I Think My Dad Is a Spy by Sognia Vassallo Page A

some silly excuse that it had something to do with Chelsea’s holiday visa! It all sounded strange to me; even Theo and Janice didn’t think his excuses were good ones.
    I have been way too busy with school and the parcel run to do any more proper snooping and with Grandma around I am supposed to be on my best behaviour. Grandma has graduated off her crutches and is using a walking stick. This is actually really bad for me because she caught me answering back to Dad the other day and she whacked me across the ankles with it…fudgeeee it hurt.
    I told Dad that if she does it again I will tell someone who cares, but Dad warned me that Grandma’s a tough old nut and she doesn’t scare easily.
    He got the ‘old nut’ thing right, sometimes I think she’s loopy, she says the strangest things in her sleep. And guess what? She keeps a small gun under her pillow. She says it’s not a real one but robbers don’t know that. She’s crazy if you ask me!!!
    Dad and Chelsea had their official engagement party tonight at the town hall; it was okay I guess. Practically the whole town was invited except for Tony t he taxi driver!
    I am sooooo tired and I need to get s ome sleep because tomorrow morning we have to pick up Chelsea and take her and Dad to the airport. Goodnight!!!

Journal entry:
Sunday, 8:32 pm
    You are not going to believe what happened today! This morning we took Dad and Chelsea to the airport because they are flying to Moscow.
    Chelsea rang me super early this morning and asked me if I wouldn’t mind gathering a few photographs of myself so she could show her father. It was a hard task and it took me ages to narrow it down to only five of the best photos that I thought summed up my twelve and a half years superbly.
    It was nearly time to leave, I had eaten breakfast, was nicely dressed and had my photographs all ready to go—but I couldn’t seem to find Dad or Grandma anywhere.
    I called out to them but they didn’t answer me. I looked in every room, but they weren’t there. I even checked the garage to make sure they hadn’t left without me.
    Hmm that’s strange, I thought. Where could they be? Suddenly I realised Dad could be at the post office showing Grandma a few last minute things because Grandma and Michael were going to share the office duties until Dad and Chelsea got back from their holiday.
    I dashed out of the back door and across the lawn towards the huge building that backed onto our yard. I noticed the side door of the warehouse was slightly open and I could hear Grandma talking to someone.
    I was just about to burst in when I heard Grandma say clearly, “I don’t like the idea that you are mixing business with pleasure Joseph. It’s very dangerous taking Chelsea along with you on this mission.”
    Instantly my ears prickled with excitement. What mission? I thought as I tiptoed closer to the door. I peeked through the slim opening and could see Grandma standing at the far side of the depot, but I couldn’t see Dad anywhere.
    â€œPlease keep Chelsea as safe as possible Joseph. I don’t want her getting caught up in all this.”
    Grandma sounded worried as she spoke towards the floor. That’s when I caught a glimpse of Dad, who was kneeling down in front of Grandma. It looked like he was pulling something shiny out from the floor but I couldn’t see what it was. Grandma’s bandaged leg was blocking my view.
    â€œMother, how long have I been going out on missions?” Dad asked her jokingly.
    â€œNot as long as I have,” she snapped. “This isn’t a joke Joseph. Zoe Zinnercov is a slippery double agent, she’s extremely dangerous and she can’t be trusted! She has already slipped through our fingers once in New York and who knows what she’s capable of in Moscow?” Grandma scowled.
    â€œLook Joseph, I just feel so responsible that you have had to go in my place because