The Market Mystery — Year 4 Reading Comprehension Story

Every Saturday, Priya and her brother Jay helped on their uncle's flower stall at Ashford Market. Their uncle Deepak sold roses, sunflowers and bunches of sweet-smelling lavender that people bought to put in their kitchens.

But this particular Saturday, something was wrong.

"Three bunches of white roses," said Uncle Deepak, frowning at his stock. "I had twelve this morning. I've only sold four. Where have the other five gone?"

Priya started counting. It was true — five bunches were missing.

"Could someone have stolen them?" Jay asked.

Uncle Deepak shook his head. "I've been here all morning. No one came behind the stall."

Priya looked around the market. The flower stall was at the end of a long row. On one side was Mrs Okafor's fruit stall. On the other was an empty space — usually occupied by Mr Bellamy's cheese stall, but Mr Bellamy hadn't come today because of a cold.

"Who has been near the stall?" Priya asked.

"Just the usual people," said Uncle Deepak. "Mrs Okafor. The market manager, Mr Croft. And that man there — the one in the blue coat. He asked me about my prices, but then said they were too expensive and walked away."

Priya looked at the man in the blue coat. He was buying apples from Mrs Okafor. In his left hand he carried a large canvas bag.

"Did he have that bag when he came to our stall?" she asked.

"I don't remember," Uncle Deepak said.

Priya thought carefully. She looked at the space where Mr Bellamy's cheese stall would normally be — and noticed something. The ground there was not empty. There were five small puddles of water in a rough line, and a scattering of white petals.

"Uncle Deepak," she said slowly. "Where do you keep your spare stock?"

"Under the table, wrapped in damp paper to keep them fresh," he said.

Priya looked under the table. There was the damp paper — but no roses.

She looked again at the puddles. The water had dripped from something wet. Like flowers wrapped in wet paper.

She walked calmly to Mrs Okafor. "Did you see anyone go behind our stall from that side?" she asked, pointing to the empty space.

Mrs Okafor thought for a moment. "Mr Croft went past that way, come to think of it. Carrying something under his arm."

Priya went to find the market manager. She found him in his small office at the back of the market — arranging five bunches of white roses in a vase on his desk.

His face went very red when Priya walked in.

"I was going to pay," he said quickly. "I just forgot to mention it."

Priya folded her arms. "I think you'd better come and speak to my uncle," she said.