‘No, I don’t, Lola. She doesn’t sound like the kind of girl to be friends with if she’s constantly in trouble. You’ll end up in trouble yourself.’
‘Well, if I do, what does it matter?’
‘Lola, you’ve your SATS in four weeks’ time.’
‘Oh, Ruby says they’re just a waste of time. They’re just something the government made up so teachers and kids won’t sleep at night. You know, like Ofsted as well.’
I looked long and hard at Lola. ‘Have you got make-up on?’
‘Not any more. I knew you’d get cross.’ Lola didn’t appear particularly bothered about that possibility.
‘I would.I will.Don’t spoil your lovely skin when it’s so beautiful and natural. So, Lola, I suggest, even though it’s Easter Monday, you sit at that kitchen table and make a start on your school holiday work.’
Lola yawned. ‘Oh, not now. I will later. Can I borrow your iPad and take it to my room?’
‘No, I need it for recipes. What do you want it for, anyway?’
‘Oh, just to go on TikTok and Snapchat.’
‘You’re not allowed on them,’ I snapped. ‘You have to be thirteen.’
‘Well, Ruby’s allowed.’ Lola’s tone was sulky, combative.
‘Yes, well’ – I looked at my watch – ‘the police should have been here an hour ago. I’d watch my step if I were you. Holiday work! Now, Lola!’
21
‘Ooh, Mum, it’s really posh, like Ruby’s house.’ Lola’s eyes widened. ‘Lucky Sorrel living here. I wish?—’
‘Stop right there, young lady. Be thankful for what you have.’
‘Well, I’d like tohavea house like this. Like Ruby…’
Lola broke off as the huge front door opened to us. ‘Ah, the hockey player.’ George Sattar for some reason was at Kamran’s place. I supposed I should now saymy mum’splace.My mum and Sorrel’splace. I felt the sharp pain of being left behind once more. ‘Have you taken advantage of those gym passes yet, Jess?’
‘On my list of jobs to do,’ I shouted as he started to move back into the house. ‘And it’sJessica…’
‘What is?’
‘My name.’
‘Oh, OK, Jess-i-ca.’ He grinned back at me. ‘Now, I can recommend a personal trainer for you.’
‘I’m sure you can.’ I flashed an on-off smile I didn’t feel.Yes, you full-of-yourself tosser, and I can recommend a change of personality for you, I added silently as Lola shot off into the house in search of Sorrel and the much talked about suite of rooms. I followed in after her.
Sorrel was in her new bedroom, her eyes slightly red, Mum and Robyn with coffee, tissues and words of love and comfort attempting to mop her up.
‘Oh, sweetheart, are you OK?’ I swept her up into a hug, missing her already. This was my little sister, for heaven’s sake. The little sister I’d helped bring up when Mum had been too ill to do just that.
‘I’m fine, I’m fine! It will be fine.’ Sorrel blew her nose loudly.
‘Of course it will.’ Mum, Robyn and I spoke as one.
‘It’s just… it’s just I’ll miss you all. You’re myfamily. You know – all I’ve got.’
‘Of course we are,’ Robyn said, wiping a tear herself. ‘But we’re not going anywhere. We’re here, back home, ready to welcome you backwheneveryou want to come back. Which, I’d bet any money, youwon’twant.’
‘But it’s not reallyhomenow, is it? I mean,you’redown in the Dower cottage, Robyn, and Mum will behere, Dean in our house…’
