2 Disaster

I can’t believe it. Dad says I can’t go to the roller disco. I beg and beg, but he says he needs to sleep before his night shift so he can’t take me. He won’t let me go alone. Val can’t take me either because she’s working. Meg and Lily are allowed to go and they promised to look after me, but Dad won’t change his mind. It’s so unfair.

Dad wasn’t always this strict. He used to be the easy-going one compared to Mum.

That all changed when Mum died. Now he’s no fun. Every time I ask him if I can do something, the answer is “No, it’s too dangerous”, or “You’re not old enough, Ella”. He says that it’s up to him alone to look after me now Mum is gone.

Before Val goes to work, she gives me a big hug and tells me Dad is only trying to take care of me. I know this, but it’s still unfair. What’s dangerous about a roller disco in a youth club?

I try to smile for a photo with Meg and Lily, but it’s not easy when I feel so angry with Dad.

Once Val, Meg and Lily have left, the house feels empty. To cheer myself up, I put on Mum’s roller skates. I roller skate around the house, listening to music and dusting photos of me and Mum. I miss her.

3 A miracle

I love the photo in my scrapbook of Mum and Dad smiling over my cot, but I wish he’d stop treating me like I’m still a baby.

Dad is sleeping upstairs before he goes to work on the night bus.

Then I hear a key turn in the lock.

It’s Val and she’s got her finger to her lips.

“Did you forget something?” I whisper to her.

She takes my hand and says: “I talked to my boss. She says I can go into work later. Now Ella, let’s sort out an outfit for the roller disco.”

We find one of Mum’s roller-skating outfits. It’s too big and there’s a tear in the skirt. Before I know it, Val is mending it on her sewing machine. Meanwhile, I polish my mum’s roller skates until they sparkle. They look as good as new.

I try on the outfit – it fits perfectly. The sequins shimmer in the light. Suddenly, I feel shy. I love it, but is it too showy? Then Val says: “Meg and Lily aren’t great at keeping secrets, so how about we add a bit of mystery?” She pulls out a glittering, purple mask. “Time to go, Ella. You don’t want to miss the competition.”

My shoulders drop. What about Dad?

“He won’t be awake for hours,” replies Val. “I’ll wait for you in the café next to the youth club. Let’s leave him a note in case he wakes up early and worries where you are. Just make sure you leave by seven. He wouldn’t want you to stay out too late.”

I give her a huge hug. She’s the best!