'It's my birthday today, and I only got one birthday card from the postman.'
'Never mind, the postman was probably late and will bring you lots later,' said Carol, giving Sally a hug. 'Come on. Let's go and play a game.'
Carol and Sally joined the other three children, Jack, Jez and Susie, and they all settled down to play a Feelings Game.
Carol spread all the picture cards face down on the table and the children took turns to find matching pairs.
'Right, who's going first?' asked Carol.
'Me!' said Jack.
He turned over two cards and looked angry when they didn't match.
'OK, Jez,' said Carol. 'Your turn.'
Jez turned over two funny faces and looked delighted that the cards were the same.
'You're next, Sally,' said Carol.
Sally turned over two happy faces but she still looked glum.
'You know,' said Carol. 'I think we should switch on the computer.'
Ping! went the computer. There were two messages - both of them for Sally.
They were birthday e-mails with music and pictures moving around on the screen. One was from her grandma in Scotland, the other from her grandma in Manchester.
'They're funny!' said Sally.
Then the phone rang three times, and each time the call was for Sally.
The first call was from her auntie, the second was from her big cousin, and the third from her dad. All of them were ringing to wish her a happy birthday.
Then Sally's four friends sang 'Happy Birthday' and soon it was time to go to the park.
On the way out, Sally noticed the happy face cards on the table. She picked one up and smiled a broad smile.
'Snap!' she said and gave her childminder a big hug.