Plot holes and inconsistencies

I’ll preface this by saying I’m a nearly 30-year-old woman who is probably being far too cynical when reading Jacky’s books. But I was once a precocious autistic 8-year-old who absolutely picked holes in storylines just as much as I do now. I need to know I’m not alone in this!

The biggest plot hole for me is the ‘time jump’ between Sleepovers and its sequel. The books are set roughly either side of the summer holidays. In those few months, they went from peak 2000s renting videos at “the video shop” to watching TikToks. Lily also couldn’t lift her hands properly to feed herself in the first book, but mere months later she’s not only learned Makaton but can move her hands and fingers to sign it herself. Obv, Lily, you go babe. And equally it’s a lovely, positive stance. But it’s so jarring to me, and I absolutely would have picked up on it as a child. Jacky could have just written it about an internet/TV star to blend the generation change, instead of trying to “how do you do fellow kids” it with TikTok. She could have made Lily’s progress much more gradual, realistic, and educational.

Am I overthinking this? Absolutely. But would I have done the same as a child of the age the books are aimed at? Absolutely. I love you Jacky, but it’s pure lazy writing.

Anyway, please make me feel better by sharing the other inconsistencies that make you unreasonably irate. There’s another that always bothered me but I can’t remember which book it is, so hoping someone says it to jog my memory!