THE STORY OF ME AND MY LIFE ENTRY ELEVEN

9TH MARCH, 1999,

Dear Abi,

I didn't get to see Chantelle yesterday. When I asked Nanna if she could drop me off at Chantelle's house, she pointed out that I was going. I was only meant to stay for a few days. So I was put on the train back home, without knowing whether I'll Chantelle again or not.
I did send her a text, to tell her I won't be able to make it to her house, because I got put on the train back home. But she hasn't replied. Maybe she thought that was an excuse not to come, that I simply didn't want to see her. And now she hates me.
Oh, wait a minute! I've now just got a text. Maybe...
Yes! It's from Chantelle!

hello ali
thats really bad news do u no if u will b coming bak up here again

hi chantz
no i dont no if i will b coming bak again we will hav to make do wiv txtin each other

wot was it u wanted 2 tell me

ok u r going 2 freak but i think we r sisters

how do u make that out

well we were looking at that photo of ure dad & the baby & her mum. the baby was called ali shobby and the mum was called jade shobby well my mums called jade and im called ali & shobby was our surname b4 mum met & married hannahs dad

It took twenty minutes before Chantelle answered the last text, when she did, she said:

wow & we fort it was a coin wen we were saying about ur dad having a baby dorter wen u was born & that ure birthday was 2 days b4 hers & that my birthday was 2 days b4 yours

At that moment, I had to stop texting her, because Mum called out dinner.
"So, how was your trip, Ali?" Muim asked.
"Fine," I mumbled.
"And you've learnt your lesson about what you've done?"
"Yes."
"What did you get up to?"
I shrugged my shoulders. I didn't know whether to tell Mum about My Amazing Discovery or not. "Oh, this and that. I made a new friend. Chantelle."
"Oh, what was she like?"
"She was very friendly. We've got each other's numbers."
"That's good. You can text each other if you can't see each other."
"Yep."
"Mum, there's something I need to tell you."
"What?"
"Well, I think that Chantelle is my sister."
Then Hannah started squealing and spouting lasagne everywhere. "Oooh, a new sister! Is she my sister too?"
"Pipe down, Hannah. And eat your dinner properly. What are you talking about Ali? Was it a game you two played when you were together?"
"No, Mum. She really is my sister."
Then I went on tell her about what Chantelle and I talked about on the bridge, and that I saw a photo of Chantelle's dad with another woman and a baby, and that they werre called Jade and Ali Shobby.
"... And I only noticed it when I realized that you were called Jade I was called Ali, and that we were called Shobby before you married Hannah's dad," I finished off.
As I was gabbling on, Mum was just sitting there, listening, not eating her dinner. When I finished, her face suddenly went pink.
"Of course it's a coincidence," she said. Liker there were millions of babies named Ali Shobby and millions of mothers named Jade Shobby.
"You must get that stupid idea out of your head."
"But, I swear it's true!" I protested.
"Stop it! Go up to your room the instant!"
So I went. By now, you must have realized that my writing's been getting shakier and shakier. Well, Abi, that's because I'm on a train. When I got to my room and flung my door shut, I sat on my bed cursing for a while. Then I decided I was going to go back up to Manchester, and see whether or not it was true.
I packed a suitcase, and fished out enough money for a train fare. I had to nick two fivers and a tenner out of Mum's purse, but she shouldn't mind, seeing as it's for a good cause. Then I waited til everyone had gone to bed, and I raced out for the train station. I sent a text to Chantelle to tell her I was on my way. I had to wait til morning though, for the next train to Manchester.
Oh oh, the train conducter's coming, and he's asking for my ticket, I'll have to tell you more later, Abi.
"Miss. Will you stop writing in that journal and give me your ticket now!"
Goodbye Abi.

Find out what happens next in Entry Twelve...