21 A CHANGE IN FORTUNEA few days later, Lek’s mother ran into the shop, saying that there would be some important news on the TV at one o’clock, in five minutes time. Ayr fetched the portable from their rest area, plugged it in on a stand behind the counter and switched it on. They sat around waiting anxiously for the state news programme to begin.
“There has been widespread flooding up north,” prompted Lek’s mother, “and rumour has it that there is a lot of water heading our way. Khun Chan across the road had a phone call from her son-in-law this morning... She’s a terrible gossip, but she might be right. It has been known once or twice before...”. She grinned at her own witticism.
However, the news broadcaster confirmed Khun Chan’s prediction. There had been unexpectedly higher than no
