Sally, who is six, is far too quiet, too withdrawn. But few seem to notice this except Kompel Vasisht. She and her parents run the corner shop, and when Sally comes in to shop for her mum, Kompel's parents often refuse her the cigarettes her mum sends her for. Sally's mum wants everything on tick, and she rarely pays her bill. Kompel wants to make Sally smile, but this is impossible, and it becomes important to Kompel to do something to make Sally happy. She manages to fix it so that Sally will be May Queen, and in being fitted for a costume, Sally's arms are found to have horrid marks on them. Social Services are brought in and Sally's parents are confronted with their guilt. Things get better for Sally, but life is always going to be rough, and Sally does not suddenly become a nice child though more assertive. Very honest. Good black and white illustrations.