Page 26 - My FlipBook

Sarah Sues Santa – P.J. Leonard

computers, it sounded. Sarah found it all a little bit boring, so she and Lisa sat in the corner of the
room reading books and playing with Lisa’s new card game. After the soap opera, everyone turned
to watch that really funny comedy that everyone liked. There were lots of famous special guests and
singing of Christmas songs, and by the time it finished it was dark outside.
The adults started playing a game which Sarah had never heard of before, but looked fun so she
decided to join in: everyone had a sticky note of a celebrity on their forehead which they couldn’t
see, but they could ask questions about and try to guess who it was. Sarah wasn’t sure how it
worked at first, but the more she played, the more she liked it. Sarah had put the word
‘Uberwoman’ on Uncle Foster’s forehead, and she and Lisa laughed as he asked lots of questions
and scratched his head, wondering who it could possibly be.
When Uncle Foster's face was as red as a beetroot and looked like he was about to fall out of his
chair and Lisa was yawning twice a minute, Aunt Tilly stood up.
"I think it's about time we left you alone," she said. Uncle Foster stood up too, swaying on the spot.
"But I don't wanna go!" Lisa said though another yawn.
"Neither do I, dear," said Aunt Tilly, "But we'll be back soon so you can play again with Sarah. We
promise."
All the adults exchanged hugs as they headed towards the door. Uncle Foster, Aunt Tilly and Lisa
put on their coats, and so did Sarah.
"I'll see you out to the car," she said, and Sarah followed them out into the night. The streetlights
glowed yellow, shining down on the snow and turning it to the color of butter. Uncle Foster, Aunt
Tilly and Lisa all climbed into the car, with Aunt Tilly at the steering wheel.
"Thanks for the lovely day," said Aunt Tilly as she turned on the engine, "We'll see you all again
soon."
The car steered away through the thick snow, and Lisa waved at her through the back window.
Sarah waved back, and kept waving until the car turned the corner and disappeared. Sarah put her
hands into her pockets and let out a long sigh. Steam floated out of her mouth, and she shivered,
even though inside she felt all warm and cozy. What an amazing Christmas Day! Even though this
version of her family were poorer than her real family and much, much poorer than the rich family,
she'd had a much better time here than she could have ever dreamed of. Maybe...maybe I could stay
here?

She turned, and was about to head back into the house when she spotted something that made her
heart sink as low as her stomach. Through the iced window of number 12, Sarah could just about
make out Mum and Dad in the living room. Dad had her arm around Mum, and Mum was leaning
forward, head in her hands. Like she was crying.

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