Almost without thinking, I picked it up, flicked through its pages and dialled the number for Childline.
“I don’t understand,” said the counsellor. “Where are your parents?”
“They’ve gone sailing.”
“When are they coming back?”
“November, I think,” I said, and the tears started.
I took a breath.
Then, in a rush: “I don’t know where they are. I don’t know when they’ll call again.”
“Are there any adults who can help you?”
“My parents have a friend called Pam, but she lives several hours away.
I caught my breath and kept answering the counsellor’s questions: “No, I’m not going to school. I sit here on my own all day, trying to teach myself.” My voice quavered.