Emma Smith-White- twelve years old, looks twelve years old, mental age fifteen years old.
'The loss of the Dauntless is a tragedy,' one of the news reporters say. I watch the TV intently, making sure that I don't miss anything. 'We know that Ben Kimmel and Joshua Townsend are dead. The Dauntless is in the path of a comet, with journalist Sarah Jane Smith and biophysicist Ruby White the only two survivors.' I drop my bowl of cereal in shock, spilling milk everywhere. A picture of my parents shows up on the screen. 'NASA confirmed that Sarah Jane is on failing life support and is sending out a rescue mission to save both women.'
I heard nothing from either of my parents for months, and now I know why. 'Ben Kimmel, according to Ruby White, shot and killed Joshua Townsend, who killed Ben before he could kill Sarah Jane and Ruby. Sarah Jane Smith, a former journalist from Planet Three, should she survive, will return to Earth and reunite with her daughter, Emma Smith-White.'
I don't want to go to school today. How am I meant to handle the news that one of my mothers could die in the next few minutes?
'Emma, are you- what happened in here?' Juno is staring at me from the doorway. I forgot about the spilt milk when the news was on. I rewind the channel I am on to show her the news report. 'This is huge,' Juno turns to me. 'Why don't you change out of that school uniform and stay at home today?'
'Thank you, Juno,' I smile before heading upstairs.
My room is on the left from the stairs, my door standing open. My bed sits opposite the door along with a nightstand and a chest of drawers. I look out of the window to see it is raining. I change out of my uniform into a plain black t-shirt and jeans. I put my washing in the washing machine and go around the house and collecting the laundry baskets so I can turn it on. 'You don't need to do that, Emma,' Howard says, taking the basket from me. 'I'll do it. You try and relax, okay?'
'Thank you, Howard.' I head back into the living room and switch the TV on. I don't have a computer or anything like that yet, so the TV is the best I can do.
There is a channel that always shows the news, and I switch it to that. I sit there, watching. I open the newspaper sitting on the coffee table, flicking through the pages. There would be nothing new in there, so I should focus on the TV. I stand and walk to the window, then walk back and sit down. I repeat it for about half an hour when Juno and Howard walk in. 'Any news?' Howard asks.
'Nothing yet,' I say.
'If something happens, we're sure to hear of it,' Juno assures me. I sit down and turn my attention back to the TV.
'And following from a previous story,' the news reporter says. 'NASA has reached the Dauntless and are searching for Sarah Jane Smith and Ruby White. The journalist and biophysicist joined the Dauntless on its first commercial flight when Ben Kimmel sabotaged the operation, leaving both him and Joshua Townsend dead. Hang on; we're getting something... I can now confirm that Sarah Jane Smith and Ruby White are alive. NASA are taking them onboard their shuttle and bringing them back to Earth. They will stay at a hospital in Gloucestershire until they recover.'
'That's brilliant,' Juno breathes a sigh of relief. Howard throws his hat into the air. I sit on my seat, stunned. Then, I feel relief flood through me. I begin smiling for the first time in months. My parents are safe!
Mum is discharged from hospital today, and Howard picks her up. 'MUM!' I yell when I see the car park up. I fly out of the house as Mum steps out, and she pulls me into a hug.
'Oh, Emma! It's so good to see you!' I can see that Mum is crying when she steps back. 'Oh, how you've grown! We've missed you so much.'
'I've missed you both too.' Her brown hair is in the same style as it was when I last saw my parents; it falls in gentle waves down to her shoulders. 'Is Mummy here?'
'I'm afraid not, but we can go and see her tomorrow.'
'I'd love that! I can't wait to see Mummy again.'
When the next morning dawns bright and sunny, I jump out of bed and throw my clothes on. I hope we can see Mummy today. I walk down to the kitchen to get myself some cereal when I stop outside the living room door and peek inside. Mum is sitting on one of the sofas. 'Hi, Mum,' I walk inside, and Mum gestures for me to remain quiet then points to something- or rather, someone- in her lap. When I move in front of her, I see why. Mummy is cuddled up to Mum, her head lying in Mummy's lap. She is sleeping peacefully, and I would hate to disturb her. 'Can I get you anything?'
'I'd like a hug,' Mum smiles, and I sit on the armrest and hug her. Mummy shifts in Mum's lap then sits up.
'What have I missed?'
'Mummy!' I squeal and pull her into a hug.
'Oh, Emma, I missed you so much. Giving you up was the worst decision of my life, but we had to do it.'
'I understand,' I nod.
'But that doesn't matter now. Come on, stand up.' I stand up in front of Mummy. 'Oh, you've grown so much. When do you start secondary school?'
'I'm already in year seven, Mummy!'
'Then we better get everything sorted out so we can be a family again. How do you fancy moving to London?'
'London sounds great,' I smile.
'We'll talk to Juno and Howard about it, of course. Until then, continue working hard and you'll be at a new school in September.'
