‘Well, it’s kind of like that. It’ll be fine again soon. Mum and Dad just need to get over their tantrum.’
‘Like Rue,’ she said.
‘Just like Rue.’
‘She said she’s not wearing her night-time splints tonight.’ Wren looked worried, an expression that wasn’t unusual.
‘She’s such a brat. Sheknowsthey’ll help.’ It was shit that she had to wear them, and it wasn’t like my heart didn’t sink when she fell or couldn’t join in with something, but I couldn’t help getting pissed off at the serious favouritism that had existed ever since she was born more than two months early. And if Wren felt it too, she never let it show.
‘I just don’t think they’re very comfortable. I’ll go and see if I can convince her.’ Wren left me alone with the rage that had been calmed slightly by her presence.
The next morning, I went downstairs to everyone eating breakfast at the table. Rue’s standing frame was beside her, and when I looked at the anger that darkened her face, I knew it was going to be a huge fight to get her to use it. She was supposed to use it an hour a day. Something to do with posture. Mum was already reaching for the chocolate buttons, her usual bribe.
I sighed – as if I’d ever have been allowed chocolate at breakfast at that age.
‘Rue, please. Listen, we’re going on holiday tomorrow. Just try and use your frame as much as you can before we go.’
I left before Rue exploded, and just about made it back up the stairs and into my room before I heard her yelling. I phoned Theo.
I lay back on my bed and smiled when his beautiful face filled the screen.
‘My mum and dad are freaking out at the minute. About myfuture.’ I rolled my eyes. ‘I need a hug.’ I pulled a sad face.
‘Well come and get one tonight. Ari is meeting some of the Birch ones up the Cave Hill, and it’s better than listening to my mum yelling at Kobe.’
I could sleep to Theo’s voice. Sometimes I played his voicemails on repeat at night, and within a couple of minutes I was drifting off.
‘Yeah, I’d love to, but I better lay low tonight.’ I wasn’t about to admit that Dad had basically locked me in the house. ‘They’re away on holiday tomorrow for four weeks though, so I’ll have a free house,’ I said, smirking at him suggestively.
‘Awesome. Can’t wait to come and keep you company.’
‘Tell me about it.’ I smiled. I rolled on to my side and let my hair fall over half of my face.
‘Are you wearing those cute heart pjs?’ Theo asked.
I lifted the camera high above me and showed him.
‘Mmm,’ he said. ‘It’s a shame I’m not there, but listen, babe, we’ll have all summer together, and Kobe’s mate’s parents have that place in Portrush. We can go down there too, and I’ll teach you how to surf? Forget all about this PG school stuff.’
‘Surf? I don’t do water any more,’ I said, wondering if he would ask me to elaborate, but knowing he wouldn’t. It had been over a year since I’d quit swimming, and he’d never really asked why.
‘You can chill on the beach then, babe.’
A knock at my door.
‘Shit, got to go,’ I whispered and blew him a kiss. He winked into the camera and hung up.
Dad walked into my room, sighing like I didn’t already know he was pissed off at me.
‘Your mother and I had a chat last night. You clearly can’t be trusted to be left alone while the rest of us go on holiday. I’m not leaving this house to be destroyed for four weeks –’
‘I’m not going to Nan’s, she talks to that cat like it’s an actual baby. Super creepy,’ I cut in.
‘You think I’d make Nan have you? No, Margot, you’re coming with us.’
‘ToEurocamp?’ I could barely get the words out. He couldn’t possibly mean that he wanted me to go to France with them to Camp Loser.
‘To Eurocamp,’ he confirmed. ‘You’re going to spend time with your family and maybe you’ll be reminded of what’s important in life.’
