out jellies?” Toby asked Dylan. “It’s nearly Christmas,” said Dylan.

“My mum says it’s not,” said Toby. “My mum said it’s not Christmas until December and that people who start too early are common.”

“What does that mean?’ asked Dylan.

“I don’t know,” said Toby. “But my dad says you can’t say that any more.”

“My dad says you can’t say anything any more,” said Dylan.

“Yeah, but what about the jellies?” said Toby. “They’re still in their bags. My mum only throws them out if they’re out of their bags and, like, in the carpet or something.”

“She says she’s making room,” said Dylan.

“What for?” asked Toby.

“For Christmas. I already told you,” said Dylan.

“Are they your Halloween jellies?” asked Toby.

“S’pose,” said Dylan.

“Do you not want them?” asked Toby.

“I did,” said Dylan. “I had them in my own big jar, and I wrapped Halloween tape around it and everything so my sisters couldn’t get any, but Mum always needs to make space for Christmas, so if I don’t eat them, then she throws them out.”

“I think my mum would say that’s a terrible waste,” said Toby. “Why didn’t you eat them?”

“The tape was very sticky to get off,” said Dylan. “And then I think I forgot.”

“Do you like jellies?” asked Toby.

“Not really,” said Dylan. “Then why did you take them at Halloween?” asked Toby.

“Because it was Halloween,” said Dylan. “And it was all they had at most of the houses. And I wanted to have the most in the family.” “Did you?” asked Toby. “Yes,” said Dylan. “One of my sisters tried to steal some when she ate all of hers, but I caught her, and I told my mum, and she said something to her about fitting into her clothes and my sister said that it was ashaming or something.”

“Sisters are weird,” said

Toby. “What will your mum get instead of the jellies?” asked Toby.

“Biscuits,” said Dylan. “All different ones. And sweets. In boxes, but with sticky tape all around the lid, so me and my sisters can’t eat them now.”

“When are you allowed to eat them?” asked Toby. “Christmas,” said Dylan. “When’s that?” asked Toby. “Ages,” said Dylan.

“As soon as it’s Christmas, you should eat them all,” said Toby. “No saving.”

“No waste,” said Dylan. “That would be common,” said Toby.

“Exactly,” said Dylan.