Saturday 25th December
The Best Christmas Ever
I am hiding under my bed.
And it is all Daddy's fault.
No presents!
Not one!
We were all opening presents and Daddy pulled out a present from me.
This year I had No Money so I painted everyone pictures and Daddy just looked at it.
He didn't say anything, and then he looked at me so I ran away. And that is why I am hiding under my bed.
"Rose." Calls Indigo. He comes into my room and kneels down. "Come out Rose"
"NO!" I shout. "THIS CHRISTMAS IS RUBBISH. NO PRESENTS. NOT ONE! NO SNOW, NO TOM AND NO PRESENTS. AND STUPID DADDY. AND STUPID YOU AND STUPID SARAH AND STUPID SAFFY!"
"Calm down Rose" Says Indigo gently, but I will not.
I knew it. This is the worst Christmas ever.
I shout and scream and kick but Indigo is very strong now from all his polar exploring. He pulls me downstairs and dumps me on the sofa.
"Rosy Pose" Says Daddy. "Please, I was just surprised, that's all."
I shut my eyes and cross my arms and pretend I can't hear or see any of them.
But then Daddy shoves an envelope at me. "This is from everyone Rose." He explains.
I stare at it.
Last year Daddy gave me an envelope just like this one and it was something called Premium Bonds which are apparently maybe money that I can't have yet.
What a rubbish present.
"If it's Premium Bonds again I am never speaking to anyone ever again." I announce.
"Just open it Rose" Says Indigo, smiling a secret smile.
The envelope says PERMANENT ROSE CASSON. On it in capitals, except it's a bit smudged so what it really says is PERM NEN OSE CAS O .
I open it.
It's a letter, I unfold it and something small falls out onto the floor. David reaches down to pick it up for me but Indigo pulls him back.
I glance at the letter but it's just boring boring typed out words.
I bend down and pick up what fell down.
And
Its
"A PLANE TICKET TO NEW YORK. OH! OH! OH!"
And that is when I burst into tears.