November 5th, 2003
Next weekend would be the one year anniversary of my joining the Sleepover Club. The Sleepover Club might sound like a dumb name, especially for a group of thirteen year old girls, but it isn't, not to us.
We have the best sleepover planned for the weekend. And nothing could go wrong. It's the anniversary of the club becoming five instead of four. it would be one of the most memorable moments in our lives.
It was the most memorable moment. But not in the way we expected.
….
"Dad? Dad!"
I couldn't believe it. I had slept through my alarm and I was definitely going to be last to school! I threw on my uniform and ran down the stairs, seeing my father standing in the kitchen, coffee in hand. My older brother, Will, was resting in his wheelchair as he glowered at our father.
"Dad?"
He looked at me, his face apologetic. "Rosie, sit."
I frowned, concerned and confused at the same time.
"I'm going to be late for school."
He sighed, setting his mug down. "You're not going to school today."
This was not good. At all.
"Why? You never let me skip school, not even if I'm not feeling well. You always tell me 'education is key.'"
"I don't know how to tell you this, Rosie…"
I swallowed hard. "Dad?"
"Your uncle was in an accident, and he is no longer able to run the company. I'm needed, Rosie. Family calls."
"But…" I was stunned. "The company? In England?"
"It's a family run company. I'm the only one left who is capable of running it, Rosie."
"Then you go. Let me and Rosie stay, dad," Will pleaded.
"William, you know I can't do that. I don't know when Jacob will recover from his accident. It could be months, it could be years."
"Years?" I exclaimed, horrified. "You just moved here a year ago." Than a thought dawned on me. "How am I going to tell the SOC's?"