Twin Tales by Jacqueline Wilson

Connie?’ asked Nurse Meade.
    â€˜No. I hate it,’ said Connie.
    â€˜Is that so?’ said Nurse Meade. ‘Hey, your hair’s grown quite a bit since I last saw you. Do you ever wear it in little plaits like me?’
    â€˜They’re too fiddly for me to fix myself – and Mum’s always too busy,’ said Connie. ‘I loved it when you gave me a little plait, Nurse Meade.’
    â€˜Do you want me to give you just one little plait now?’ asked Nurse Meade.
    â€˜Yes, please!’
    â€˜With a couple of my blue glass beads to keep it in place?’ asked Nurse Meade. She took two out of the pocket of her blue dress and held them up to the light. They sparkled a deep bright blue. A familiar frightening colour. Connie suddenly shivered.
    â€˜What’s up, Connie? You loved my beads last time,’ Nurse Meade said gently.
    â€˜Yes, but . . . they’re swimming-pool blue. And I hate that colour now.’ Connie hesitated. Nurse Meade started plaiting a lock of her hair. ‘I’m a little bit scared of swimming, actually,’ Connie mumbled.
    â€˜Is that so?’ said Nurse Meade, still plaiting, as if it was no big deal at all. ‘Ah well. We’re all scared of something.’
    â€˜Dad gets cross with me. And Mum’s ever so tactful but she really thinks I’m a baby. And Gran says I’ve got a phobia,’ said Connie.
    â€˜I get the picture,’ said Nurse Meade. ‘Well, I wouldn’t worry about it too much, Connie. I have a feeling things will somehow sort themselves out.’ She finished the plait, holding it together with her finger and thumb. ‘I can find a bit of ribbon for you if youreally don’t want to wear my blue beads.’
    Nurse Meade looked at Connie. Connie looked back at Nurse Meade.
    â€˜A ribbon wouldn’t be anywhere near as . . . magic,’ said Nurse Meade.
    â€˜I’d like the blue beads after all, please,’ said Connie.
    Nurse Meade twisted them into place. Connie couldn’t see them when she looked straight ahead but when she turned her head quickly she saw a little blue spark bob up over her ear. Connie still didn’t like being reminded of swimming-pools – but the beads were beautiful.

    â€˜I see Nurse Meade’s given you some of her beads again,’ said Mum.
    â€˜Yes. They’re magic,’ said Connie, very hopefully indeed.
    â€˜Were you talking about being scared of swimming to Nurse Meade?’ said Mum on their way home from the clinic.
    â€˜Mmm,’ said Connie, not wanting to talk about it now.
    â€˜I know you’re very scared and it must be horrible for you.’ Mum insisted on talking about it. ‘I do understand, darling. But you must see that there’s really nothing to be scared of, not in the baby pool.’
    â€˜And boring old baby Charles and baby Claire bob up and down in it like little ducks. Why can’t you all just shut up about it?’
    Mum was now very cross indeed so when they got home Connie stomped off by herself into the back garden. She twiddled the two blue beads on her new plait. She was sick of Mum. She wished for two new twin mums. But the magic didn’t seem to work this time. No new mums appeared though Connie looked all around hopefully. She twiddled the beads once more. ‘Come on, you’re meant to be magic!’
    â€˜Who are you talking to?’ said a voice over the fence.
    It was Gerald, the big boy next door. He certainly wasn’t magic, but Connie liked him all the same.
    â€˜Come on, my little beauties,’ muttered Gerald.

    â€˜Who are you talking to, Gerald?’ asked Connie.
    â€˜My gerbils have had babies. Want to see them?’
    â€˜Oooh yes,’ said Connie.
    The baby gerbils were very cute indeed. They were more like toddler gerbils, bright-eyed and alert, with fluffy coats and long tickly tails.

    â€˜They’re lovely,’ said Connie,