‘Here it comes!’ called Siri.

The back door opened and out came Uncle Bob, carrying the cake. It was decorated with candles and sparklers. Everyone sang Happy Birthday as Uncle Bob put the cake down on a fold-up table in front of Annabelle.

Usually Annabelle loved this part. But today it didn’t feel quite right. It was like something was missing. Then Annabelle realised what it was.

Nicole still wasn’t there!

Maybe she’s decided not to come after all, thought Annabelle, disappointed.

When the singing stopped someone called out, ‘Hip hip!’

‘Hooray!’ shouted everyone else.

‘Hip hip!’ said the voice again.

Annabelle looked around. It sounded like the voice was coming from over the fence. And then it was her turn to shout ‘hooray’, because coming through the back gate was Nicole!

Nicole was still wearing her basketball dclothes. She was bright red in the face.

‘Did you win?’ asked Annabelle.

Nicole pulled a face.

‘Well, actually … ’ she said.

Annabelle’s heart sank. Poor Nic! She must have lost. What a shame!

But then Nicole’s face broke into a smile. ‘We won!’

‘That’s so great!’ said Annabelle, jumping up and down.

‘Is anyone going to blow out these candles?’ asked Uncle Bob. ‘The cake is going to catch on fire soon!’

‘Oops!’ said Annabelle.

She turned around and blew out all the candles in one breath.

‘Don’t forget to make a wish!’ said Chloe, who had hobbled back outside.

Annabelle shut her eyes and thought about what to wish for. Usually she wished for a pony.

But today she had a different wish.

I wish it could be my birthday forever!

Annabelle’s mum handed her a knife with a pink ribbon tied around the handle. As Annabelle cut the cake she was careful not to touch the bottom so her wish would come true. Then her mum cut the cake into slices and handed them around.

Nicole took a bite of hers.

‘Hey, this is like the cake I had at my party!’ she said.

‘It’s from the same bakery,’ explained Annabelle. ‘It’s so yum, isn’t it?’

‘It is yum,’ agreed Nicole. ‘But the ones your mum makes are even better.’

‘Yeah,’ said Michiko. ‘Your mum’s cakes rock. I love all the cool shapes and colours she makes them.’

‘Me too,’ said Lola. ‘I always love your invitations, too. I’ve kept all of them!’

Annabelle stared at her friends. She was too surprised to say anything. Did everyone like her old parties after all?

‘I thought … ’ she started to say.

But Annabelle didn’t get to finish her sentence because suddenly Sophie yelled, ‘Look out!’

Annabelle spun around.

The fold-up table the cake was sitting on was starting to collapse!

‘Oh, no!’ cried Annabelle.

She rushed forward to catch the cake before it fell. But before she got there she tripped on a rock and fell flat on her face.

A second later the cake toppled off the table. It fell with a splat beside her.

‘Are you OK?’ asked Michiko, helping Annabelle up.

Annabelle looked down at her clothes.

There was a big grass stain on her shirt and a rip in her skirt. And birthday cake everywhere!

When Mum sees my concert clothes I’m going to be in big trouble, thought Annabelle, her eyes blurry with tears.

That was when Annabelle decided she’d had enough of this party. Everything was meant to be perfect on your birthday. But things just kept going wrong.

Annabelle ran into the house and into her bedroom. She got changed and then flopped down on her bed.

It was strange. Not long ago she had wished that her birthday would last forever. Now she just wanted it to be over.