A sneak preview, just for you

I don't usually share snippets of my writing. This is because I want to encourage the rest of you, not cause you to throw your pencils down and yell, "WHY? Why in the name of Laurie Halse Anderson do I continue to write at all when I will never compare with the literary genius of Jacqui?!"

But, as a special reward, to thank you for all your help with The Tale of Ant, here is a sneak preview for you lucky loyal readers.*

I present to you, in exciting blue font, the end of chapter 8 and the beginning of chapter 9, as they appeared in submission to my critique group** last week:

...
“You know what that is?” Devra asks.
“Part of a phone number?” Ant guesses.
“Possibly. But it’s also our first real clue.”
Ant opens his mouth to say something clever, but he never gets it out.
(Dear critique group, what does Ant see? I am at a loss. Think of something, please.)

Chapter 9
(Critique group, this is where they will quickly resolve the issue you made up from last chapter)
They sit at the teacher’s lounge table with the scribbled numbers and the pastries between them. Or rather, Devra sits. Ant starts in a chair, but soon takes his pastry on the move...

Are you breathless at my brilliance?
Sigh.

* both of you
** bless their patient, tolerant souls