Don't Ask Alice by Judi Curtin Read Free Book Online Page B

I might have that dress still.’
    I laughed.
    â€˜Why? Are you going to use it as a tent? You’dbe very popular – you could fit a few families in there.’
    Mum must really have been in a strange mood, because she ignored that joke too. Suddenly I had a horrible thought – probably the scariest thought of my whole life.
    Did Mum expect me to go hang out with all these crazy people with psychedelic clothes and horror hair?
    Did she think I was going to spend my whole weekend dancing around a mucky field listening to creepy old music?
    Knowing my luck I’d probably get my picture in the paper, and that would give Melissa enough to mock me about all the way to the summer holidays.
    Did Mum want to ruin my life forever?
    I was so scared I could hardly get the words out.
    â€˜I… I… I… don’t have to go, do I?’
    Mum shook her head.
    â€˜No, love. I’m sorry. I’d love you to come, butit’s not really suitable for kids. You and Rosie will stay here. It’s all arranged. Linda’s coming to mind you.’
    Now that was really good news. Linda is Mum’s younger sister. We hardly ever see her because she lives in Dublin, and has a very busy life. When she visits though, she’s really fun, and always gives Rosie and me sweets when Mum isn’t looking. A whole weekend with her would be totally brilliant .
    Mum suddenly looked sad.
    â€˜I hope we’re doing the right thing,’ she said. ‘Dad and I have never spent a night away from Rosie before. And she’s still only a baby. Maybe it’s best if you and Rosie just come with us. Maybe I should ring Linda and tell her not to come after all.’
    There was no way I was going on that crazy trip. I jumped up.
    â€˜No, Mum,’ I said. ‘Don’t do that. Rosie’s not a baby. She’s four now. She’s a big girl. And I’ll help to mind her. And I’ll be really good forLinda. I’ll help her all the time. I’ll—’
    Mum laughed.
    â€˜OK. OK. I get the message. I suppose you can stay here. It will be good for you girls to spend some time with Linda – get to know her a bit better. Now would you ever get the ladder from the garage for me? I’m going up to the attic to see if I can find that lovely yellow dress.’

Chapter twelve

    T wenty minutes later, Mum was up in the attic humming ancient songs as she rummaged through boxes of old junk. Before long, she called me,
    â€˜Come, on up, Megan. You can help me. This is so much fun.’
    I thought doing really hard maths homework would be more fun than helping Mum, but I decided not to say this.
    â€˜Sorry, Mum,’ I called. ‘I’d love to, but I promised Alice I’d call for her.’
    Mum didn’t even answer, so I took theopportunity to escape.
    I ran over to Alice’s place. Alice laughed when I told her the good news that Mum and Dad were going away.
    â€˜You lucky thing,’ she said. ‘A whole weekend without your mum and dad bossing you around. I’m jealous already.’
    Then she thought for a minute.
    â€˜Who’s going to mind you though? Who does your mother trust to fill you up with organic porridge, and to keep you away from evil things like television and mobile phones?’
    I laughed.
    â€˜That’s the really great news. My Aunt Linda is coming to mind us. She’s really cool – well, I suppose not really, really cool, but she’s a lot cooler than Mum, that’s for sure. She’ll promise Mum loads of stuff, but as soon as we’re on our own, she’ll act like a normal person. It’s going to be so—’
    Alice put up a hand to stop me. She had that funny look on her face again.
    â€˜I think I remember your Aunt Linda from when she visited before.’
    I nodded.
    â€˜Yeah. She comes down about once a year. She never stays long though. After a day or two she starts to get restless and wants