Strawberry Sisters Read Online Free Page B

was on her mobile when she came into the kitchen with Lucy and Chloe behind her.
    ‘Lovely,’ she said into her phone and mimed a kiss at me. ‘I’ll see you then. I’m looking forward to it. Bye now.’
    She put her phone down and squeezed my shoulder. ‘This looks fantastic,’ she said.
    ‘Who was that?’ I asked.
    She lifted five plates from the rack and handed them to Chloe to put on the table. ‘Remember when I was talking about an evening class?’
    ‘Uh-huh.’
    ‘Well, I’ve decided to join a book club instead. That was the lady who organises it. My first meeting is on Wednesday.’
    ‘A book club?’ Lucy said. ‘What’s that? Do you all sit around reading? That doesn’t sound very interesting. You can do reading in your own bed and nothing really
happens. Except when Chloe climbs in and does a Dutch oven.’
    ‘What on earth is a Dutch oven?’ Mum asked.
    ‘It’s when you’re in bed with someone and you pull the duvet over their head and then fart so that they’re trapped with your stink,’ Chloe said in a matter-of-fact
way, as if this was a completely acceptable way to be talking when I was actually hoping to eat my tea without vomiting on my plate.
    ‘You don’t sit around reading at book clubs,’ I said to Lucy. ‘You read the book before you go and then, when you’re there, you discuss the book and answer
questions about it.’
    ‘What on earth?’ Chloe said. ‘That’s not a club! That’s English lessons. Why would you want to do that, Mum?’
    ‘I like reading books,’ said Mum. ‘And I thought it would be nice to meet some new people.’
    ‘What’s wrong with us?’ Lucy demanded. ‘I can talk to you about books any time you like.’
    ‘There’s nothing wrong with you, my sweet,’ Mum said.
    ‘Apart from the obvious,’ I muttered.
    ‘Nothing at all,’ Mum said more loudly. ‘But it’s always good to make new friends, isn’t it? Now, are we ready to eat, Amelia? Shall I call Ella?’
    The bolognese was delicious (even if I do say so myself). But it was less enjoyable listening to Lucy telling us the plot of every book she’s ever read (which fortunately isn’t very
many). I was grateful that I’d finished my tea by the time she got on to a story called
The Most Revolting Sandwich in the World
. I’m pretty sure she wrote that one herself.

The next day, Lauren finally came back to school. Even though she’d called me to say she was better, it was still almost a surprise to see her back in our tutor room. I
tried to be cool and not get overexcited like a little kid, but I was so pleased to see her that I did say, ‘You’re here!’ in quite a squealy way.
    ‘I am!’ Lauren said.
    And then we hugged and I might have let out one more little squeal.
    ‘How do you feel?’ I asked. ‘You’re a bit pale.’
    ‘You sound like my mum!’
    ‘So you’re over the flu?’
    ‘Amelia, I’m completely fit and healthy.’
    ‘OK, just checking.’ I couldn’t stop myself from grinning. ‘This is brilliant!’
    Lauren laughed. ‘Yep. I’ve never seen you so excited about school.’
    ‘I’m not excited about school. School is a miserable torture prison. I’m happy because you’re here to share in it with me.’
    ‘That’s very moving,’ Lauren said in a not-at-all-moved voice.
    It was so good to be back with someone else who likes being sarcastic.
    I punched her on the arm. ‘I’ve got so much to tell you.’
    She rubbed her arm. ‘I know you’re a bit thick and that violence is one of the few ways you can express yourself, but try to tell me the news without any more injuries, all
right?’
    I smirked. ‘We’ll see . . .’
    ‘I need to hear more about the Christmas concert first.’
    I made myself comfy on a chair. ‘I told you we had the first meeting last week, and Mr Garcia gave out music and lyrics booklets, so I got one for you. I’ll bring it in tomorrow. The
rehearsals are on Thursdays, plus extra ones if you’ve got a