Kennedy - The Things We Left Unsaid

Emma Kennedy is a bestselling author, TV writer, actress and presenter. She has written nine books including her bestselling memoirs, The Tent the Bucket and Me and I Left My Tent in San Francisco. She wrote the Wilma Tenderfoot series for children and has also adapted The Tent the Bucket and Me for the BBC, renamed The Kennedys. The Things We Left Unsaid is Emmas debut adult novel.

As an actress Emma has appeared in many award-winning comedies including Goodness Gracious Me, People Like Us and Miranda. Emma won Celebrity Masterchef in 2012 and is a Guinness World Record holder.

Emma lives in Surrey with her wife and their dogs, and is hard at work on her next novel. You can follow her on Twitter @EmmaKennedy.

Also available by Emma Kennedy

fiction

Shoes For Anthony

non-fiction

How to Bring Up Your Parents

The Tent, The Bucket and Me

I Left My Tent in San Francisco

The Killing Handbook

children s

Wilma Tenderfoot and the Case of the Frozen Hearts

Wilma Tenderfoot and the Case of the Putrid Poison

Wilma Tenderfoot and the Case of the Fatal Phantom

Wilma Tenderfoot and the Case of the Rascals Revenge

For Aunty Ann and Uncle John

Nothing is ever really lost to us, as long as we remember it.

L. M. Montgomery

Eleanor was packing. She had a ticket for the 9.42 to Paddington and she couldnt be late.

Do you think youll have sexual intercourse? Agnes was lying belly down on the bed, behind Eleanors suitcase. Her arms were stretched out above her head, her face pressed into the eiderdown. She said the words as if shed only just learned them.

Dont be coarse, Agnes. Eleanor turned and looked at a pile of jumpers. She wasnt sure how many to take.

Im not being coarse. Im thinking about all the things that might ruin you, like being mauled by a bear or being crushed by falling masonry or having sexual intercourse.

Eleanor frowned. You have the most vivid imagination of anyone I know. Mauled by a bear?

Exit, chased by bear. Thats Shakespeare. So, you know, you might, said Agnes, turning her face sideways Do you think by the time you come back Ill be as tall as this bed?

Eleanor glanced down at her little sister, stretched out to her limits. Only if you grow at least two feet in the next nine weeks, which is unlikely.

Agnes gave a small huff and pushed herself up. Its so frustrating. As soon as Im as tall as you I can wear all your clothes.

No, you cannot. And when Im not here, dont try. Eleanor picked up a heap of socks from a washing basket and began to sort them into pairs.

Agnes dangled her legs off the edge of the bed and peered into Eleanors suitcase. Are you sure youre taking enough? Youre going to be gone for ages.

I dont know. But Ive only got one suitcase. And Ive got to fit books in as well. Ill take two of everything. Except for socks and knickers. Ill take seven pairs of those.

Are you going to miss me? Agnes looked up, hopeful.

Not in the least.

Agness face fell. Thats disappointing. I think I shall miss you terribly.

Youre not supposed to tell me that. Sisters are supposed to roll through life quietly resenting each other. Eleanor pressed a powder-blue jumper down into the suitcase.

Agnes pushed herself off the bed and wandered over to the bookshelves in the corner of the room. Can I have your encyclopedia? she asked, fingering the spine.

You can borrow it. Pass me those books on the top shelf. The Sylvia Plath, the John Fowles, To Kill a Mockingbird and she peered towards the shelves, then glanced back into her suitcase anything else thats thin.

Agnes gathered up the books carefully and carried them back to the bed. I think you will miss me, she said, sitting down and swinging her legs. I think youre going to get to London and wish I was there. Unless youre planning sexual intercourse, in which case you wont.

Eleanor frowned. Youre obsessed, Agnes. Youre only thirteen. Youre supposed to be riding around on a bike, pretending its a pony. Besides, I havent even got a boyfriend. I rather think that comes first, dont you?

Eleanor! a voice shouted up from downstairs. It was their mother. Are you packed?

Almost! Eleanor threw the socks into the side of the suitcase and squished them down.

Its so strange youre leaving, said Agnes, screwing her nose up. Its almost as if I dont quite believe it. You know Daddy cried?

He did not, said Eleanor, placing the books on top of the packed clothes. Youre making that up.

I am not. I saw him getting into his car and his face was entirely wet. Youre his favourite, you know. Hell be furious hes left with me.

Nonsense, replied Eleanor, pressing down on the suitcase. He hasnt got a favourite. In fact, Im not entirely sure he likes either of us. Not really. Here, lend a hand. Press down on that side so I can get this shut.

I think Ill only have one child. Agnes pushed her full weight down on to the top of the suitcase. That way there can be no confusion as to who I like the best. How many children do you think youll have?

Heaps of them, replied Eleanor. All running around. At least five. Press down harder. I cant get this done up.

Dont be ridiculous. Agnes pushed again. If you have five you wont remember their names. You might lose one in a department store and not notice for days.

Its no good. Youre going to have to sit on it. Ill put it on the floor.

Agnes leaned back and Eleanor picked up the suitcase with both arms. Right, she said, placing it down, you sit on it.

Agnes scrambled off the bed and sat, as heavily as she could, on the suitcase. Eleanor got down on her knees and pulled at the leather buckle. Almost, she said, straining. Sit a bit harder.

Agnes bore down.

Got it. Eleanor leaned back and blew out. You can get off now.

Agnes stood and Eleanor picked up the suitcase and rested it buckle side up. She glanced at her watch. Just in time too. Shall we say goodbye now? She looked at her sister.

No, thank you, said Agnes, clasping her hands behind her back. Id rather not.

Eleanor shook her head. What a peculiar child you are, Ag. I shall miss your oddness. Ill give you that.

I am not odd. I am interesting. And I can definitely borrow your encyclopedia? She glanced over towards it.

Eleanor nodded. Yes. You can read it whenever you want.

Eleanor! Another call came up the stairs. Were going to be late!

Coming!

Im not going to cry, said Agnes, sticking her chin out.

Neither am I, said Eleanor, dragging her suitcase out to the landing.

Agnes stood listening as her sister thumped the suitcase down the stairs. Her mother was muttering something, agitated and tense. She looked around her sisters room. It was slightly bigger than her own and had a bed that didnt creak every time you turned over.

Im not going to cry, she said again, as if willing herself to believe it. Im not.

Downstairs the front door slammed shut and she could hear Eleanor dragging her suitcase up the front path. She went to the window and looked out. Her mother was getting into the car. She was frowning, the way she did when she was on the verge of feeling frantic.

Oh no, Agnes suddenly said. The beret I made for her! She ran from the room and dashed into her own.