Hello! Right I'm on a roll now, so I can't really thank reviewers because I haven't had any new ones yet! But thanks to the old ones…I do appreciate it! I guess you'll review again soon?

Mallory Pike

Mallory gazed proudly at the book on the shelf. It was called Lisa and the Mud Pies. In the space where the author's name was printed, it said Mallory Pike.This was because it was Mallory's first published children's book. It was also illustrated by her, including the front cover, which depicted a small girl (modelled on a five year old Claire). She was sitting on the ground, covered in mud, and looked joyous.

Mallory was in the local bookshop, in Stamford. This was her new home. She liked it, big enough not to be boring, but not too big. Mallory had gone to university here, and this was where she moved. She had no romantic attachments, and no kids, or plans for them for a long time; she wanted to focus on her career. Writing was all she had ever wanted to do; she had just had to believe that she could do it. And she could. After flicking through the book, Mallory moved on to the adults and biographies section of the small but cosy bookshop shop.

Let's see, pondered Mal, it should be right…here!

There was a shiny, fat autobiography. On the front there was picture of…Mallory Pike (under which it said her name). Mallory scrutinised it, but she couldn't find any glaring faults. Mal used to hate her appearance with a passion, but now she was able to live with it. Her red hair was gently waved to her shoulders. Her contacts were unnoticeable and her teeth were perfectly straight. Her blue top in the photograph matched the blue writing above her picture. It said…

"Oh excuse me!"

A young man backed off, having just knocked into Mallory.

"I just wanted a copy of…." He reached for Mallory's book.

Mallory gazed at him. She felt like she was floating. The outside noise fell away. For a moment there was only her and him, locked in a smile, she was falling into those kind, intelligent hazel eyes.

"Oh…um here!" Mallory fumbled as she passed him a copy of her book. As their fingers brushed together, a sharp tingling shot up her arm. The guy took the book, and pushed some thick, dark hair from his face.

"Thanks. Wait…are you…Mallory?" His eyes flickered up from the book to her.

"Yes! I mean…yeah that's me! How did you know?" Those eyes moved from her, to the book, then back to her. He held out the book.

"Well…"

Oh. Duh. There was a duplicate of her image, with her name clearly printed underneath. Right. Real smooth Mal.

"Oh yeah! Sorry!"

"No, need to apologize! I guess I must be kind of surreal. Well I just wanted the book because I read my little cousin Lisa and the Mud Pies. She loved it and I thought it was clever. Not just a typical book for kids, you know? Oh…I'm Matt"

"Hey Matt!" said Mallory, rather unnecessarily "Thanks. Uh this might seem kind of pushy…but maybe we could go out for a coffee sometime? I mean there's this great little place next door and…"

"That would be great!"

They agreed to meet there tomorrow at twelve. As Matt left the shop, Mallory just stared at him. That was what had been missing! She grinned. Just then, her mobile rang.

"Mal?"

"Hey Dawn! How are you? I haven't talked to you for ages!"

"Yeah, well that was what I thought! I mean…you're published now!"

"How did you know!?"

"My twin daughters LOVE the book, it's their favourite."
"That's great Dawn"

"I know. Well the reason I called is that…well Claud just had the baby and I thought…"

"Backup! She had the baby??? Oh wow! How is it?"

"Well it's a healthy boy! But the point is that I had a Kristy calibre idea! How about we all get together and give Claud a party? Stacey's already going down there and of course Mary Anne still lives in Stoneybrook, as does Claud, I'm going down with the girls. I even managed to reach Kris, and she said she could come, wouldn't miss it. But I've lost contact with Jessi. Mary Anne is phoning the twins and Kristy is phoning Shannon! It will be great. Anyway are you coming? And can you get in touch with Jessi?"

"Of course and of course! Just give me the dates and times."

As Mallory scribbled them down, said goodbye and hung up, she took one last glance at the book. Above the picture, the blue writing said, Flying High.

It was exactly how Mallory felt.