Welcome to Case Closed.

You're listening to Sometimes I Lie by Alice Feeney, narrated by Stephanie Racine.

Let's pick up where we left off last time.

Before.

Easter Sunday, 1992.

Dear Diary

Taylor is on holiday with her parents for the whole of Easter and I feel miserable.

I haven't seen her since the last day at school, and I won't see her again until next Tuesday when we go back.

She sent me a postcard.

Mum barged into my bedroom with a big grin on her face to give it to me a couple of days ago.

She thought it would make me happy.

It didn't.

Taylor seems to be having a lot of fun without me, and I don't think she misses me at all.

I'm not going on holiday this year, not even somewhere in England. Mum says we can't afford it. When I pointed out that

Dad has been working loads so we should have lots of money, she just cried. She's always crying

lately and she's not fat anymore. I wonder if maybe she's too sad to eat.

One night last week she was too sad to make lunch or dinner. I'm not allowed to touch the oven,

so I just ate crisps and biscuits. I asked Mum if she was still sad about Nana, and she said

she was sad about everything.

Mum said she'd take me to Brighton again one day next week if I was good.

I asked her where she would take me if I was bad, but she didn't laugh.

I've reminded her that I'm ten and a half now, so I'm a bit old for the kids' rides,

...