Michiko and the Match Girls

By Natalie Yates

Meet Michiko, a ten year old clever, but vulnerable, Japanese girl, who is startled to discover that she can travel back in time - thanks to a magical invention created by her Grandfather. Initially, she finds herself in present day London, where she meets eleven year old Cody, a boy who, because he frequently skives off school, is used to his own company and the streets of London. They meet up with Jack, a smelly old tramp friend of Cody's, and then unwittingly get sent back to nineteenth century London. Here they get to know a poor East End family and discover that this family's lives are about to change for the worse. If you enjoy adventurous, historical stories, then this book is for you. Also, if you have enjoyed stories by Michael Morpurgo or even Doctor Who, then try Michiko and the Match Girls. A time-travelling young female 'doctor' who comes face to face with monsters of the human kind!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Natalie Yates
• Release date: Jan 22, 2014
• ISBN: 9781311328441

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michiko and the match girls

by

Natalie Yates

Michiko and the Match Girls

Smashwords Edition

Copyright © Natalie Yates 2013

Natalie Yates has asserted her right under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 to be identified as the author of this work.

This book is a work of fiction and, except in the case of historical fact, any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

This book is sold subject to the condition that it shall not, by way of trade or otherwise, be lent, resold, hired out, or otherwise circulated without the publisher’s prior consent in any form of binding or cover other than that in which it is published and without similar condition, including this condition, being imposed on the subsequent purchaser.

This book is available in print at most online retailers.

For Jodie, Danielle and Eva

Keizoku wa chikara nari.

Literally: Perseverance is strength

CHAPTER ONE

A large silver edged tear rolled slowly down Michiko's cheek. The cloud that currently hovered over her life was as dark as the deepest ocean. Nothing would ever be the same again, since that black day nine days ago. It seemed like a lifetime.

Her grandfather laughed as he caught the ball Michiko had thrown so high. She got ready to receive the ball back, but the evening sun was in her eyes. She fell back over one of her Grandmother's treasured flower beds and found herself sat in the middle, surrounded by lilac hibiscus. Scrambling to her feet as quick as she could, expecting to hear her grandfather reprimand her any minute, she looked up and was immediately puzzled to see him lying on his back on the grass.

Gigi, Gigi! What are you doing? she shouted as she ran to his side. What she saw in his eyes as he stared into oblivion puzzled her even more and her stomach tightened with fear.

Michiko would always be completely astonished at how quickly Gigi left this life. To be one minute laughing and playing ball, the next flat on your back waiting for transportation to heaven, is almost inconceivable. But it happened and she had witnessed it, and that scene will live with her for many years to come. Her mother sniffed and wept at her side and her grandmother simply sat still, head bowed next to her mother. Michiko's mother had been living in a dream-like state since it happened, and had hardly said three words to Michiko, stuck in her grief. They listened to the priest chanting his sutra, then Michiko followed her mother and grandmother up to the front to offer incense to the urn which sat in front of her grandfather's coffin. He looked so peaceful lying there in his best kimono. Michiko had chosen to put some Pocky Chocolate in with Gigi as it was his favourite and she wasn't sure if it was available in heaven. Other friends and distant relatives then offered some flowers with their incense and placed them next to Gigi.

Once Gigi's casket had been sealed and transported to the crematorium, they then had to sit and witness the sleek, dark brown coffin sliding into the chamber as the priest continued to chant softly at the front. His voice was a distant murmur in Michiko's mind as she remembered the many times she and her grandfather had shared.

Michiko tripped up the steps to the observation deck of Osaka castle for the seventh time and whined, 'It's too hot Gigi, do we have to climb to the top?'

'One thing you always should remember Michiko, is that giving up on something is like killing part of you. Perseverance is power.' Michiko thought at the time how he sounded unnecessarily serious, they were only sightseeing after all. However, once at the top, they shared not only the magnificent view of the castle grounds and city, but also their favourite treat: black sesame ice-cream.

As Michiko would grow into the beautiful, wise woman she was destined to be, she would often recall her grandfather's many wise words, mostly popping into her head at the precise time they were needed. Although, it was several years before she learned to listen.

CHAPTER TWO

'Michiko, can you come here please, I need to talk to you?' called her mother through to Michiko's room. Michiko, who had been texting her best friend Asuka, put her phone in her pocket and walked into the living area. Sitting next to her mum, she wondered when she would return to her normal self again, if ever. She was so sad all the time; Michiko couldn't remember when she last saw her smile or laugh.

'Michiko, Baba and I have heard Gigi's will today. He has left most of his money and belongings to Baba naturally. But he has left some money to me, and to you he decided to pass on one of his treasured inventions. I'm not sure what it's called or what it does, but I'm sure you will figure it out. You and he always enjoyed spending time in his workshop together, so you may even know what he was intending to do with it.' Her mother passed her the box and as Michiko opened it she knew straight away that this was nothing she had seen or worked on before.

'Thank you Okasan, I will treasure it carefully,' she said not wanting to annoy her mother by revealing her ignorance of the contents.

Back in her room, Michiko, studied the object. It looked a bit like a digital camera, but also had a small display screen and what looked like a mobile phone attached. She looked again inside the box hoping to find some instructions or even a letter from Gigi, but to no avail. She put it back in the box and slid it under her bed. Then, pulling out her school bag, she sat at her desk and focused on her maths homework. Currently top of the class in maths, Michiko whizzed through her homework in less than 10 minutes. Feeling her phone vibrating in her pocket, she saw that Asuka had replied to her earlier text: 'nothing much, u want to come to cinema wiv us? Going to see hi school debut.'

'OK,' replied her mum, 'go careful darling. Enjoy yourself.' Michiko hugged her mum avoiding contact with her sad eyes.

'Love you Okasan. See you later.'

As she sat through the film and laughed with Asuka, the recent weeks blurred to the back of her mind. Once out in the brisk autumn air though, the grey cloud was still there over her head and