Magical bond at the heart of amazing real-life Matilda story

GIGGLING together like best friends, Sarah Kneller and AngelJoy Marko are proof happy endings do not just happen in the movies.

- By Cyril Dixon

They forged a heartwarming bond out of harrowing tragedy and conjured up a piece of real-life magic that has been compared to Roald Dahl’s story Matilda.

Angel was left alone at the age of eight after her mum and dad died within four years of each other.

Sarah, her headteacher, took Angel into her home so she did not have to go into care.

A judge who appointed her as legal guardian compared their story to the popular children’s book, which became a film and musical.

Matilda is about a schoolgirl heroine who moves in with teacher Miss Honey after her parents disappear and they live happily ever after.

Friends

Angel, now 12, and Auntie” Sarah, yesterday told the Daily Express of their bond and the fun they share at home in Hertfordshire.

Angel said: On most nights I come home, then Auntie Sarah comes back, we have dinner and we talk about what our favourite bit of the day was.

“Sometimes we talk about what the worst thing was. We don’t see each other during the day so we just catch up. We cook together. I cook for her, she cooks for me.

“I see her as a friend in a way because I tell her everything. But at the same time in a respectful parental kind of way.”