Summary

“The Chemist’s Assistant” by Moya Roddy tells the story of Colette, a young girl living with her parents and her sister Anne. Colette begins her story by explaining that her father had beaten her because she stole money to buy some sweets. That Saturday, because she is being punished, Colette simply spends her time sitting on a wall and thinking about the movies she could have seen at the cinema if she hadn’t been caught stealing. Her mother and a neighbour soon arrive and talk about the new chemist’s assistant. Colette is curious and decides to see the new employee.

Colette loves the chemist’s because it is filled with girly things, such as makeup and perfume. When she enters the shop, she notices that the chemist’s assistant is black and she is surprised ...