One Mum Too Many: Part 2

By ANN BRYANT, Illustrator MARK OLIVER

"Don't say the word stepmother or I'll kill you," I warned Kelly.

"I wasn't going to say... that. I was going to say "Sarah's dad's...". Holly tried again.

"Don't say girlfriend or - "

"I think I'd better shut up. My life's at risk here," said Holly. She was smiling, but then she could afford to smile. Her mum and dad still lived under the same roof.

"Whats her name, your dad's ... er ... friend?" asked Kelly.

"I'm not saying it. Ive made a vow to myself that her name will never pass my lips. Shes a home wrecker."

"Here, write it down," said Katie, passing me a scap of paper and a pen.

I wroter Amanda and they all stared at it, but thank goodness no one said it out loud.

"Thats the name of our neighbour's budgie," Lauren informed us seriously, and we cracked up laughing.

Even me.

Publisher: Mammoth

Price: $12.95

Age: 9-11 years