Lizzie Zipmouth Read Online Free Page B

Great-Gran showed me how. And I hold the kettle ever so carefully so I can’t scald myself.”
    â€œYou’re a very clever girl, Lizzie,” said Sam. “OK, then, I’d love a cup of tea.”
    I made it carefully all by myself. Mum hovered but I wouldn’t let her help. I carried the cup of tea in to Sam without spilling a drop.

    â€œThis is delicious tea,” said Sam, sipping. “Thank you very much, Lizzie.”
    â€œHow is Great-Gran?” I asked.
    â€œNot very well,” said Sam sadly.
    â€œIs she going to get better?”
    â€œI hope so.”
    â€œCan she walk and talk yet?”
    â€œShe’s going to have to learn all over again, like a baby. They’re trying to teach her already. But she won’t do as she’s told.”
    I nodded. I couldn’t imagine Great-Gran letting anyone tell her what to do.
    â€œCan I see her, Sam? Tomorrow?”
    â€œI . . . I think you might find it a bit upsetting, pet,” said Sam.
    â€œI know I’d find it upsetting,” said Rory.
    â€œPlease can I see her, Sam?” I begged.
    â€œLizzie, it’s probably not a good idea,” said Mum.
    â€œ Please , Sam,” I said, clutching his sleeve.
    â€œOK then, Lizzie, if it’s what you really want,” said Sam.
    I hugged him – and sent his cup of tea flying. It went all over his trousers but he still didn’t shout. He hugged me back!

    Sam took me to the hospital to see Great-Gran on Sunday afternoon. I held his hand tightly when we went into the ward. It wasn’t the way I’d thought it would be. I wanted it to be very white and neat and tidy with nurses in blue dresses and little frilly caps. It was a big strange messy place with sad people slumped in beds or hunched in wheelchairs. One old man was crying. I nearly cried too.
    â€œAre you sure you’re OK, Lizzie?” Sam whispered, bending down to me. “We can go straight back home if you want.”
    I did want to go home. But I also wanted to see Great-Gran, though I was very worried she’d look sad and scary now.
    â€œI want to see her,” I said in a teeny-tiny voice.
    â€œOK. She’s over here,” said Sam, and he led me to Great-Gran’s bed.
    Sam's hand was damp. He seemed scared too.

    Great-Gran was lying crookedly on the pillow with her hair sticking up and her eyes shut.
    â€œAre you asleep, Gran?” said Sam, bending over her.
    Great-Gran’s eyes snapped open. They were still bright blue. But they weren’t gleaming.
    â€œHow are you today, Gran?” said Sam.
    Great-Gran made a cross snorty noise. It was obvious she thought it a pretty stupid question.
    â€œI’ve brought someone to see you,” said Sam. He gave me a gentle tug forward. “Look, it’s little Lizzie.”
    Great-Gran looked. Then her eyes clouded and water seeped out. She made more cross snorty sounds. Her nose started running. She tried to move but her arm wouldn’t work properly. She wailed and went gargle-gargle .
    â€œWhat is it, Gran?” Sam said helplessly.
    â€œShe wants a hankie,” I said. I found Great-Gran’s handbag and got a hankie out. “Here we are. I’ll wipe your eyes first. And then your nose. And here’s your comb. We’ll do your hair, eh? It’s OK. I’m good at doing hair. I do Alice’s, don’t I?”
    I mopped and wiped and combed.

    â€œThere!”
    Gran still looked bothered, her head on one side.
    â€œDo you want to sit up straight?”
    Gran nodded.
    Sam helped me pull her up and tidy her pillow. Gran lay back, straight in the bed, seeming much more herself. She looked at me. She opened her mouth. She went gargle-gargle , then sighed in despair.
    â€œTry again, Gran,’ said Sam.
    Gran went gargle-gargle and then wailed.
    â€œNever mind. Don’t upset yourself,” said Sam, patting her little clenched hand.
    Gran couldn’t