The Apology Written on the Back of a Till Receipt

Mia has a problem. Her sister, Jess, is angry. It is Tuesday. They are not talking. The house is quiet. Yesterday, Mia said something bad. She said Jess is selfish. Jess's face went red. She walked to her room and closed the door.

Now it is morning. Mia wants to say sorry. But the words are not easy. Mia sits at the kitchen table. She has a pen. She wants to write a card, but there is no card. She looks in her bag. She finds an old receipt from the supermarket. It is small and white. She turns it over. The back is empty.

She writes: 'Jess. I am sorry. I am wrong. You help a lot. Please talk to me. — Mia.' She puts the receipt under Jess's door. She goes back to the kitchen. She waits. Five minutes later, the door opens. Jess comes out with the receipt. Her face is not angry now.

'A supermarket receipt?' Jess asks. 'It is all I have,' Mia says. Jess sits down next to Mia. She puts the receipt on the table carefully. 'Okay,' Jess says. 'Okay.' Mia relaxes. 'Tea?' Mia asks. 'Yes,' Jess says. 'Tea.'