Page 29 - SAMPLE Talking the the Moon

“Yes, but it’s not good for anything else.”
“You’re ten years old,” says Mum. “Why do you need a phone? Live in the real world. Or do some daydreaming.”
(This is particularly annoying. I don’t think Mum has ever daydreamed in her life.)
“Secondary school,” says Dad. “You’ll get one then.” I’m about to make a fuss when Pearl trips and lands face down in the water. She’s wearing dungarees and they blow up like a balloon. She couldn’t be wetter if she tried. She might as well roll around a bit just to get the
last little corners fully soaked.
Dad jumps up. Mum rolls her eyes. Pearl hesitates for
a moment then screams.
And that’s the end of the conversation.
Someone else’s family
By the time Pearl’s dry and wrapped in Mum’s coat, Noah’s cold and wants to go home. Mum looks cold too. She’s turning my favourite colour. We walk a little way along the beach then wave them goodbye.
As we watch them go I imagine they’re someone else’s family – the tired woman with the wet girl on her shoulders and the tired man playing tag with the little
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