Jake's Tower: Part 2

By ELIZABATH LAIRD

I'd get started today if I could, but I can't do much because of my arm. The bruise is going to be the biggest I've ever had, I think. I'm not sure. It's hard to tell with bruises.

The one on my back after Christmas might have been bigger, but you can't tell when they're on your back because you can't see them properly. This one's coming up blue now, then it'll go purple with yellow bits on it. He never does them on my face in case someone sees.

The bruise is on my right arm, but I can do things with my left. I can pick things up. I could pick up sticks and things if I wanted to, but I don't. Not today.

She used to shout at him when he got going, when things started to get really bad. She doesn't now. She doesn't look at my bruises, either. She just goes quiet if she sees them, and her eyes slide away.

It's like when you smell something bad and you turn your head away because you don't want to know about it.

Publisher: Macmillan

Age group: 12 plus yrs


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