Read Online Longest Whale Song by Jacqueline Wilson - Free Book Online Page B

me.
    â€˜Dad!’ I shout, bursting out the door. He’s come for me! He’s going to make everything all right! He’ll stay this time – he’ll look after me just like a real dad . . . But it
isn’t
Dad. It’s just Jack, standing there in his stupid old jacket, nibbling his thumb and looking anxious.
    â€˜He’s not my
dad
,’ I say, turning on Sally. ‘Why did you say he was my dad? You know he’s only my stepdad! That was so
mean
, Sally!’
    â€˜I’m sorry. Don’t get mad at me. I
meant
your stepdad. I just didn’t say the step bit. And anyway, how could it be your real dad? You haven’t seen him for years and years, you know you haven’t,’ Sally says.
    â€˜Well, I’m seeing him any day now, you wait and see,’ I say.
    I run up to Jack. ‘Did you phone my dad?’
    â€˜What?’
    â€˜My
dad
. You said you’d get in touch – but you didn’t!’ I say.
    â€˜Hey, hey, calm down. I found a number in your mum’s address book. He didn’t answer, but I left a message. Don’t look at me like that, Ella. I promise I did.’
    I don’t think I believe him.
    â€˜What did you say?’
    â€˜I said Sue’s very ill and it’s obviously veryupsetting for you, and you need him,’ Jack says.
    â€˜Oh.’
    Sally and Dory and Martha walk past, staring. Sally knows Jack because she’s been on a sleepover at our new house.
    â€˜We’re so sorry about Ella’s mum,’ she says.
    â€˜Thank you, Sally,’ Jack says.
    Then Sally’s mum gets out of her car and comes over, and she and Jack yatter away about Mum. Dory goes off to find her own mum, and Martha goes into the hall for after-school club. Then Joseph comes out, clutching his big whale book to his chest. He nods at me and I nod back.
    â€˜What are you nodding at him for?’ Sally asks. ‘I can’t stick Joseph. He’s such a swot.’
    â€˜Yes, I know he’s a swot, but I like him,’ I say.
    â€˜You’re mad!’ says Sally.
    Sally’s mum hears and gives her a little shake. ‘Are you being nasty to Ella?’ she says, sounding horrified.
    â€˜No, Mum!’
    â€˜I should hope not. Ella, I was wondering, would you like to come to tea today, while your dad – your stepdad – is so busy? In fact, would you like to stay the night, and then we could take you to school in the morning?’
    I normally love going to tea at Sally’s house. Hermum always makes cakes for us – proper cakes from scratch, not out of a packet – and we get to help and scrape out the mixing bowl afterwards. I think raw cake-mix tastes even nicer than baked cakes. Sally has her own computer in her bedroom so we can play about on that, and she’s got all these lovely long evening frocks in her dressing-up box so we can play we’re grown-up ladies at a dance. Sometimes we play pretend games with Benjy – we’re two explorers and he’s our faithful dog, or we’re two nurses and he’s our sick patient, or we’re two teachers and he’s our very naughty pupil.
    I so want to stay at Sally’s – butthen how can I visit Mum? And what about Dad – my real dad? If Jack’s being truthful – and actually I know he doesn’t usually lie about stuff like that – then Dad might ring tonight when he gets home from work. He might even drive to our house and take me back with him.
    â€˜I’m sorry, Mrs Edwards, but I can’t. Not tonight,’ I say.
    â€˜Oooh, Ella, please come!’ says Sally.
    â€˜It’s OK Ella. You go and have tea,’ says Jack.
    I shake my head. ‘I want to see
Mum
,’ I mumble.
    â€˜Well, perhaps you can come tomorrow then? Whenever you want to,’ says Mrs Edwards.
    â€˜You’re so kind,’ says Jack. ‘Right, Ella, we’ll go to the hospital and see Mum.’
    I