The Ugly Stepsister by Avril Sabine Read Free Book Online Page B

don’t know. I’ll have to get back to you.
    Society of Australian Magicians says: kk
    Society of Australian Magicians says: g2g. Bedtime. 9pm.
    Ellie says: K. Night.
    Society of Australian Magicians has left the conversation.
    Ellie says: What about you? Need to go to bed?
    TW says: Nah. I go when I’m tired.
    Ellie says: That seems odd. Why has Sam got a bedtime then?
    TW says: He won’t when he turns seventeen.
    Ellie says: K.
    TW says: You?
    Ellie says: Me what?
    TW says: Have a bedtime.
    Ellie says: Nah. When I’m tired.
    Ellie says: Been like that since I was thirteen.
    TW says: Unusual.
    Ellie says: *shrugs* If you think so.
    TW says: Why since you were thirteen?
    Ellie says: My father moved out. Mum’s more laidback.
    TW says: Laidback or couldn’t care less?
    Ellie says: Laidback.
    TW says: Hmm.
    Ellie says: What’s that mean?
    TW says: That I’m slowly putting the pieces of the puzzle together.
    Ellie says: You haven’t got any pieces to put together.
    TW says: More than you think.
    Ellie says: Like what.
    TW says:
:D
    Ellie says: Oh don’t be a bastard.
    TW says: I might head to bed. I have swimming practice in the morning.
    Ellie says: Is that every morning?
    TW says: Weekdays only.
    Ellie says: How early do you have to get up?
    TW says: Five.
    Ellie says: Rather you than me.
    TW says: I don’t mind. And I love swimming.
    Ellie says: Why?
    TW says: Always have.
    Ellie says: That’s not an answer.
    TW says: Why is pancakes, vanilla ice cream and maple syrup your favourite food?
    Ellie says: You’ve made your point.
    TW says: Where do you live?
    Ellie says: Thought you were going to bed.
    TW says: Night.
:D
    Ellie says: Night.

Chapter Eight
    Still smiling, Ellie closed down her laptop, leaving her towel draped over the back of her chair as she rose to her feet. Hearing the television on, she wandered out to the lounge room. Sharon was sprawled on the sofa, a coffee cup in one hand and a sandwich in the other.
    “Night, Mum.”
    Sharon looked up. “Did you have a good weekend?”
    “Yeah, it was all right. You?”
    “Reasonable. Did your father ring you back?”
    Ellie shook her head. “Nah. Guess it wasn’t important.”
    “Probably that stupid bitch he married wanting to make sure you bring the right sort of clothes. I don’t know what she’s on. You’re old enough to pick out your own clothes. I wonder if she’s going to keep dressing her clones like her when they’re teenagers.”
    Ellie laughed. Her stepsisters did look like clones of their mother, right down to the clothes she dressed them in. At the ages of eight and six it was starting to lose its cute factor. Not that it had ever had much of one. “Can you imagine them in ten years? All dressed the same. Wonder if that means Pamela will dress too young for her age or they’ll have to dress too old for their ages.”
    Sharon snorted. “As if Stupid Bitch would wear something that was inappropriate. They’ll have to dress too old for their age.”
    They fell silent for a moment, grinning at each other. Ellie broke the silence. “I need to get some groceries tomorrow afternoon. We’re cleaned out.”
    “I’ll leave my keycard on the bench when I head to work.”
    The familiarly of the conversation made her feel a little more in control of her life. Now if she could just get her weekends sorted out again. “Thanks. I’ll see you tomorrow night.”
    Sharon nodded and turned back to the television.

* * *
    Ellie grabbed at her textbooks as they started to slip from her arms. She couldn’t believe she’d slept through her alarm clock and ended up arriving late to school. Looking down to position the books better, she hurried around the corner of the corridor. The books skidded across the floor when she collided with someone. Looking up when they grabbed her upper arms to steady her, she met Tom’s eyes.
    Tom grinned. “Did you ditch Frankie?”
    Ellie suppressed a groan. It looked like she’d have been better off continuing