‘I was wondering why Margaret gave me a funny look. Weird timing.’
‘I know.’
‘So what did Margaret advise?’
‘Well, she said two things: one of the things she was right about and the other thing she was wrong about.’
‘OK … ?’
‘Well, she said if I really wanted you to ask me to the formal, all I had to do was wait for the universe to work in my favour and you would in the end.’
‘Good old universe.’
‘Exactly.’
‘So that’s the thing she was right about?’
‘Yeah.’
‘And the thing she was wrong about?’
‘Well, she said something about you that I don’t want to repeat, but she was wrong about that, entirely.’
‘What was it?’
‘No, I’m not going to say. Margaret has a way with words, but she more or less implied that I wouldn’t want to go with someone like you.’ She paused and smiled. ‘But that’s the thing she was wrong about. Completely.’
I looked down, not sure what to say.
‘Anyway,’ she said, ‘I’m not in the mood for having lunch with her today and she’s very much her own person. I’d rather spend it with you, monsieur.’
‘OK, mademoiselle, lead the way.’
We sat in the Music Room corridor instead of the library. Jennifer with her back to one wall and me facing her with my back against the other. Our French books on our knees and my lunchbox between us, sharing my peanut butter and banana sandwiches, which turned out to be a favourite of hers too. I can’t remember exactly what we talked about; all I do know is that another French revision session got skipped and when the bell rang we had to go our separate ways.
Jennifer called something in French over her shoulder as she walked off, it sounded beautiful, but I didn’t understand it. I really needed to work on my French.
30
‘You not eating your pizza crusts?’ asked Mum, as I set my plate by the sink.
When we had pizza I always saved the crusts for last to dip into sweet chilli sauce.
‘I’m not really that hungry, Mum, you can give the crusts to the birds, I should probably just get to Ronan’s.’
‘Sure I haven’t finishedmypizza yet,’ Dad called from the dining room. ‘What’s the rush for this evening? I’ll drive you if you hold on ‘til I’m finished.’
‘I just … I’ve got something I can’t wait to tell Ronan and …’
‘I’ll drive you,’ said Mum.
‘But you’re working tonight,’ I said.
‘I know but I still have time.’
Mum’s efforts at getting family life back on track were starting to become normal. She was still doing a few night shifts but had been getting up earlier in the day so that she could eat with Dad and me. But offering to drive me to Ronan’s house on a work night was a first. I smiled to let her know I noticed without making a big deal out of it.
‘So,’ Mum said as we pulled away from the house, ‘what’s this thing you’re so keen to tell Ronan about?’
