By MICHAEL MORPURGO
Monday, January 1st
Dad was a bit bleary-eyed this morning. After last night I'm not surprised. We were up at the Duke of York seeing the New Year in, along with most of the village -- Jay, Uncle Mark, Auntie Liz, everyone _ the place was packed.
But
New Year 2001 for us didn't begin in the pub. I stood with Mum in the dark of the church and watched Dad and the others ringing in the New Year. He's a lot bigger than all the other bell ringers, and he rings the bell with the deepest dong. It suits him.
Afterwards, in the cold night air we all tramped through the graveyard to join the party at the Duke. An owl hooted from up in the church tower, and Dad called out: "And a Happy New Year to you too!"
Publisher: Macmillan
Price: $14.95
Age group: 8-12 yrs
