Katie Morag and the Worst Day Ever Katie Morag

# Katie Morag

# Run away across the ocean

# Katie Morag

# Over the sea to Struay

# Katie Morag

# Run away across the ocean

# Katie Morag

# Over the seat to Struay. #

'My name is Katie Morag McColl and I live on the island of Struay.

'I suppose it's quite wee, but it's ginormous to me,

'and everyone looks out for me

'when I'm out and about having my adventures.'

# Katie Morag. #

Whenever I ask Grannie Island why she doesn't have a television,

she says it's cos she has a window.

I don't see why she can't have both, but I know what she means.

I love looking out my window.

Some things look different every day.

Like the colour of the sea and the clouds in the sky.

Other things stay the same, like the hills across the bay

and Grannie Island's croft, which always looks so warm and cosy.

And even Mrs Baxter, who comes down every morning

to see who's on the ferry and catch up with the gossip.

I reckon I must be the luckiest girl in the whole world.

There isn't a single thing about living here on Struay

that I'd ever want to change.

-Look what I did.

-Oh, that's lovely, sweetheart!

Och, the wee soul.

It'll be something to remember us by when you're over in Glasgow.

We're going to Glasgow?

Oh, I'm so sorry.

Was it meant to be a surprise? Och, never mind.

How long will we be staying for?

Cos I need to be back for Agnes' party.

Er...

I'll just leave you to it.

(Sorry.)

Come away through, Katie Morag.

We'll have some breakfast and then we'll have a talk.

Pancakes! And it isn't even my birthday.

So, when are we going on holiday?

Well, it's not exactly a holiday.

-What is it, then?

-You know how we pay rent for the house every month?

Yeah, to that guy, Mr Oven Dish.

Cavendish, that's right. Cos he's the one who owns it.

Well, Mr Cavendish wants the house back. He needs it for himself.

So, where are we going to live?

Well, we're not sure yet.

Well, Grannie Island has a bigger space.

But Granma Mainland has a big TV.

Oh! It's not just that. It's finding a job.

We won't have the shop and post office, either.

What are we going to do?

We've decided to move to Glasgow.

So, we won't be living on Struay any more?

We'll come on holiday, visit the grannies.

Katie Morag! Katie Morag!

Let her go. She just needs a wee bit of time.

We all do.

Shh.

-It'll be all right, sweetheart.

-I don't want to go away.

Och, I know, a thasgaidh. I know.

You'll come with us, won't you?

-Well, I...

-You've got to.

There'll be no room for me.

You can sleep on my bed. I'll sleep on the couch.

Who'd look after Alecina when I wasn't here?

Who'd look after the lamb?

But we'll talk every day, though.

I'll get one of yon Skypie things like Granma Mainland has.

You don't know how to use it.

Well, I'll learn. It can't be all that difficult.

Oh, no, Grannie. There must be something we can do.

Och, I don't think so, sweetheart.

I really don't think so.

I'd never been so sad in my whole entire life.

MUM SINGS IN GAELIC

The flat in Glasgow is yours as long as you want it.

-We couldn't possibly...

-Don't be silly! I'm just sorry it's so small.

FOOTSTEPS ON STAIRS

Oh...

She's asleep.

Why now? He's had this place for ages

and he's never shown the slightest interest.

Not like his father, eh?

The old man had his faults, but that wasn't one of them.

It isn't Cavendish, so much as his wife.

-Fallen in love with the place.

-She's never even been here.

She's seen photographs. Something about the light.

So, they don't have light in Edinburgh?

She's apparently very creative. Reckons the place will inspire her.

Well, I'm sure it will. For a while, anyway.

Then winter will set in. I wonder how inspired she'll feel then.

And what about him?

-Has he not got a job to go to?

-It's all computers nowadays.

-Can do it from the top of Mount Everest.

-His mind's made up.

The lease runs out in six weeks.

He won't be renewing it. Not without a miracle.

Staring at the ceiling, eh?

I've done a fair bit of that myself the past wee while.

-I was thinking.

-What about?

Neilly Beag's hat.

What about it?

He had the same one for years and years.

It was full of holes and Granma Mainland really hated it.

But he really liked it.

And nobody thought he would ever get a new one.

And he did.

And I was wondering why he changed his mind.

-I think Granma asked him to.

-She just asked?

She probably asked really nicely

and explained why it was important to her.

But, yeah, she just asked.

Any particular reason you're thinking about Neilly Beag's hat?

I think about lots of stuff.

Night-night, darling.

Night, Dad.

All she did was ask nicely

and explain why it was important to her.

Maybe miracles weren't so difficult, after all.

Next morning, I woke up bright and early and got straight to work.

"Dear Mr and Mrs Cavendish.

"My name is Katie Morag McColl and I live in the post office on Struay.

"I'm writing a letter to explain why living here is so important to me.

"I've lived on Struay my whole entire life.

"And though I like visiting other places,

"I wouldn't want to stay there and never come home.

"One of my favourite things here

"is collecting firewood on the beach with my grannie.

"She tells me all about the funny wee sea creatures,

"like starfish and barnacles.

"The one thing we don't do much of is collect firewood.

"But she never seems to mind.

"It's not just Grannie Island.

"Everyone on Struay is friendly. We're like a big, happy family.

"When my sister Flora was born, everyone came by to see her

"and they all said how beautiful she looked.

"Which was really nice of them,

"cos she actually looked a wee bit odd,

"though I think that's the same with all newborn babies.

"Every day's special here on Struay, but Friday's my absolute favourite.

"That's when the most folk do their baking

"and I can smell the yummy things they've made from my window.

"I'd need to write a hundred letters

"to tell you all about the wonderful things here on Struay.

"Like Neilly Beag and his wee boat, which he sometimes lets me row.

"Though never when it's actually in the water.

"And Granma Mainland, who had a secret kiss with Neilly Beag

"then married him out on the beach,

"even though they're both about a hundred!

"Afterwards, we had a ceilidh in the hall

"and people said it was the best party they'd ever been to.

"I think the city's very nice and I like going there on holiday.

"But there aren't any beaches or rock pools.

"And I wouldn't get to row Neilly Beag's boat.

"So, please, please don't make us leave.

"It would be very ever so kind of you,

"and you would be my very best friends for ever."

I was really pleased with my letter and I was sure it was going to work.

All I had to do now was wait.

And I hate waiting.

Anything for me?

Er...

-Have you taken up weightlifting?

-No.

Did you order a carton of McAllister's Sheep Shampoo?

-No.

-'Fraid not, then.

-DOOR OPENS

-Morning.

-Good morning, Mrs Baxter.

-Have you heard the news?

-What news?

-The Cavendishes are coming tomorrow.

-What for?

Well, someone wrote a letter telling them how wonderful it is here.

Got Mrs Cavendish even more excited.

She wants things ready,

so they can move in the minute you flit to Glasgow.

Someone wrote a letter to her? Oh, whoever would do a thi...?

It's all my fault.

It most certainly is not.

I thought I could make a miracle.

Ah, well, you see, miracles aren't all that easy.

That's why they're called miracles, instead of...

well, instead of something else.

At least you tried. That's what matters.

What's that thing Grannie Island always says?

Babies are more trouble than billy goats.

The other thing.

It's not how often you fall that matters,

but how often you pick yourself up.

So, you just keep picking yourself up, Katie Morag,

no matter how often you fall.

Because that's what matters.

And because that's the kind of girl you are.

I'd best go in and finish off the mail.

You come in when you're ready.

It wasn't how often I fell that mattered.

It was how often I picked myself up.

I suppose she meant I should keep on trying.

I should think of another brilliant idea.

But for the first time ever,

I began to think my brilliant ideas might be all used up.

SHIP'S HORN BLARES

Mr and Mrs Cavendish will be here any minute.

-You should at least say hello.

-Don't want to.

MUM SIGHS

To be perfectly honest, neither do I.

That's why your dad's gone.

But just because we don't like what they're doing

doesn't mean we can rude.

SHIP'S HORN BLARES

Right, that's them.

Come on, Katie Morag.

Dad really loved this place.

Well, no wonder. It's even more adorable than I imagined.

And that sweet old couple on the ferry.

-Were they speaking Gaelic?

-They were, indeed.

Oh! I have to learn it. Do you think I should learn it?

-It isn't easy.

-I need to understand the poetry of this place.

-How can I if I don't speak the language?

-Hello.

-Hello.

-Hi.

-Welcome to Struay.

-BOTH: Thank you.

-I hope you're hungry.

-Um...

OK.

Oh...

-(Hi.)

-I wasn't sure how you like your scones.

So, I made both types, just in case.

-You were expecting us?

-Aye.

-But we didn't...

-Small place. News travels fast.

Part of the charm.

And speaking of charm,

will you look at the light coming in through that window.

Oh, it's got so much potential.

I think we should knock that wall down, open up the space.

Maybe I could hang my Italian watercolours along the back.

Right, lovely. Er...

It's going to be a gallery.

My stuff, mostly, but we'll invite a few guest artists.

But what about the post office?

Everybody uses e-mail these days.

And, anyway, the island needs a gallery.

-It needs a shop.

-I'm sure we'll sell little souvenirs and knick-knacks.

You can buy all your little essentials online. That's what I do.

-Where's little Katie?

-Katie Morag.

-I can't wait to meet her.

I've got this image in my head of this darling little girl

scampering barefoot over the hills.

-She'd be in her wellies.

-Wellies? How perfect.

-There she is there.

-Oh, Katie.

Oh, you're just how I pictured you.

-Um, pleased to meet you.

-And we're so pleased to meet you.

Here, I...

-No.

-What?

Well, Terry and Peter have a lot of chatting to do

and I was going to hire somebody to show me round the island.

But if Katie's available...

then perhaps you could take me.

-What?!

-Katie Morag!

Sorry. I mean, I can't. I have to tidy my room.

-It's an absolute midden.

-Oh, that's a pity.

Couldn't Mummy let you off just this once?

-I suppose I...

-DOOR OPENS

So...

What's going on here?

Mrs Cavendish wants me to show her round the island.

Oh, dear.

Well, that's a pity. I was actually hoping to borrow you myself.

I'm needing help with something very important.

Oh, well...

There wasn't really something important, was there?

So, she wanted you to show her round the island?

Why would I want to help her?

Och, she's probably that used to all this fussing round her.

Still, that's no excuse for forgetting our manners.

I know, but...I wish I hadn't sent her that letter.

If I hadn't said how nice it was then maybe she wouldn't have...

What is it?

-I thought I'd lost my knack for having good ideas.

-And?

-I think I've got the knack back.

-Oh, right!

Right.

Are you sure about this?

If Mrs Cavendish is going to live here,

she ought to know all the best parts.

And I reckon I know the best parts better than anyone.

Now, let me just grab something warmer.

Uh...

Where do you want to go first?

Oh, well, I'm entirely in your hands.

What about the Seabird Cliffs, then?

Seabird cliffs, it is, then.

I might just pop back and get my jacket, though.

It's a wee bit chilly.

Chilly? I'm boiling. Can't remember the last time it was so warm.

So, uh...

You'll be needing the full six weeks, then, will you?

-How do you mean?

-Well, Miriam's keen to move in as quickly as possible.

Oh, I, er...

Oh. You know, forget it.

I'm sorry I asked.

About the shop... Is there really no way you could keep it going?

Maybe just a wee space in the corner of the gallery?

Miriam's got a lot of paintings.

Paintings! Oh, I love paintings. What are you talking about?

Struay's going to have its very own art gallery.

Oh, that's wonderful. And this art gallery's going to be...?

Right here.

Oh, how convenient!

Then I'll be able to enjoy the paintings

-while I'm doing my shopping.

-No, uh...

The shop will be closing.

And the post office.

Then we'll have no shop.

Or post office.

Well, I suppose that's the price we pay for art.

Uh...

Do you think there might be a chance

that you haven't thought this through enough?

I have.

Myself and Mrs Cavendish.

We've made our minds up.

-Is there far to go?

-A wee bit.

-Do you fancy a breather?

-Oh, yes!

-There. Next to the pretty wee loch.

-Oh.

-Beautiful, isn't it?

-Mm, I suppose.

-Oh!

-What's wrong?

Oh, it's the blasted midges.

Och, they're just being friendly.

Don't they bother you?

Gets a wee bit lonely here on Struay.

They keep me company.

Oh... Ohh!

Oh, no!

Ah! Uh!

Uhh! I've rested enough, thank you.

-Sure?

-I'm sure.

Uh... Right.

Look!

-Oh! Gooseberries.

-That's right.

Now, some berries are poisonous, so you've got to be really careful.

My grannie's an expert. She taught me the safe ones.

Aren't they sour?

Hmm.

Well, some folk add sugar, but we're always running out.

-You can't just nip to the supermarket to get more.

-I suppose.

Anyway, they're delicious as they are. Try one.

OK.

OK...

Eurgh! No!

-They take a bit of getting used to.

-Mm-hm.

Eurgh.

GULLS CRY

-Here we are - the Seabird Cliffs.

-Oh! Well, this is lovely.

If you clap your hands, they all fly round.

It's quite a sight.

Oh, all right, then.

Ah!

Uh! Uh! Uhh!

Sorry! Forgot to tell you about that.

Eurgh.

-Are you sure this is a short cut?

-I always come this way.

Oh!

Oh! Stuck!

-Help me.

-Are you OK?

SPLASHING

-TEARFULLY:

-Of course I'm not all right.

My shoe. I've lost my shoe. I've lost my shoe.

They cost me £300.

At least you've still got the other one.

Just wait till I tell your mother.

You don't think I know what you're doing?

I know what you're up to. It's not going to work.

I am moving here

and there's nothing that you or anybody else can do to stop me.

I didn't mean her to lose her shoe, or to get so muddy.

I was beginning to wonder if this had all been another bad idea.

-DOOR OPENS

-That's them now.

-Mrs McColl, I'm afraid to say...

-I know all about it.

Oh! Taking our guest to the Seabird Cliffs

and...and playing that awful trick on her.

Oh, I've never been so embarrassed in my entire life.

And it will cost a pretty penny to have her blouse cleaned.

It'll be coming out of your pocket money.

But how on Earth could you know? It's only just happened.

Mrs Bayview passes that way on her morning constitutional.

She saw the whole thing.

There you are!

What are you doing?

Don't worry. I used to be a nurse.

-Oh, dear. I think you must be allergic.

-Oh.

Ohh! Blessed midges.

The Lady Artist was up there painting today.

She said that the wee blighters were even fiercer than usual.

There we are. Good as new.

-But how...?

-Mr McMaster came by with it half an hour ago.

The bog's at the back of his farm.

-Darling!

-Right.

-What happened? Are you all right?

No, I'm not all right. I'm anything but all right.

And would you please stop touching me?!

Terry...

We're leaving.

-But...

-Now, Terry.

-The ferry's not due for two hours.

-I am never coming back here.

-Wild horses couldn't drag me back.

-What about the bags?

We'll buy new bags.

She said what?!

We were spying on her.

Och, rubbish!

Said we sneak around, poking our noses

into other people's business and then gossip about it.

-Unbelievable.

-Did she say anything else?

Well, that's when she noticed me.

But there was one more thing.

She said it was like living in a goldfish bowl

and she wouldn't move here if it was the last place on Earth.

-What?

-That's right.

And do you know, I think she wanted me to hear that last bit.

-Does that mean we're staying?

-That's exactly what it means.

Yay!

Katie Morag!

Other people's business? Hm!

Has she never heard of being a good neighbour?

We're staying.

We're staying!

We don't have to leave.

Mrs Cavendish says she doesn't like us!

We're staying! We're staying!

We're staying!

Alecina, we're staying!

SHEEP BLEAT

Guess what, little ducklings. We're staying!

We're staying!

DOOR OPENS

-Have you heard?

-Heard what?

How horrible we are?

-How horrible who is?

-Everyone on Struay.

We're nosy, we gossip and we don't know how to mind our own business.

-Says who?

-Mrs Cavendish.

-If that's how she feels, why is she moving here?

-Moving here?

She wouldn't move here if it was the last place on earth.

You mean...?

Oh, Katie Morag!

Oh!

Hooray!

Yes!

I've had some really peculiar days,

but I reckon this one was the most peculiarist.

At the start, I was so miserable.

And by the end, I'd never been happier.

And then I got to thinking how strange people are.

I'd shown Mrs Cavendish all the worst things about the island,

but she still wanted to move here.

Then she saw the best things - how people look out for each other

and always try to help, no matter who they are.

I suppose it's like Grannie Island says.

It takes all types to make the world.

I'm just glad Mrs Cavendish is the type who doesn't like Struay

and I'm the type that absolutely loves it.