Mary had gone bright pink, partly because she was squashed, partly because she was pleased. ‘Thanks, Tracy! You’ve made my day! That’s what us boring old teachers love – praise and gratitude!’ she said, giving Mum a hug back.
‘Oh my!’ said Flo, from her sofa. ‘This is like the very last episode of Life with the Lilliputs. Everyone was suddenly ultra-sweet and we all went round hugging each other.’
‘Can I have a hug?’ Jordan said to Mum. ‘My social worker Megan says you’re really and truly serious about fostering me. Is she right?’
‘Yep,’ said Mum, releasing Mary and hugging Jordan instead. They looked a bit comical, because Jordan’s much bigger than her.
‘You won’t regret it, I promise,’ said Jordan. ‘I’ve turned over a new leaf, haven’t I, Cam? I’ve been as good as gold, honest. I haven’t kicked off once and I’ve been ever so helpful. And Jax and I are really good mates now, aren’t we? I’m not telling porkies, am I?’
‘No, you’re telling the absolute gold-star truth,’ said Cam.
‘It’s called the honeymoon period,’ said Mum. ‘It lasts a few weeks, and then the foster child kicks off royally. It’s the testing time. I know. I did my fair share. But you belong with us, Jordan, no matter what, OK?’
‘Even if … if I smashed up all the things in this shop?’ said Jordan.
‘Well, that wouldn’t be wise, girl, because I’d beat you with my walking sticks,’ said Flo. ‘Only joking.’
‘Yeah, I was only joking too,’ said Jordan. ‘Have another cake. All of you.’
I took Jordan out the back to show her my garden. I thought she might mock, because it was only a very little garden, and still a bit bare, but she said she loved it.
‘You’ve made it really pretty. You take after your mum, Jess. You’ve got the knack,’ said Jordan, flinging herself down on the little patch of grass. ‘Hey, we can sunbathe here. I don’t even have to wear my baseball cap because I’m not on the run any more. No one’s looking for me now,’ she said.
‘That’s cool,’ I said, starting to dig up a few weeds. ‘But if you run away again, then Mum and me and Flo and Cam and Mary and Jax and Rosie will be looking for you big time. Alfie will act like a tracker dog and hunt you down, and then we’ll capture you and bring you back home. Right?’
‘Right!’ said Jordan, grinning. ‘Here, do you want a hand with that digging? You’re not very strong, but I am.’ She grabbed my trowel and started on another patch. Unfortunately she started digging up a newly planted agapanthus.
‘Not that one! It’s a flower!’ I protested.
Jordan screwed up her face, and just for a moment I thought she might get cross. But then she shrugged. ‘Sorry! You be the gardener, I’ll be the cake maker. Deal?’
‘Deal!’
When we went back into the shop we found Peter there, asking all about the television show. He seemed really pleased to see Jordan and me.
‘He isn’t just trying to impress Mum by making a fuss of me like Sean Godfrey did,’ I whispered to Jordan. ‘He’s soooo much nicer.’
‘Yeah. Shame he’s not rich and famous like Sean Godfrey though,’ she said. ‘I wouldn’t have minded him for a stepdad.’
‘I don’t want any kind of stepdad,’ I said, but I didn’t think I’d mind too much if Mum and Peter became a serious item.
Later that morning Lawrence came in to mull over Antique Memories with Flo. We were starting to get more visitors than customers.
However, the guy who’d wanted Mum’s little Victorian desk soon came back again, this time with his wife. She absolutely loved the desk – and Mum and Flo gave her an extra discount because it was her birthday. Even so, we made a good profit.
‘We’ve all got to celebrate!’ Mum said when they’d gone. ‘How about the Spade and Bucket tonight?’
‘We’ve got to be back for the rest of the girls by teatime,’ said Cam.
‘That’s not fair!’ exclaimed Jordan.
‘Life’s not fair, chickie,’ said Cam cheerfully. ‘And I was hoping you’d help out with the cooking, Jordan, because I’ll be knackered after all the driving.’
‘Well, I suppose. OK then,’ she said, looking pleased.
‘I was actually hoping you’d come round to my place for supper tonight,’ said Peter. ‘I want to show off my cooking skills. I’ve got a chicken marinating as we speak.’
‘Just you and Mum?’ I asked.
‘No, you too, Jess, of course. And Flo as well.’
‘I might have other plans,’ said Flo coyly, looking at Lawrence.
‘So let’s shut the shop now and go down to the Spade and Bucket for a celebration lunch!’ said Mum.
‘Good plan!’ I said, and everyone agreed. We didn’t have time for a proper meal, but we had baguettes and chips and they were very good.
‘Shall we have a look at the pudding menu?’ Peter asked. ‘Perhaps Lizzie could even rustle up a cake again … It was so weird, meeting you here, Tracy, and sharing a birthday cake. It was just like we were little kids again, both of us holding the knife and wishing! What did you wish for then, Tracy?’
‘That would be telling,’ said Mum, smiling.
‘Maybe it was the same wish as me,’ he said, smiling back.
‘We can have some cake now!’ said Jordan. ‘There was one of my muffins left. I brought it along in case anyone was extra peckish.’ She produced a rather squashed muffin from her jacket pocket.
‘Who’s going to have it then? How about sharing it with Jess?’ Cam suggested.
‘Of course I’ll share with Jess. She’s like my little sister already,’ said Jordan.
So we set the muffin on a plate and took hold of a knife together and wished. I’m pretty sure I know what Jordan wished. I looked around at her and Mum and Peter and Alfie and Cam and Mary and Flo and Lawrence, and decided that I loved having a big family. I wished we’d all live happily ever after, like in a storybook.
THE FOSTERING NETWORK
There are 65,000 children and young people – just like Jordan – living with foster families across the UK. There is a need for thousands more foster families each year.
To find out more about fostering, visit thefosteringnetwork.org.uk/allaboutfostering
WHO CARES? SCOTLAND
If you are Care Experienced and would like to connect with others who have experience of care, you can do so alongside Who Cares? Scotland.
Who Cares? Scotland is an independent charity led by Care Experienced people, campaigning for change in the care system and in societal attitudes towards Care Experienced people.
Find out more at www.whocaresscotland.org
TEN FACTS ABOUT JESS BEAKER
Meet Jess, Jacqueline Wilson’s sparkiest new heroine …
Jess’s full name is Jessica Bluebell Camilla Beaker – Bluebell, for Tracy’s old cuddly toy, and Camilla, for her foster-grandmother, Cam.
Jess is super smart and at the top of her class at school.
Before living in Cooksea, Jess lived with Tracy in Marlborough Tower, a block of flats in the city.
Bill, the bacon-roll van owner, calls her Baby Curly because she has dark curly hair just like her mum, Tracy.
She has a toy dog called Woofer, but a real one called Alfie.
Alice used to be her best friend but they lost touch when Jess moved to Cooksea.
Jess’s sworn enemy used to be Tyrone, but they later became very good friends, even though he worships Sean Godfrey.
Jess has met her dad a few times but he hasn’t come to visit her in Cooksea.
Cam’s partner, Mary, used to be Jess’s teacher. Tracy once shouted at her!
She is going into Year 6 at school.
TEN FACTS ABOUT TRACY BEAKER
Meet Jess’s Mum Tracy, the funniest, fiercest mum in Cooksea …
Tracy’s birthday is 8 May – the same day as Peter Ingham’s!
Her lucky number is 7.
Her favourite film genre is horror. Scary!
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She used to go out with Sean Godfrey, a professional footballer.
She is really good at Monopoly.
Tracy’s sworn enemy is Justine Littlewood, although it looks like they might not have to be enemies for ever …
Her birth mum is called Carly and her foster mum is called Cam.
At The Dumping Ground, Tracy is fantastic at arranging antiques in ways that tell stories.
Tracy has written an autobiography about her life with some (not so complimentary) chapters on Justine Littlewood and Peter Ingham.
Tracy’s favourite name is Camilla after a little girl she knew who was fostered, and after Cam, her foster mum.
WHICH BEAKER GIRL ARE YOU?
Tracy, Jess and Jordan – the Beaker girls! Take this amazing quiz to find out which of the Beakers you are most like …
What are you most likely to be doing on the weekend?
a) Arranging antiques into elaborate displays
b) Gardening and planting flowers
c) Baking lots of cakes, muffins and brownies for your friends
What’s your favourite ice cream?
a) A whippy covered in strawberry sauce
b) Rainbow sprinkles, but a banana split also goes down a treat
c) Not too fussed – any ice cream is good with me!
What is your best quality?
a) Caring and fierce
b) Thoughtful and kind
c) Independent and bold
Do you believe in romance?
a) I’m not sure if there is someone special out there, but I’d like to hope!
b) Yuck – no thanks!
c) Only if they don’t like football
What is most important to you?
a) Sticking up for my family
b) Helping other people
c) Feeling like I have freedom
What do you want to be when you’re older?
a) An actress or a TV presenter on an antiques show
b) I do quite well at school so maybe a teacher or a writer
c) I don’t really know – I’m only just starting to realize that I might be able to achieve my dreams …
Do you have a special toy?
a) A doll
b) A plush dog
c) No way! I’m too old for them
If you said mostly a, you’re Tracy! Fiercely caring, you’d do anything for your family. You sometimes find it hard to control your emotions but, deep down, you have a super soft centre and are a great friend to boot!
If you said mostly b, you’re Jess! Intelligent, kind and selfless, you’d put anyone above yourself even if it means giving away your pocket money. You can be shy, but you’re learning to be more confident and making loads of friends as a result.
If you said mostly c, you’re Jordan! Sometimes you have a bit of a barrier up against other people but that’s because you’ve had to look after yourself. You should be proud of how independent you are and know that you’re allowed to open up because you’ve got amazing friends around you!
CHECK OUT JACQUELINE WILSON’S BRILLIANT WEBSITE!
Did you know there’s a whole Jacqueline Wilson town to explore? There’s lots of fun stuff, including games, amazing competitions and exclusive news. You can generate a special username, customize your online bedroom, test your knowledge of Jacqueline’s books with exciting quizzes and upload book reviews! And if you like writing, make sure you visit the special storytelling area!
Plus, you can find out about the latest news from Jacqueline in her monthly diary, chat to other fans on the message boards and find out whether she’s doing an event near you!
Join in today at www.jacquelinewilson.co.uk
ALSO AVAILABLE
Tracy has made the perfect home for Jess, leaving the Dumping Ground far behind her. Jess and her mum, Tracy, are the perfect team, but when Tracy’s new rich boyfriend comes on to the scene Jess is afraid that everything is going to change …
HAVE YOU READ THEM ALL?
LAUGH OUT LOUD
THE STORY OF TRACY BEAKER
I DARE YOU, TRACY BEAKER
STARRING TRACY BEAKER
MY MUM TRACY BEAKER
THE WORST THING ABOUT MY SISTER
DOUBLE ACT
FOUR CHILDREN AND IT
THE BED AND BREAKFAST STAR
HISTORICAL HEROES
HETTY FEATHER
HETTY FEATHER’S CHRISTMAS
SAPPHIRE BATTERSEA
EMERALD STAR
DIAMOND
LITTLE STARS
CLOVER MOON
ROSE RIVERS
WAVE ME GOODBYE
OPAL PLUMSTEAD
QUEENIE
DANCING THE CHARLESTON
LIFE LESSONS
THE BUTTERFLY CLUB
THE SUITCASE KID
KATY
BAD GIRLS
LITTLE DARLINGS
CLEAN BREAK
RENT A BRIDESMAID
CANDYFLOSS
THE LOTTIE PROJECT
THE LONGEST WHALE SONG
COOKIE
JACKY DAYDREAM
PAWS & WHISKERS
FAMILY DRAMAS
THE ILLUSTRATED MUM
MY SISTER JODIE
DIAMOND GIRLS
DUSTBIN BABY
VICKY ANGEL
SECRETS
MIDNIGHT
LOLA ROSE
LILY ALONE
MY SECRET DIARY
PLENTY OF MISCHIEF
SLEEPOVERS
THE WORRY WEBSITE
BEST FRIENDS
GLUBBSLYME
THE CAT MUMMY
LIZZIE ZIPMOUTH
THE MUM-MINDER
CLIFFHANGER
BURIED ALIVE!
FOR OLDER READERS
GIRLS IN LOVE
GIRLS UNDER PRESSURE
GIRLS OUT LATE
GIRLS IN TEARS
KISS
LOVE LESSONS
THE BEGINNING
Wait – you didn’t think that was it, did you?
Puffin has LOADS more stories for you to discover.
Find your next adventure at puffin.co.uk, along with:
• Quizzes, games and apps starring your favourite characters
• Videos, podcasts and audiobook extracts
• The chance to check out brand-new books before anybody else!
puffin.co.uk
Psst! You can also find Puffin on PopJam
PUFFIN BOOKS
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Puffin Books is part of the Penguin Random House group of companies whose addresses can be found at global.penguinrandomhouse.com.
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First published 2019
Text copyright © Jacqueline Wilson, 2019
Illustrations copyright © Nick Sharratt, 2019
The moral right of the author and illustrator has been asserted
ISBN: 978-1-787-62053-7
All correspondence to:
Doubleday
Penguin Random House Children’s
80 Strand, London WC2R 0RL
This ebook is copyright material and must not be copied, reproduced, transferred, distributed, leased, licensed or publicly performed or used in any way except as specifically permitted in writing by the publishers, as allowed under the terms and conditions under which it was purchased or as strictly permitted by applicable copyright law. Any unauthorized distribution or use of this text may be a direct infringement of the author’s and publisher’s rights and those responsible may be liable in law accordingly.
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We Are the Beaker Girls Page 21