Lily Alone

Lily isn't home ALONE - but she sort of wishes she was; looking after her three younger siblings is a lot of responsibility. When Mum goes off on holiday with her new boyfriend and her stepdad fails to show up, Lily is determined to keep the family together and show they can cope without any grown-ups. But taking care of 6-year-old twins, her 3-year-old sister and the family's flat feels overwhelming and Lily is worried that school or social services might discover their situation and break up the family. What could be better than to take all the little ones for a camping adventure in the park? Plenty of space to run about, no carpet to vacuum, and surely no chance anyone will guess they're there . . . Beauty Cookson is a plain, timid girl who constantly feels inferior to the super-confident, snooty girls at school. Worse than the teasing in the playground, though, is the unpredictable, hurtful criticism from her father. Beauty and her sweet mother live in uneasy fear of his fierce rages, sparked whenever they break one of his fussy house rules. Beauty Cookson is no beauty. She's a plain, timid girl surrounded by super-confident, snooty girls at school. Worse than the teasing in the playground, though, is the unpredictable criticism from her father. Frequently berated for breaking any of Dad's hyper-fussy house rules, as well as for her lack of looks, confidence and friends, Beauty lives in uneasy fear whenever Dad's at home. Her pretty, sweet mum is equally subject to Dad's tirades. Eventually, after an unbearable birthday party and a very real fear that Dad's temper is out of control, Mum and Beauty run away. Very soon Mum and Beauty find themselves in an idyllic seaside resort where their new-found freedom and a moment of culinary inspiration give them a hobby, an income and even a new nickname for Beauty. Soon all Beauty's dreams come true - and she deserves it! A charming, page-turning and heart-warming story from this beloved author A wonderful new tale now in paperback of family life, friendship and cookies from the mega bestselling Jacqueline Wilson.Beauty Cookson is no beauty. She's a plain, timid girl surrounded by super-confident, snooty girls at school. Worse than the teasing in the playground, though, is the unpredictable criticism from her father. Frequently berated for breaking any of Dad's hyper-fussy house rules, as well as for her lack of looks, confidence and friends, Beauty lives in uneasy fear whenever Dad's at home. Her pretty, sweet mum is equally subject to Dad's tirades. Eventually, after an unbearable birthday party and a very real fear that Dad's temper is out of control, Mum and Beauty run away.Very soon Mum and Beauty find themselves in an idyllic seaside resort where their new-found freedom and a moment of culinary inspiration give them a hobby, an income and even a new nickname for Beauty. Soon all Beauty's dreams come true – and she deserves it!A charming, page-turning and heart-warming story from this beloved author. Beauty Cookson Is No Beauty. She's A Plain, Timid Girl Who Constantly Feels Inferior To The Super-confident, Snooty Girls At School. Worse Than The Teasing In The Playground, Though, Is The Unpredictable, Hurtful Criticism From Her Father. Beauty And Her Meek, Sweet Mother Live In Uneasy Fear Of His Fierce Rages, Sparked Whenever They Break One Of His Fussy House Rules. Eventually, After An Unbearable Birthday Party And The Very Real Threat Of Dad's Out-of-control Temper, Mum And Beauty Run Away. Finding Themselves In A Quiet, Idyllic Seaside Village, Their New-found Freedom And A Moment Of Culinary Inspiration Give Them A Hobby, An Income And Even A New Nickname For Beauty. Can They Begin A Happier, Sweeter Life - Without Dad? A Charming, Page-turning And Heart-warming Story From This Beloved Author. Plain and timid Beauty Cookson is teased by popular girls at school, but even worse are the unrelenting criticism and rage from her bad-tempered father, until the day her sweet mother discovers a way out