Free Twin Tales by Jacqueline Wilson Page A

the worst bit,’ said Nurse Meade. ‘Let’s keep holding hands as we go down the steps.’

    They did just that – and somehow it wasn’t quite so bad, even when the water was lapping right up around Connie’s neck.
    â€˜I’ll take you for a little swim shall I?’ said Nurse Meade.
    She held Connie gently but firmly round her waist and pulled her along through the water. Connie held her head up high and let her feet waft up off the bottom of the pool.

    â€˜Kick those feet a little,’ said Nurse Meade.
    Connie kicked.
    â€˜And paddle your hands through the water,’ said Nurse Meade.
    Connie paddled.
    â€˜There! You’re swimming!’
    â€˜Only sort of,’ Connie gasped.
    The water washed over her chin and splashed her face but even that wasn’t so bad now. Nurse Meade showed her how to dip her face right into the water and blow bubbles just like a little fish. Connie dipped and blew. Soon she dared bend her knees and duck right down. She didn’t mind a bit. She wasn’t scared any more!
    Dad was sitting on the side of the pool, staring.
    â€˜Watch me, Dad,’ Connie called. ‘Let’s do some more swimming, Nurse Meade.’
    Nurse Meade pulled her carefully along while Connie paddled with her hands and kicked with her feet. Once the water splashed right up so that she spluttered, but she blew bubbles through it and went on paddling and kicking.
    â€˜Shall I let go just for a second?’ said Nurse Meade.

    Connie thought about it – and then nodded.
    â€˜Keep swimming, Connie,’ said Nurse Meade, taking her hands away.
    So Connie paddled and kicked as hard as she could – and for two whole strokes she was swimming all by herself. Then Nurse Meade clasped her round the waist again, keeping her safe.
    â€˜Well done, Connie!’ she said.
    â€˜Well done, Connie!’ said Dad, jumping into the water, absolutely thrilled.
    â€˜I can swim. I can really swim! Hey, let’s go swimming every single Sunday, Dad, and then I’ll be able to swim a whole length by the time we go swimming with the school,’ said Connie.

    â€˜Will you come too, Nurse Meade?’
    â€˜Maybe once or twice,’ said Nurse Meade.
    She smiled at Connie and Connie smiled back. When they were getting dressed after their swim, Nurse Meade pulled on shiny green leggings and pointy green pearlised boots. It looked almost as if she had a real mermaid’s tail . . .