Free The Ugly Stepsister by Avril Sabine Page B

morning that you needed more sleep. And no way am I getting up that early. I get out of bed as late as possible. I usually barely make it to school on time.”
    “We better move then before I start trying to talk you into staying.”
    Ellie reluctantly pulled away from Tom. She picked up the container Sam had given her and waited for Tom to turn off the television. They crept quietly upstairs and when they reached the foyer, Ellie carried her sandals so she didn’t risk making too much noise as she walked out the door. All the lights, except for the foyer light, were turned off. She wondered if Teresa had gone to bed already. Tom slipped his shoes on before he headed outside, locking the door behind him.
    Ellie found the drive went too quickly and they were pulling up in front of her house before she was ready to say goodnight. “Have you been at school the past couple of days?”
    Tom nodded.
    “I didn’t see either of you about.”
    “We were there. But I could say the same. Where were you?”
    “I sit in the same place every lunchtime.” She described where the tree was that she and Lauren had been sitting under since grade eight.
    “I know where that is.”
    “Does that mean I might see you tomorrow?”
    Tom leaned forward and kissed her. “Maybe.”
    Ellie smiled. “Goodnight.”
    “Night, Beth.”
    She considered questioning his choice of names but the faint look of amusement told her he waited for exactly that. She grinned and hopped out of the car, still holding the container. Dashing to the front door, she turned and waved to him before she let herself in. She heard him drive off as soon as the door was closed.
    Ellie hid the container in the back of the fridge and, still smiling, made her way to her room. The house was quiet and dark. She knew her mum would be home and more likely asleep, but she felt like she was the only one in the house. Locking her door behind her, she turned on the light and changed into her sleepwear.

* * *
    Ellie reached for her phone, her eyes still tightly shut. She cracked an eye open to check the time before she read the message.
What time do you leave for school?
She groaned. There was still another forty-five minutes she could be sleeping. It only took fifteen minutes to get ready. If that.
    Still sleeping- Lisbeth.
    Knives hidden. What time?
    Ellie considered ignoring him, but didn’t think he’d stop sending messages. She thought it best to reply.
Eight
.
    She glared at the phone. When it remained silent she went back to sleep to be woken, what felt like minutes later, by her alarm clock. She hit snooze and considered waiting until it went off again. But if she did, it wouldn’t give her enough time to get to school before classes started. Turning off her alarm, she staggered out of bed.
    By the time she was ready to leave, it was five past eight. As she stepped out the front door, she froze. Tom was parked on the side of the road, waiting for her. Sam sat in the back seat and Tom leaned against the bonnet of his car. When he saw her, he strode up the cracked path, meeting her on the edge of the verandah.
    He glanced at the piece of buttered toast she held. “Is that your breakfast?”
    Ellie grinned. “I was tempted to have chocolate strawberry shortcake. You’d be amazed at how much willpower I needed to use.”
    “You’ll be hungry before you finish your first class.”
    Ellie shook her head. “I’ve got an apple in my bag. Anyway, I’m old enough to feed myself without any help at all.”
    “You forget. I saw what you buy and call food.” Tom took her schoolbag.
    “We can’t all have a chef for a brother.” Ellie grinned at Sam as they reached the car. “Hi, Sam.” She noticed his eyes went to her toast too. “And don’t start about my breakfast. Considering how many fires I’ve caused in kitchens, toast is the safest thing for me to make.”
    “I wasn’t going to say anything.” Sam held out a container.
    Ellie took it and peeked inside. She