-1January 1st 2001

Cassie Blake (age 5)

I was so nervous. Today was my first dance show. I couldn't wait. Mummy, Auntie Renee and Bella had all promised to come. I paced backstage.

"Calm down Cassie" said Miss Abigail "You'll be fine" I smiled and did a spin, letting my flimsy net skirt flair out.

"I can't wait!"

"I'm glad you're excited. You're on in a few minutes" I bounced up and down with excitement, stretching my legs.

"Time to go Cassie" I joined the line of girls, ready to go. We filled on. I peered into the audience and immediately spotted Bella and Auntie Renee in the front row but there was no sign of mummy. I closed my eyes to fight tears and carried on with my dance. She wasn't here. She hadn't come.

May 19th 2002

Cassie Blake (age 6)

I sat outside the school office. My eye was sore, my nose had blood dripping from it. I sighed and closed my eyes.

"Have you been getting into fights again?" asked Miss Abigail, walking past. She wasn't my teacher anymore and I missed her. I nodded. She crouched down beside me.

"Who was it this time?"

"Jordan Bright. He called me names. My mummy is supposed to be coming to get me" she nodded and left. A little while later, Auntie Renee arrived.

"Where's mummy?" I asked.

"I'm afraid she couldn't get off work" she smiled regretfully and took my hand. She led me to the car and drove me home.

"Hey Cassie" said Bella, coming in "What actually happened?"

"Jordan called me a bastard" I didn't really know what that meant but I didn't like the sound of it.

"So you hit him?"

"No. I slapped him. Then she slapped me back. Then I punched her"

"Oh Cassie you shouldn't do that"

"Why? What's a bastard anyway?"

"I'm not sure. Let's ask my mummy" she led me downstairs to where Auntie Renee was watching TV.

"Hey mummy. What's a bastard?" Auntie Renee almost choked on her coffee.

"What? Why?"

"We want to know what a bastard is. Jordan called me a bastard" I said.

"Well…it's a very bad word. You should never use it" she told us.

"Yes but what does it mean?" Bella exclaimed.

"It means someone who's mummy and daddy aren't married" she explained. Bella nodded and we went to play.

I was crying in bed. Bella heard me and slipped out of her bed, into mine.

"What's wrong Cassie?"
"Why don't I have a daddy? Everyone else I know has one. You have one even if he doesn't live with you"

"I don't know Cassie. But you don't need a daddy. You have me and Auntie Renee. We are worth one hundred dads" she said, cuddling me close. I fell asleep in her arms.