My Sister Jodie Read online

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  We’ll never go back, Mum and Dad and me. We couldn’t bear to see that tower ever again. We live in London now, in a large block of flats. We live rent-free because Dad is the caretaker and odd-job man for the whole estate. Mum doesn’t work yet.

  She’s still too tired and anxious and haunted by the past, plus she’s kept busy looking after you. We have the garden flat, so we can wheel you out onto the small strip of grass. You’ve had such a happy first summer, lying on your mat, kicking your little wrinkled heels in the sunshine.

  You were born in May so that’s what we’ve called you. Our little May. I sometimes call you Queen of the May and dress you up in your long white christening frock and string garlands of daisies round your neck.

  I wasn’t sure I’d like you at first, let alone love you. I thought I’d used up all my love on Jodie. I so wanted you to look like Jodie, be like Jodie. But you’re not a bit like her, you’re not like me either, you’re utterly yourself. You’re pink and plump and so serene, smiling and holding out your starfish hands whenever you see me. I can make you screw up your lovely blue eyes and give small giggly gurgles whenever I kiss your fat tummy. That’s the only thing that reminds me of Jodie, that little laugh. You laugh a lot, May, because you’re so happy, and you don’t yet understand why Mum and Dad and I are still so sad.

  I’m trying to get on with my life even so. I read, I write, I do my homework. I go to Greenhill, the big secondary school down the road. It was pretty scary the first few weeks, but I’m OK now, really. I’ve got friends – though there’s no one like Harley. I like 398

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  most of the teachers, especially Mrs Goodhew, who takes us for English. She’s encouraging me to write stories. She has no idea I’ve written the most important true-life story in the world in this book.

  It’s all for you, May. You’re my baby sister and I love you with all my heart and I’ll always look after you. If anyone teases you or hurts you or scares you when you go to school, I’ll make mincemeat of them, I promise you. But I’ll never ever be such a great big sister as Jodie. She’s your sister too, May, and she always will be. You’ll understand why when you’re old enough to read this story. We’re never going to forget our sister Jodie.

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  Document Outline

  Front Cover

  Frontmatter Title

  By the Same Author

  Title Page

  Epub Copyright Page

  Dedication

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26