I returned to my new seat, feeling rather pleased with myself.
Then my fingers brushed against the remote in my pocket.
And I remembered that my grandson’s new friend had a few more tricks up her sleeve.
Back in my new seat, I took the remote from my cardigan pocket and examined it.
There were three little buttons, each marked with a different symbol. I remembered the shop assistant demonstrating them when I’d bought the doll.
I pressed the first one.
“Khhhhhh… hhhhhh… khhhhh…”
The woman froze. Slowly, she turned toward the doll.
Its crooked smile hadn’t changed.
“Hhhhh… khhhh… haaaaa…”
“What was that?!”
The attendant approached.
I quickly switched off the sound.
The woman waved frantically at the flight attendant.
“That thing is breathing!”
The attendant glanced at the motionless doll.
“Ma’am, it’s a toy.”
“I know it’s a toy! But it’s making noises!”
The attendant leaned closer and listened.
