How can you kiss the back of someone’s leg and then they just leave? I suppose people might call it calf love. (That’s one for my diary.)

I’ve written her a good-bye letter. With a proper ink pen and some paper that Harold made. It’s got pressed flowers embedded in it so it looks special. It says:

Dear Honey,

I am so sad you’re going away to the City of the Angels or Los Angeles as some people call it who have no art and theater in their veins. It will suit you to live in the City of Angels because of your golden hair and your honeyness.

Anyway, I just wanted to say I will never forget you, and perhaps when I do my world-famous Irish dancing tour, I will get to visit you in your luxury beach apartment. Because I just know you are going to the tippy top of the toppermost. You were always going to be a star, but also you are one of the nicest girls I have ever met.

And a true pal.

Good-bye, Honey,

I promise I will keep up all you taught me about my inner glowee and be proud of my knees.

P.S. And thank you for the snogging-the-back-of-the-legs lessons.

I have learned a lot. Now I just need some boys to practice on.

I remember what you said about not being too darty tongued.

And I am going to do that hypnotic eyes thing that you do.

I’ve tried it out in my head and it works a treat on me. I’d follow me anywhere.

Lots and lots and lots of love,

Tallulah

Your friend.

P.P.S. There are blotches where my tears have dropped onto the paper. It isn’t snot.

I struggled up the lane toward Dother Hall in a near-gale-force wind with the rain lashing down. It’s pointless having an umbrella. You might as well hold a piece of jelly in front of you. It’s turned inside out about fifty-eight times. Brrr and also grrrr. Just when you think the weather can’t get any more Northern it does. It surprises me that people here haven’t got webbed feet. In fact, I am pretty sure the Bottomly sisters have.

The weather matches my mood.

In assembly Sidone was dressed in black velvet and a veil.

She said, “The day has come, my girls, when one of our brightest stars goes to shine in another universe. Today Honey leaves us for Hollywood and sometimes only music really says what we can’t say. So her friends have put together a song for her. Vaisey, Jo, Flossie, and Tallulah …”

She beckoned us to the stage. This was our chance to show the school what Honey meant to us.

Flossie started on her own in her deep voice, slowly.

Honey, Honey,

Oh, Honey, Honey

Then Vaisey joined in with her lovely sweet voice.

You are our lovely girl

And we can’t help loving you

Then Jo joined in.

We can’t believe the loveliness of little you