WHEN Lina arrived at St Brigid’s she made her way straight to the library. Sister Rosemary was there as usual, sitting at the front desk, knitting a long grey thing that she never seemed to finish.

‘I heard your story was quite a success!’ she said as Lina walked in.

‘Thanks,’ said Lina. ‘I think people liked it.’

‘I knew they would.’ Sister Rosemary put her knitting down. ‘By the way, that new Enid Blyton you wanted has arrived. I thought you might like this one, too.’ Sister Rosemary pushed a book across the desk and Lina looked at the cover: The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank.

‘I just finished reading it last night,’ Sister Rosemary said. ‘It’s the diary of a young Jewish girl during the war. She reminded me of you.’

‘Really?’ asked Lina. ‘How?’ She looked at the photograph of the girl on the front, then flipped the book over to the back to read the blurb. ‘Oh, she dies!’

‘I know. It’s very sad. But her diary is beautifully written. Even funny at times. I think you’ll like it. Anyway, give it a try and we can chat about it when you’ve finished.’

‘My grandfather was killed in the war,’ Lina said.

Sister Rosemary nodded. ‘My brother, too.’

‘My nonna misses him a lot. She misses Italy, too. Boy, she talks about it all the time! When I lived in the village this . . . when I lived in the village that . . . Sometimes I think if it was so great back in Italy, why did you come here?’

‘I hear there’s not much work over there,’ Sister Rosemary explained. ‘Especially in the villages. I imagine your parents came out to try to find work. And to give you opportunities you might not have had growing up in a small village.’

‘I know.’ Lina frowned. ‘They tell me that almost every day. I have to be grateful for everything they do for me.’ She looked up quickly. ‘And I am. It’s just that . . . I wish Mum didn’t work so hard,’ she blurted before she could stop herself. ‘She’s tired and cross all the time these days.’ Lina was surprised how much she was telling Sister Rosemary, but it felt good to let it out. There were some things Lina wasn’t sure Mary would understand, and Sister Rosemary seemed like someone she could trust.

‘Well, it sounds like she’s lucky to have a daughter like you, Lina,’ Sister Rosemary said, handing the books to Lina. ‘I bet you’re a great help to her.’

Lina winced. ‘Some of the time.’ She tucked the books into her school bag, remembering with shame how rude she had been towards her mother the night before.

Just then, a face appeared at the library door. Sister Rosemary’s smile dropped into a frown. ‘Miss Doveton,’ she said coolly. ‘We don’t usually see you at this hour.’

‘Mary!’ said Lina excitedly. ‘Why are you here so early?’

Mary pulled a wad of papers out of her school bag. ‘To work on our magazine, of course! Can we work in here?’

‘And what work would that be?’ the Sister said.

‘A project,’ Mary said. Then quickly added, ‘For school.’

‘Provided you tidy everything up when the bell goes and leave the place as you found it,’ Sister Rosemary said, returning to her knitting.

‘Of course!’ said Mary. ‘We won’t leave a single scrap. Promise.’

They found a big table to spread out their magazine-in-progress. Skimming over their work from the night before, Lina was pleased to see it was looking as good as she’d remembered. Not exactly like a real magazine yet, but impressive all the same. Mary had brought along glue and scissors, and more of her mother’s magazines to cut up.

‘We need more articles, I think,’ said Lina, turning the pages. ‘There are lots of pictures in here, but not enough writing. We want it to look like a real magazine.’

The two girls set to work, Mary cutting out pictures and Lina cutting out words to make fancy headings for the articles to come. After a while, Lina felt someone sidle up behind her. She turned to see Betty Pascoe peering over her shoulder through her thick cat’s-eye glasses.

‘What’s that?’ Betty asked.

‘Nothing,’ said Lina quickly, but before she could cover up their work, Mary had leaned back in her chair so that Betty had a clearer view.

‘It’s a magazine!’ Mary said proudly. ‘We made it. Lina’s writing the stories and I’m doing the pictures. Doesn’t it look great?’

‘Wow,’ said Betty, pushing in between Lina and Mary to get a closer look. ‘Can I see?’

‘It’s not finished yet,’ mumbled Lina crossly. She wasn’t sure she was ready for just anyone to see their work. And certainly not Betty Pascoe. Betty Pascoe couldn’t keep anything a secret.

‘Do you like it, Betty?’ said Mary.

‘It’s adorable!’ Betty gushed. ‘I love the fashion page. Who did that?’

‘Me!’ said Mary proudly.

‘Oh, and this is your story, isn’t it, Lina?’ Betty said. ‘The one you read out in assembly? I liked that! Are you going to put in more?’

‘Thanks,’ said Lina, feeling proud. ‘I guess so. We’re still working out what else to put in.’

‘Well, how about an article on the school?’ Betty suggested.

‘Um, I don’t know . . .’ Lina began. Even though she liked the idea, she was feeling uncomfortable about someone else giving suggestions for their magazine.

‘That’s a great idea!’ Mary said. ‘Remember we had to write that story about school in termone, Lina? You could put that in?’

‘I guess so . . .’

At that moment the bell rang and Lina began to fold up the pages.

‘Hey, I haven’t finished!’ Betty said.

‘Assembly,’ said Lina, grateful for the interruption, and she slipped the magazine back into Mary’s bag. The girls quickly cleared up all the scraps of paper and dashed over to the school hall, just in time to line up with their class.

Lina and Mary slipped in behind Betty and Paula. Paula twisted her head around to whisper to Lina. ‘Betty told me you have a magazine you made.’

‘No, we don’t,’ Lina said.

‘Yes, you do!’ Betty protested, spinning around to face them.

Lina glowered at Betty.

‘Show me,’ Paula begged.

‘It’s not finished!’ Lina said a little too loudly.

‘Girls!’ Miss Spring called out. ‘Is that you talking in line again, Lina? I expected more from you.’

‘Sorry, Miss Spring,’ Lina mumbled. Her efforts at being good weren’t off to the best of beginnings.