THE STORY OF ME AND MY LIFE ENTRY NINE - PART ONE

6TH MARCH 1999,

9:00 PM

Dear Abi,

At this moment in time, I am sitting with my grandparents in the front room, watching the Disney movie, Robin Hood. Even though it's one of my favourites I want to tell you about wat happened today:

At nine o' clock this morning, I got up out of bed and had breakfast with Nanna and Grandad. Nanna cooked us a fry-up again, which was nice, but not as nice as yesterday's. I asked her if she could drive me into town again today, because I'd made a new friend and I wanted to meet her.
"Oh, that's nice, Ali. What's your new friend called?"
"Chantelle," I answered.
She drove me to town at the time I'd requested and dropped me off by the river. Chantelle was there already. Today, she had dyed her hair black with hints of red, plus she was wearing a black t-shirt paired with a pair of black tracksuit bottoms. She looked like a Goth.
"She doesn't look very friendly," said Nanna, looming at Chantelle, as she let me out of the car. She waved to Chantelle, anyway, before she drove off.
"Hello," said Chantelle, as I sat down beside her.
"Hello," I answered.
"Would you just like to sit here for a while, or go off round the shops?"
"Can we just sit here? And talk?"
"Yeah sure."
Chantelle crossed her legs. I copied.
"I feel like I want to get to know you," I said.
"OK. Well, my name is Chantelle Welky. I live with my mum and dad. I have two younger sisters. Amber and Tracy. I am fourteen, and my birthday's on the 7th of February. Okay? Now, your turn."
I took a deep breath: "Well, my name is Ali Bashter, and I am twelve years old. My birthday's on the 9th of February. Normally I live with my mum and my younger sister, Hannah, down in Cornwall, but I'm up here with my Grandparents on a treated holiday."
I didn't want to tell Chantelle that it was a punishment, and why it was a punishment.
We sat in silence. The silence went on for too long. I felt like I should make conversation. Then: "Do you live with your dad as well?" Chantelle asked.
"No. As far as I know he split up with my mum just before I was born."
"Oh, I see."
And my sister Hannah's got a different dad. He died when Hannah was three."
"Oh. Your poor sister."
"It's okay. She can't remember him much. Well, she says she does, but then whenever Mum or I ask her what she remembers, she blocks her ears and pretends she can't hear us."
"Oh. Why did your real dad split up with your mum?"
"Well. They were together for a couple of months, but then when Mum found out she was expecting me, she found out that Dad was already married, with a daughter who was one, and who's birthday was a couple of days before my birthday. The 7th of February."
"Oh."
We sat in silence. Then:
"I've just realized something," said Chantelle.
"What?"
"Well, you said your dad was already married, with a daughter who was one, and who's birthday was two days before your's."
"And?"
"Well, my birthdays two days before your's. And I'd be the same age as this girl you mentioned."
"Oh, yeah! Huh, coincidence or what?"
"Yeah," Chantelle laughed.
A couple more minutes of silence.
"I didn't bring any money, and I'm hungry," said Chantelle. "Have you got any, Ali?"
"No. Sorry."
"Oh, well, might as well go home."
Chantelle got up, and was about to wander off, when she turned and said: "Would you like to come home with me, and meet my family?"
I thought for a moment. "Yeah, sure," I smiled. "Why not?"

"Ali! Why are you writing in your diary? I thought Robin Hood was one your faves?"
"It is, Nanna."
"Well, snap that book shut, and watch it with us. Honestly! You beg and beg me to put it on for you, and when I do, you sit and write! It's very rude."
That is true. I did ask her if she could stick on Robin Hood. But only because I knew they'd watch it too, because they love Disney as much as I do and I could talk to you without too many questions about what I'm writing about.
"Ali! Weren't you listening to a word I've been saying?"
"Yes, Nanna. Sorry, Nanna."
Sorry, Abi, I'll have to tell you about my visit to Chantelle's house later. Goodbye.

Find out what happens next in Entry Nine - Part Two...