L.E. Heron’s Reviews > The Illustrated Mum > Status Update

'I don’t know how to do anything without Star. She’s not just like my sister. She’s like my mum too. And my best friend. And now she’s walked out on me and I haven’t got anyone.’ 😥😥

She picked up my hand and tried to make me hit her. My arm flopped back to its side.
‘I don’t want to hurt you,’ I said, sniffing. 😥😥

I dreamt we were on a rubbish cart, Star and me, and the dustman combed Star’s hair with their dirty fingers and licked her face clean and stuck her up on the front of the cart as their lucky mascot. But they chucked me out on the rubbish heap and I was stuck in the muck screaming for Marigold but she wouldn’t come. She wouldn’t come for me no matter how many times I cried her name. 😥😥

‘It’s bad enough when the boys fight but it’s appalling when a girl starts using her fists,’ she said.
‘That’s sexist,’ I said, accurately but unwisely.

‘I’m sick of being the eldest. I’m sick of being the one who has to try hardest all the time. I’m sick sick sick of it,’ said Star. Her voice was thick. I thought she might be crying. 😥