The Big Sister by Sally Rippin

Chapter
Two

    That night, Billie’s mum reads her a story in bed. It is about a mummy elephant and her baby. It is Billie’s favourite book.
    Suddenly Billie’s mum stops reading. She gets a funny look on her face.

    â€˜Oh!’ she says. ‘I think the baby is coming!’
    She calls to Billie’s dad. Billie climbs out of bed and helps her mum downstairs. Billie’s dad rushes around f inding all the things they will need for hospital.
    Suddenly Billie gets a funny feeling in her tummy. ‘Can I come with you?’ she says.

    â€˜No, sweetheart,’ says her dad. ‘Remember, we said that you will stay at Jack’s house when the baby comes.’
    â€˜How long will you be?’ asks Billie, feeling worried .
    â€˜I don’t know, Billie,’ says her mum.
    She squeezes Billie’s hand. ‘But just think – next time you see me, you will have a little baby brother or sister!’
    But Billie has decided she doesn’t want a silly old baby anymore. She wants her mummy! Billie scrunches up her face and tries not to cry.
    â€˜It’s all right, Billie,’ says her dad gently.
    Jack’s mum comes over to pick up Billie. They watch Billie’s mum and dad drive off.
    Billie’s mum blows a kiss but Billie looks down at the ground. She doesn’t want them to go without her.

    Jack’s mum gives Billie a cuddle. ‘I’ve made a bed for you in Jack’s room,’ she says. They walk next door.
    Jack is already asleep. His mum tucks Billie into the spare bed.
    Jack’s room looks strange in the dark. Billie wishes she was back in her own bed.
    Suddenly she sits up.
    â€˜Mr Fred!’ she whispers. ‘I need Mr Fred!’
    â€˜Oh dear. We’ll get him tomorrow,’ says Jack’s mum.
    â€˜How about you sleep with one of Jack’s toys tonight?’
    Jack’s mum gives Billie a big blue teddy bear. He is very soft and cuddly. But he’s not like Mr Fred.
    Billie lies in the dark. Her tummy is curling up with worry .
    She can’t remember where she put Mr Fred!
    You remember where he is though, don’t you?

Chapter
Three

    The next day, Billie has breakfast with Jack’s family. But she doesn’t feel very hungry.
    Just then there is a knock on the door. It’s Billie’s dad! ‘Billie!’ he says excitedly. ‘Guess what? You have a baby brother!’
    â€˜A brother?’ Billie says, frowning. ‘But I wanted a sister! Who will wear all my baby dresses now?’
    â€˜Oh, Billie,’ says her dad, giving her a cuddle.
    â€˜You should see him. He’s beautiful! And I’m sure he’ll look lovely in your pretty pink dresses.’
    Billie giggles. ‘Where’s Mum?’ she asks. ‘Is she coming home now?’
    â€˜Not yet,’ her dad says. ‘Mum has to rest. She will be at the hospital for a few days. But we can go and see her.’
    â€˜A few days!’ Billie says crossly. ‘But I want Mum to come home now.’ She stamps her foot.
    Billie’s dad sighs.

    He thanks Jack’s parents for looking after Billie. Billie and her dad go back home for Billie to get dressed.
    Billie feels all jumbled up inside. She is excited to see her new baby brother. But she also feels a teensy bit cross that he is a boy, not a girl.
    She is excited to see her mum, but she is also cross that her mum is not coming home yet. All these feelings bubble up inside Billie’s tummy like a milkshake.

    Then she remembers.
    â€˜Mr Fred!’ she says. ‘I have to f ind Mr Fred to give to the new baby!’
    â€˜OK,’ says her dad. ‘But quickly. Mum is waiting for us.’
    Billie looks everywhere for Mr Fred. She looks under her bed. No Mr Fred. Then she checks her toy box. Not there either!
    She checks all the places Mr Fred could be. But he is nowhere to be found.

    â€˜We have to go now,’ Billie’s dad says. ‘We