6 months

I wake up to see a strange face peering over me, a kind face. She picks me up and holds me gently.

'Oh Mother, she's beautiful' this strange person whispers

'I know she is' comes a familiar voice, my mother's voice.

'I squirm and kick my chubby limbs and twist my head trying to look for her.

'Abby, I'm here' she says appearing next to this strange lady who is holding me. I calm and settle in this woman's arms at the sight of my mother's familiar red hair. I look up at the lady holding me, she has this magnificent mane of curly hair and I have this sudden urge to touch it.

'Ouch!' she exclaims, struggling against my strong grasp, I tug on her hair marvelling at its springiness. 'Abby, please can you let go of my hair' she asks but I hold on. Finally she manages to unwind her precious hair from my little fingers and I screw my eyes up in frustration. As if she can sense that my tears are about to fall, she rocks me back and forth making these soothing shushing noises. 'Please don't cry'

I look back up at her and my eyes meet her eyes, exactly identical to mine, I blink in shock. 'Hi Abby I'm your sister Melody' she says. I don't know what that word means but I guess it means something good.