The boy gave a long-suffering sigh, as though it was bad enough having to share the tree with a girl, without them being this ignorant.
‘It’s someone who looks after you.’
‘Like a mum or a dad, you mean?’
Lily knew she hadn’t imagined the fleeting look of sadness on the young boy’s face before it was swept aside by one of contempt.
‘Yeah, well. Not everyone gets a great one of those.’
The nausea had thankfully passed, and Lily settled herself a little more comfortably on the thick tree branch, gripping it with her thighs as though riding a pony.
‘Is that why you’re so angry? Because you don’t have any parents?’
‘I have parents. Just shitty ones, that’s all. That’s why I’m with the ... what did you say the people who live here are called?’
‘The Bakers. Janette and Gordon. They’re really nice.’
The boy pulled a face. ‘I don’t suppose I’ll be here long enough to know if that’s true or not.’
‘Why not?’
‘They move me around a lot. I’m trouble.’
He said it as though it was a badge of honour that he wore with pride.
‘That’s sad,’ Lily said, her eleven-year-old heart ready to like anyone, even rude boys who swore at her.
‘Don’t go feeling sorry for me. I’m fine as I am.’
‘Liar,’ said Lily, shocking herself at the retort. She’d never called anyone one of those before. ‘I think you’re just lonely. I think you need a friend.’
‘Yeah, sure. That’s why I chose to climb this big old tree. Because I wanted to find a mate up here.’
‘Well, it worked, didn’t it? You found me. I can be your friend.’
‘Don’t bother. I won’t be here long enough.’
Lily screwed up her face in confusion. He really was the most awkward boy she had ever met. And not at all like the ones in her class at school.
‘How old are you, anyway?’ she asked her fellow tree climber.
‘I’m twelve. I’m going to be thirteen soon.’
‘Oh, when?’ Lily asked.
‘Why do you want to know? Are you going to throw me a party? Bake me a cake?’
Lily gave a broad smile. ‘Maybe I will. I love making cakes with my mum. Fairy cakes are my favourite.’
‘It figures,’ the boy said dourly. ‘You seem like a cupcakes and rainbows sort of girl.’
‘Cupcakes and rainbows. That’s cute.’
‘It wasn’t meant to be,’ the boy said, still determined to be mean, or at least that’s how it seemed to Lily.
‘What were you doing on the tree anyway, when I first climbed up?’
‘Doing? Nothing.’ He had gone straight into defensive mode.
