Thief! (24 page)

BOOK: Thief!

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‘It’s funny but . . . I feel a bit sorry for Anne,’ Lydia sighed.

Danny’s jaw dropped open. ‘You must be joking!’ he exclaimed.

‘I know what it’s like to have everyone hating you and not talking to you. I wouldn’t want her to go through the same thing,’ said Lydia.

Danny shook his head, amazed. Mum and Dad looked at each other.

‘Besides, I wouldn’t want Hensonville to become . . . Turnerville!’ Lydia smiled.

‘Lydia, what on earth are you talking about?’ Mum frowned.

‘It doesn’t matter, Mum. I’m just wittering to myself. Maybe I’ll try and be friends with Anne again,’ Lydia mused. ‘And then again, maybe I won’t! I’ll have to see.’

‘I’m just glad the whole thing is sorted out now,’ sighed Dad.

‘Dad . . .’

The phone rang, interrupting Lydia.

‘I’ll be right back,’ said Mum.

‘What were you going to say, Lydia?’ Dad asked.

Lydia chewed on her bottom lip. She should be happy but she wasn’t. The sports cup theft at school was all cleared up but that still left the accident on the motorway . . . Lydia’s heart leapt at the thought of it. Should she risk telling Mum and Dad what she knew about the future? It sounded so bizarre, so far-fetched that they’d never believe her. Even now Lydia wondered if she’d been knocked out and just dreamt the whole thing or had it really happened? Yes, there was the scar on her arm, but what if that really had happened when she was knocked unconscious? So maybe she was worrying about nothing. But even so . . .

‘Who was that?’ Dad asked when Mum came back into the room.

‘That was Mr Weldon, Frankie’s dad,’ said Mum. ‘He’s invited all of us to spend Boxing Day with his family.’

‘That’s nice of him,’ Dad said drily.

‘Are we going to go?’ asked Mum.

‘Oh please! Please, can we?’ Lydia pleaded.

‘What about your Aunt Vanessa?’ Dad frowned.

‘Couldn’t we see her some other time?’ Lydia asked.

She held her breath as she waited for Dad’s answer.

‘I suppose we could always visit my sister for the New Year,’ said Mum. ‘It would be nice to get to know some of the people in this town a bit better – if we’re going to stay here, that is.’

Mum and Dad looked at each other.

‘Oh, I think we’ll settle down here,’ said Dad at last.

Mum grinned. ‘Good!’

‘That’s not good – that’s great!’ Lydia sprung out of her chair and whirled around. ‘We’re not going to Aunt Vanessa’s before my birthday. We’re not going! We’re not going!’

‘And just what’s wrong with my sister?’ Mum frowned.

‘Nothing!’ Lydia grinned. ‘I . . . I just didn’t want to see her before my birthday, that’s all.’

‘Why?’

‘Because I love Tarwich. I’m going to live here for ever and ever. Come here, Danny, and I’ll give you a big kiss!’ Lydia beamed.

‘You must be drunk!’ Danny retorted.

‘Danny, that’s a charming thing to say to your sister.’ Mum raised an eyebrow.

‘Well, Lydia’s gone all dripping wet ever since she got out of the hospital,’ Danny grumbled. ‘I wish she’d stop being nice to me. I’m not used to it!’

‘Danny, as I’ve already told you – you’re the best brother in the world.’

‘You’ve never told me that,’ Danny denied.

‘Oh yes, I did. I told you when you were forty-seven years old,’ smiled Lydia.

‘Huh?’

‘And what’s more, I meant it!’ said Lydia.

And she did!

About the Author

MALORIE BLACKMAN
is acknowledged as one of today’s most imaginative and convincing writers for young readers.
Noughts & Crosses
has won several prizes, including the Children’s Book Award. Malorie is also the only author to have won the Young Telegraph/Gimme 5 Award twice with
Hacker
and
Thief!
Her work has appeared on screen, with
Pig-Heart Boy
, which was shortlisted for the Carnegie Medal, being adapted into a BAFTA-award-winning TV serial. Malorie has also written a number of titles for younger readers.

In 2005, Malorie was honoured with the Eleanor Farjeon Award in recognition of her distinguished contribution to the world of children’s books.

In 2008, she received an OBE for her services to children’s literature.

www.malorieblackman.co.uk