Hardknocks, Hiccups and Headstands

by Ali Gardner

  The girls couldn’t actually believe they used to speak like their friends. They had been totally unaware of this change and couldn’t work out when it had happened.

  The girls could not get to sleep that night, and kept practicing their verse of the song for Kitty. Eventually, they fell asleep, and in the morning, Carol woke them with a glass of orange juice in bed. She had put the special elephant-shaped ice cubes in their glasses. The girls had always loved these, and it reminded them of happy times. Carol helped the girls dress for the wedding in their beautiful cream bridesmaid dresses. The dresses were identical, which Dad loved as he had tried, but failed, to dress them in the same outfits for as long as he could. The girls hated being in the same outfits usually, but they were happy to be the same today, and Dad enjoyed taking about a million photographs of them before they had even left Carol’s house.

  The wedding was perfect. Kitty looked beautiful in her long cream dress with silver flowers down the front, and Nick cried when he saw her walk down the aisle. The girls had to follow behind, and Libby had the important job of taking Kitty’s flowers from her when they reached the altar. After the wedding, a big old red bus came to the church and took everyone to a castle nearby.

  Libby and Janey had been to this castle many times when they had lived nearby, and knew all the best hiding places for a game of Sardines later. The girls loved the party, which involved lots of singing and dancing. Nick’s song to Kitty was beautiful, and the girls sang their verse perfectly. The food was delicious, and Kitty had arranged for all the children to have a special paper lantern to take outside when it was dark. Once outside, the adults lit the lanterns and the children let go of them together. It was a beautiful sight, and Dad put his arms around the girls’ shoulders and said how proud he was of his two beautiful girls – and that he was sure that their mummy would be looking down on them right now, thinking the same thing.

  Acknowledgements

  Taken from us all too soon, but never forgotten and always by my side, this book is dedicated to Mummy. Writing the book has been a labour of love, grief and embellishment but most of all a healing process.

  I would like to thank all my family and friends who have encouraged me along the way. A special thank you to all the pupils and teachers at Didsbury Road Primary School who read my early drafts and shaped the final version. Thank you to Jess for bringing the characters to life in her illustrations. Also a huge thank you to Andy at HSA Press Ltd whose act of kindness has made this a reality.

  Finally a special thanks to you Dad - I hope you know that you did a fantastic job and that you continue to be my rock through life’s hard-knocks, hiccups and headstands!