The Silly Stories of Sophie Sanderson

Chapter 2

Sophie lived with her Mum and Dad and ginger cat in a little house in a little village in Kent. She went to the little village school with her best friend, Tilly Thomas. Sophie had her own bedroom in their little house, and she had helped her Dad paint it yellow with purple flowers all around the room. She had her very own dollhouse that her Mum had bought her for her birthday and all the books she could get her hands on. Sophie loved to read and the more dramatic the book the better. Her favourite story was The Pagemaster. After she had seen the film, her Dad had tracked down an adaptation of the book for her.

It was September again which meant school was starting for another year. Sophie was about to go into year 5 and she felt very grown up about it. Soon she would be looking at secondary schools and she was hoping to go to the local school with Tilly, but first it was only one more day to her ninth birthday on sixth September and Sophie was very excited.

“Sophie, almost time for school!” called Mum from downstairs. Sophie straightened her pinafore and put on her red cardigan. Her shoes were brand new, as was the pencil case in her new backpack and her new yellow lunchbox. Every year, Sophie’s Mum took her to the local shops to get all her new school supplies and it was her favourite time.

Sophie bounded down the stairs and into the kitchen where Mum was setting a cup of steaming hot tea onto the table for her along with strawberry jam on toast – her favourite!

“Morning, Mum. Are you ready for the school run today?” asked Sophie, sliding into her usual seat. Sophie loved their house. It was little and narrow but was so homely and warm; Sandy the cat was stretched out on his usual bench near the Aga, all long and ginger and sleepy.

“Morning Sophie,” said Mum, kissing her on the forehead, “All ready. Jam sandwiches for lunch today and don’t forget to bring home a new book for us to start reading. We need to ask your teacher about the Eleven Plus for this year.”

Sophie nodded and tucked into her breakfast with enthusiasm. School was the one place she could go and be with her friends but have fun and read all at once. It was going to be a very good day.