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Sarah Sues Santa – P.J. Leonard

Chapter Ten: Aunt Tilly and Uncle Foster

"Oh, that reminds me," said Mum, glancing at the clock on the wall, "I've invited Uncle Foster,
Aunt Tilly and their families around for Christmas dinner. They should be here in about an hour.
Best start getting ready."
Sarah's heart leapt. Uncle Foster? Aunt Tilly? She hadn't seen them in ages! Uncle Foster was
always so funny, and Aunt Tilly always gave her extra sweets when Mum and Dad weren't looking.
Did that mean cousin Lisa was coming too? Lisa was like a sister to Sarah. She hadn't seen her
since last Christmas!
"Go and play, dear!" Said Dad, tapping her on the head, "We're gonna start cooking."
Sarah skipped up the stairs, her presents in her hands and feeling as though a balloon were inflating
in her chest. She threw herself into her old mattress and immediately opened the first book: 'The
Adventures of Uberwoman: the Mystical Woods.' She'd been so focused on getting the Uberwoman
figure all year that she completely forgot about the new books. Hugging her new toy dog and
munching on chocolate, she disappeared into the pages of the book as Uberwoman made her way
through the strange woods towards the secret Tribe of the Seven Colours.
Before she knew it, there was a loud knock on the door, and the loud booming voice of Uncle
Foster and the high-pitched laughter of Aunt Tilly made its way to her ears. She pulled herself out
of the book - and I was just getting to a really good part! - and stood atop the stairs.
Uncle Foster and Aunt Tilly were covered in snow, and Sarah shivered from the cold they carried in
with them. As they brushed themselves off, Sarah saw that they too weren't quite as she
remembered them: Aunt Tilly, who normally wore really nice clothes, was wearing a brown sweater
that looked really itchy. Uncle Foster wore a cheesy Christmas sweater with knitted reindeer and
snowflakes on it. He looked up at Sarah through his big thick glasses.
"Well now, would you look at that!" She grinned, "Little Sarah ain't so little anymore! Come and
give your Uncle a hug."
Sarah ran down the stairs and jumped into his arms.
"Whoops!" He staggered backwards, crashed into Aunt Tilly and they all toppled to the floor in a
big heap.
"Careful, Foster!" Dad laughed, "You're going to scratch the door. Again."
"She's gotten big, ain't she?" said Uncle Foster, "What have you been feeding her? Spanners and
hammers?"
"She's growing up to be a fine young lady," said Tilly, holding her hands and looking over her as
though she were a doctor checking a patient. She she let go, Sarah felt the crinkle of a sweet
wrapper in her hand. Aunt Tilly winked at her.
"And she's not the only one," said Mum, eyes wide, hand over her mouth, "Is that Lisa?"
Sarah spun around so fast that she nearly fell over again. Sure enough, there was Lisa, her fine
blonde hair floating around her face even though there was no breeze.
"Hi Aunt Pebbleton!" she said cheerfully, then she eyed Sarah mischievously.
"You ready for a snowball fight?"
Sarah grinned back.

Sarah stepped out into the cold Christmas morning, clicking the door of number 12 shut behind her.
The real street she lived in wasn't anything special, with lines of semi-detached houses on a road
lined with cars parked on the pavements. But this street was really narrow, and the houses were two
long rows of terraced housing on either side. With the snow on top, they looked like two long
straight Christmas puddings. Lots of other kids from the street were out playing in the snow as well.

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