Read Online Diamond Girls by Jacqueline Wilson - Free Book Online Page B

coffin and painted it black with a tiny portrait of the mouse on the top in a little oval with REST IN PEACE underneath. I put the mouse in one of my socks and then lined the coffin with Mum’s old silky petticoat and I had a proper funeral. My sister Jude came to it, though she said I was weird. She helped me dig a hole down the rec and we buried the mouse. I made a little cross out of lolly sticks. My other sisters teased me and said I was taking after my dad. He’s an embalmer, you see. They always tease me. You know what sisters are like.’
    She was staring at me as if I was talking a foreign language.
    â€˜Do you have a sister?’
    She shook her head.
    â€˜I’ll lend you one of mine if you like! I’ve got three.’
    She took me seriously and shook her head, her little plaits bobbing on her shoulders. They were pulled so tight they looked like they might give her a headache. I could see a little blue vein throbbing on her forehead.
    â€˜Here,’ I said, reaching right over the gate to untie a plait for her.
    She stepped backwards, fending me off. ‘No! Don’t! You mustn’t!’
    â€˜I’m only going to loosen your plaits and make them comfier for you.’
    â€˜No! Please don’t. I’m not allowed to untie them,’ she said.
    â€˜OK. Sorry. You’ve got very pretty hair. I wish mine was really blonde, not mouse. Rochelle’s got blonde hair too. She’s the sister next to me. I’m the youngest so far. Until my brother gets born. Have you got any brothers?’
    â€˜There’s only me.’
    â€˜That must be so peaceful! And you get brand-new toys and clothes and never have to take turns. You can have a go on your swing whenever you want.’
    I waited hopefully, wishing she’d invite
me
to have a swing. She didn’t take the hint.
    I sighed, leaning further over the gate, though it was starting to cut into my chest. ‘We’re always arguing, us four. Soon we’ll be five. Like I said, my mum’s having a baby. She says he’s going to be called Sundance but maybe she’ll change her mind.’
    â€˜Is Sundance a real name?’
    â€˜Well, it’s weird, isn’t it? We’ve all got funny names. Not like Mary. That’s a nice sensible name.’
    â€˜It’s a holy name. Jesus’ mother was called Mary. She was very very holy and good. But I’m not.’ Mary hugged her chest. There were goose pimples on her little white stick arms.
    â€˜You’re cold. Here, put my cardie on.’
    I fiddled with the latch on the gate, and suddenly it swung open. ‘There!’ I said, marching in.
    Mary looked very worried.
    â€˜It’s OK. I’m not going to do anything. I won’t even have a swing, not if you don’t want me to. I just want to warm you up with my cardie.’
    Mary hunched her elbows against her sides so I couldn’t get her arms in the sleeves.
    â€˜Go on, I’m ever so warm.’
    â€˜I’m not allowed,’ said Mary.
    â€˜Yes you are. I’m not
giving
you my cardie, it’s just to warm you up a bit.’
    Mary let her arms grow limp. I draped the cardigan round her.
    â€˜There! It’s a lovely blue, isn’t it? It’s gone a bit bobbly now but it’s still beautiful. My dad bought it for me. Do you have a dad, Mary?’
    â€˜Yes, but he drives a coach so he’s not home much,’ said Mary. ‘I wish he was home all the time.’
    â€˜Never mind. I don’t get to see my dad much at all. He doesn’t live with us, see. But it’s OK, not having a dad around, just so long as you’ve got your mum.’
    Mary stayed very still. She shivered, even though she was smothered in my cardigan.
    I looked over at the swing. I took a step towards it. Mary looked more and more worried.
    â€˜It’s OK, Mary. I just want to play.’
    â€˜I’m not really allowed to have someone in to