‘Because of the school closing?’
Robyn shook her head.
‘Because,’ Joel went on, ‘after what happened last night with Blane Higson just off the school premises, and with what happened to me back in January on the school’s playing fields, it will, you know. The papers will get hold of the story and the local authority will be rubbing their hands with excitement.’
‘More than likely.’ Robyn nodded her agreement. ‘And that’s why I wanted the place to go out with a bang.’
‘Don’t think there’s any doubt about that.’ Joel gave a wry smile. ‘Once the demolition lot are in, it’ll be pretty noisy.’
‘No.’ Robyn sighed. ‘Nothing to do with the school closing down. It appears I no longer have a Danny Zuko.’
‘Oops.’ Joel actually laughed. ‘Losing your Sorrel to the dance school in London is bad enough. Losing Danny as well is just downright careless.’ He stood. ‘Right, Miss, off to the library to do some revision.’
‘What then, Joel?’ Robyn stood in front of him, arms folded. ‘What then?’
‘Er, lunch? Usual pizza, I guess. Then English with you this afternoon and then back to Castleford to my Aunty Judith’s place. Although, I reckon she’s had enough of me after all this time. Probably regretting agreeing to have me there.’
‘I don’t mean the rest of today.’
‘No, I know what you mean.’ Joel gave her one of his looks.
‘So?’
‘So, I don’t know. A place at some tech to do some course they allocate you to tick their boxes. Plastering or bricklaying or car mechanics or some such thing.’
‘A levels? Why not your A levels and then university? Get away from here? Do like I did and study English and dance and drama.’
‘Nah, not for me.’ Joel shrugged, flinging his bag over one shoulder. ‘I’ve got a record. I’m on a court order.’
‘So? And what about Sorrel?’
‘Sorrel’s going places. You know that. Once she’s in London, she won’t be back. The thing is, Ms Allen, I think a lot about Sorrel, but… you know…’
‘She’s coming back to play Sandy at the end of the summer term.’ Robyn hesitated. Should she be telling this kid how much Sorrel obviously thought about him? But surely that was up to Sorrel to tell him?
‘I thought you said it was all off.’
‘All off?’
‘Grease,’ Joel said. ‘You said it was all off.’
‘Not if you take the part of Danny Zuko.’
‘Me? You are joking!’
‘And why not?’
‘Because I can’t sing. Or act!’ He gave a dry little laugh. ‘See you, Miss.’
And with that, he headed for the door.
11
JESS
If I’d considered myself utterly miserable and indecisive about my life the previous morning, it was nothing compared to how I was feeling the one following both Blane Higson’s terrible accident and the removal of Dean from my bed, my house and my life. Unfortunately, the throwing out of Dean from the latter three necessarily meant his removal from most of Lola’s life once more.
‘Where’s Dad? Has he gone to work already?’ Lola asked while sending Arthur skittering across the kitchen floor after a rubber ball.
