‘No.’
‘You’ve got nice eyes, sort of grey green.’
‘Thank you.’
‘My eyes are too small and too close together and my nose looks too big in selfies.’
‘Most people’s noses look big in selfies. Whatdoyou like about yourself?’
Tasha went quiet and tucked her legs up underneath her.
‘Nothing,’ she whispered so quietly that if Jules hadn’t been watching her lips she might have missed it.
She looked up at Jules with eyes which were neither too small nor too close-set and blinked, tears clinging to her eyelashes.
‘Maybe,’ she said with a fragile smile, ‘it’s because my mother’s never really liked me.’
‘Oh, Tasha,’ Jules gasped, longing to wrap her arms around the girl, but knowing that if she did, they might both break down. ‘What none of us realise at the time is that at fourteen we’re all beautiful. All of those pouty people on social media are not real and most of them are not happy. Imagine the pressure to look like that all the time.’
‘I sort of know that in my heart, but my head overrules it.’
‘I do understand that, which is why I try to limit my social media to feeds that make me feel happy and inspired rather than dissatisfied or inadequate.’
‘Mum’s always on social media, but I don’t think it makes her happy. She always wants what she can’t have. That’s why she’s attracted to Lance, because he’s unattainable.’ She cast Jules a sly glance. ‘You’re way more his type.’
Jules felt a bit sorry for Lance although she was sure he could stand up for himself.
‘Erin would really like him to meet someone. She’s worried about him being on his own when she and Fitz leave home.’
‘That’s a way off. Anyway, maybe he’s happy as he is. It’s better to be on your own than with the wrong person.’
‘But you don’t feel better on your own, do you?’
Jules picked up a cushion and hugged it to her.
‘It’s early days and you know what, I think I’m getting there.’
‘Most people want to be with someone else though, don’t they? I want to meet someone when I’m older.’
‘And hopefully you will.’
Tasha licked her lips.
‘Is this full fat milk?’
‘Yes.’
‘Do you know how many calories are in full fat as opposed to semi-skimmed?’
‘No. I just know that full fat tastes nicer and it’s meant to be better for you.’
‘Granny says that, too. I think you’re both right. I won’t have a biscuit though.’
‘I’m really not sure how we got on to talking about me when it’s you I’m worried about.’
‘Oh, I’m okay now,’ Tasha said. ‘I’m used to bouncing back. Granny says that’s the only way to be and she’s right.’
Jules glanced at the clock.
