Scarlet and Ivy The lost twin

Chapter 1

This is the story of how I became my sister. I got the letter on September the first. I remember I remember that because it was the day after our thirteenth birthday. My thirteenth birthday. The first one I wouldn't share with my twin sister, Scarlet. I woke up and made my way down the winding stairs of my aunt Phoebe's house, breathing in the smell of bacon cooking as I went. The early morning sun was already warming the air. it could have been a good day. As I emerged from the shadow of the stairs and into the sunlight hallway, I noticed it. An envelope lying on the stone floor.

For a moment I thought it might be a belated birthday card-the only card I had that year was from my aunt, and looking at the single, lonely name written at the top could hurt more than I could say-but as I picked the envelope up it felt more like a letter.

Scarlet had always liked to send me secret messages, but she sealed her letters so haphazardly that you could have probably opened hers by just breathing on them. This one was closed tightly and sealed with wax. I turned it over and saw that it was addressed to my aunt. I ought to open it, I thought. Aunt Phoebe didn't object to me reading her post. In fact it was usually necessary; she just let it pile up in the hallway if I didn't.

I went into the kitchen and sat down on one of the rickety chairs. I took a closer look at the seal on the envelope- it was black, with a raised imprint of a bird on top of an oak tree. the words 'Rockwood School' were stamped underneath in dark-coloured ink.

Rockwood School. Scarlet's School. Why were they writing to aunt Phoebe?

I slid a butter knife from the drawer along the envelope.

THE LETTER

Mrs Phoebe Gregory

Blackbird Cottage

Bramely Hollow

30th of August, 1935

Dear Mrs Gregory,

As you are the Guardian of ivy grey, I am writing to inform you that in light of recent unfortunate circumstances a place has become available at our school, and your niece will take it. Her parents have fully paid the fees and she is due to start as soon as possible. A teacher will be sent to collect her and the details will be explained upon arrival.

Regards,

          Mr Edgar Bartholomew (Head Master)

I threw the letter down as if it had singed my fingers. Could they really be referring to my sister's death as 'unfortunate circumstances'?

I sat and stared at it, questions racing through my head. For some reason, Rockwood School wanted me-the twin who wasn't good enough. Surely there were hundreds of other girls they could give the place to. Why me?

It was then that I noticed the smell of bacon cooking turning into the smell of bacon burning. I jumped up and ran to the iron stove, waving the smoke away from my face. It was to late; the bacon was already cremated. Aunt Phoebe must have wondered off somewhere in the middle of cooking. This was a common occurrence. I glanced out of the kitchen window and spotted her sitting on the  bench in the garden, her hands folded neatly in her lap and a faraway expression on her face. Aunt Phoebes husband had died in the great war. to be continued