Skinny Melon and Me by Jean Ure Page A

leastRosemary stayed in the car which meant I was able to say goodbye to Dad on my own. He said, “We’ve had fun this week, haven’t we? We must do it again – and not leave it so long next time.” I said that maybe I could come at Christmas but Dad said unfortunately that wouldn’t be possible as he and Rosemary had already arranged to go with some friends to Austria and do some skiing. I didn’t like to suggest that maybe I could go with them as I don’t think Rosemary would be happy. I don’t think she likes me very much. So then I had a bright idea and said, “Parents’ Evening! You could come to Parents’ Evening!” Dad said he thought that was an excellent suggestion and if I let him know when it was, he would definitely be there. He said, “That’s a promise!”
    We had a bit of time to wait so we went over to the bookstall and Dad bought me some magazines and another horror book. Unlike Mum and Slimey, he didn’t go “tut tut” about me reading horrors but said they looked jolly good and really exciting and ought to keep me on the edge of my seat all the way to London. As it happens I cannot read very well on trains as they jerk up and down and make my eyes go funny but I didn’t say so to Dad. Instead I said that I would find out the date of Parents’ Evening and let him know. He said, “Make sure you do!” and then it was time to say goodbye and for me to get on the train.
    This was the first time that I have ever been on a longtrain journey by myself. I kept worrying how I would know when we reached London, which was stupid because London is where the train stops. It doesn’t go anywhere else. And then I worried about leaving my seat to go to the toilet in case I couldn’t find my way back or someone stole my things. And then when I absolutely had to go because otherwise I would have to burst it was one of those ones where you have to press buttons to get in and more buttons to close the door and I was terrified I wouldn’t be able to get out again, but of course I did. I expect if I got used to travelling on my own it would be all right.

    Another thing I worried about was what I would do if I got to London and couldn’t see Mum or Slimey, but Slimey was there, waiting for me, looking all Slimey-ish in an anorak and joggers and tatty old trainers.
    He gave me a big hug and a kiss and I let him, which normally I wouldn’t have done because normally it would revolt me, but I was just so relieved to see him. He said, “I’m sorry Butterpat couldn’t come, but she has an appointment at the clinic.” (Meaning the ante-natal clinic, where all the pregnantwomen go to make sure they are having proper babies and not babies that have things wrong with them.) He said he knew that he was second best but, “Hopefully better than nothing.”
    I felt sort of sorry for him when he said this. I also felt a bit mean about leaving his book behind, especially as I was clutching my horror book. I explained that Dad had bought me the book and that I hadn’t left his one behind on purpose, I’d simply forgotten to pack it, like I’d also forgotten to pack my tooth brush (this was a fib but I said it to make him feel better). I said that I wished I had taken his book as I’d had to go out and buy myself some, and I promised that I would read his next. Slimey said, “I’m afraid you won’t find it very exciting after your diet of horror. I probably made a mistake in choosing it.” He sounded really sad, as if it mattered to him that I mightn’t find his book exciting. I said that I would definitely read it and let him know.
    When we got home Mum was there. I’d forgotten how enormous she looks after Rosemary. She asked me if I’d had a good time and I said, “Brilliant,” because it would have been disloyal to Dad to have said anything else. Mum said, “Well, there’s nothing very brilliant on offer at this end, but we can go up to the video shop and get a video, if you like.” I said,