Chapter 1

Tina sat on the edge of her bed. She gazed at herself in the mirror and sighed. This was the first time she had seen herself aged sixteen. She still had the same blotchy skin. She still had the dark patches around her eyes. Her long, brown hair was still the same length. So, from being fifteen yesterday and becoming sixteen today, nothing appeared to have changed.

                 But perhaps some things had. She could leave school and go to college now. Tina couldn't do that yesterday. She could own a moped or leave home without her parents' permission. Her careers advisor told her she could even join the armed forces. Perhaps one day had made a difference. But as she stared at her reflection, she knew she was still the same Tina Sanderson. The same Tina Sanderson, still hiding the same dark and upsetting secret.

It was late afternoon when Tina heard her mother shouting for her to come downstairs. Tina had spent most of the morning in her bedroom, away from her parents. Her father hadn't even wished her a happy birthday at breakfast. As usual, he hid behind his newspaper, complaining about unemployment and the state the country was in.

                Even Tina's mother hadn't made a fuss. She had pushed a bowl of breakfast cereals across the table, then handed Tina her present. Tina thanked them both, but didn't bother to open it. She would keep the excitement of opening the card containing the gift token to the privacy of her room.

                'You're not wearing that old thing to your party, are you?' said Tina's mother as Tina entered the kitchen.

                Tina looked at her mother, spearing pieces of cheese with cocktail sticks. 'It's not a party. Besides, I've got nothing else that's clean.'

                Tina's mother shook her head and pushed past her. 'Why don't you wear the dress you wore to your school disco?'

                'It wasn't a disco. Besides, the dress was horrible, and didn't fit.'

                'Why didn't you say? I could have taken it back for a refund.'

                'Money doesn't grow on trees, my girl!'

Tina turned as her father walked in and slapped a copy of the Racing Post on the table. 'Bloody three-legged horses. I don't know why I listen to Tommy. His tips never win!'

                'Speaking of Tommy, he'll be here soon,' said Tina's mother, cling-filming the sandwiches.

                Tina glared at her. 'You never said Uncle Tommy was coming!'

                Tina's father picked up a sausage roll and bit into it. 'There's no need to pull faces, young lady. He's making the trip up from London, especially for your birthday party.'

                'It's not a party-'

                'And he's picking up my sister because her car is playing up,' said Tina's mother.

                'My brother is always thinking of others,' said Tina's father, brushing the pastry crumbs from his shirt. 'I don't know why you're always so sharp with him, Tina. What's he ever done to you?'

                Tina bit her bottom lip, but said nothing.

                The doorbell rang.