The Suitcase Kid (NHB Modern Plays) by Jacqueline Wilson

Author:Jacqueline Wilson [Ireland, Vicky]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781788502283
Publisher: Nick Hern Books

Scene Ten

J is for Jelly

ANDY. So I stayed in bed all weekend, then I went to Dad’s. But on Friday morning, I still felt odd.

She tries to hug DAD.

DAD. No. I’ve got to get to work and you’ve got to get to school. You were play-acting last week. No, no cuddles.

ANDY. But I feel funny, Dad. I really do. It’s so cold in this flat.

DAD. Zen and Crystal don’t think so.

ANDY. That’s ’cos they wear their pyjamas under their clothes. I have to wear two pairs of everything. Everything!! I just can’t get warm.

DAD. All right, I’ll turn the storage heaters up.

ANDY. That won’t do any good. I don’t know what they store but it’s certainly not heat.

DAD exits. ANDY gets into her sleeping bag.

I’m getting in my bag. Got to get warm. Put the heat on. Put the futon on. Put the heat on the futon, on… I feel seriously weird.

ANDY falls asleep. Music. Nightmare sequence:

CARRIE enters. She has a huge baby attached to her that she manipulates and makes crying sounds. ANDY wakes up.

ANDY. Oh, the baby’s here, and it’s huge…

DAD enters and speaks in a melodramatic voice.

DAD. No! It cries when you get near it, so stay away, further away.

ANDY struggles in her bag.

Why are you crying? You’re not setting your little sister Andrea a very good example.

ANDY. What do you mean, ‘Andrea’? I’m Andrea. You said I could name the new baby. She’s Ethel. I’m calling her Ethel.

DAD. Don’t be silly. You’re not Andrea. She’s my little girl now and she’s called Andrea.

ANDY. No!! I’m your little girl. I’m Andy. Agh!!

The baby and DAD exit.

ZEN and CRYSTAL enter. Music fades.

Lights up. ANDY wakes up. ZEN is sitting on her.

ZEN. Wake up.

CRYSTAL. You were shouting. Were you having a bad dream?

ANDY. Yes. Get off me.

CRYSTAL. Get off her, Zen. I don’t think you’re very well, Andy.

ANDY. I don’t think so either. (She cries.)

CRYSTAL. I’ll get Carrie. Carrie!

ANDY. No, I want my dad.

CRYSTAL. Simon!!

DAD and CARRIE enter.

CARRIE. Poor little fruitcake. It’s Friday. Friday always makes you feel bad, doesn’t it? Would you like me to show you some of the relaxation exercises we do at childbirth classes? They really help you stop feeling tense.

CARRIE demonstrates pre-natal breathing exercises.

DAD. She’s not tense. She’s got a fever, feel.

ANDY. My throat hurts. And my head, and my neck, and my arms, and my legs. You said I was pretending but I’m not. Oh, Dad, will you stay at home and look after me?

DAD. You poor old sausage. All right, no school. But Carrie will have to look after you. I can’t stay off work.

ANDY. But I want you, Dad.

DAD. Don’t be silly.

ANDY. Please.

DAD. All right, just this once. I’ll ring the office. Say my little girl needs me.

CARRIE. Good. That’s sorted. Now, Andy, what would you say to a big bowl of my bean casserole?

ANDY. No, thanks.

CARRIE. But it’s very nutritious.

ANDY. My throat’s too sore.

CARRIE. Oh dear. Well, is there anything else I can get you? What do you really fancy?

ANDY. Jelly.

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