I can’t help but think that maybe Elle’s the daughter Mum should’ve had, the daughter she would’ve wanted.

But instead she ended up with me.

Chapter 2

‘Roar!’ I growl, leaping out from behind a mirror.

Elle squeals and giggles and then she hides behind a rail of clothes.

We’re shopping in London today, using vouchers from our Christmas presents. I found a big fur coat so, naturally, I put it on and pretended to be a bear.

Abir and Izzy widen their eyes at one another, as if to say ‘how immature’, but I catch Izzy grinning at me.

‘You’re so funny, Saff,’ Abir says a little flatly, in a way that suggests the exact opposite.

I ignore her. She takes herself a bit too seriously sometimes.

‘Hey, Saff !’ Elle calls from across the shop. A couple of older shoppers look on disapprovingly as Elle gallops across in a zebra jacket, and suddenly I feel like shy Saff again, worried they’ll tell us off the way that man did at the coffee shop last week.

The truth is, I’ve been trying to distract myself from everything going on today. This is the first Saturday in ages that I haven’t seen Mum. Last week, after we got back from the theatre and Elle had gone home, we had an argument – a horrid argument – and I stormed out of Mum’s flat. She never called or texted afterwards, and I didn’t text her either, so I assumed I wasn’t going round today.

I glance at my phone. Nothing. And somehow that hurts more than Mum’s angry words. Suddenly I feel annoyed all over again. I switch off my phone, as if to get back at her for ignoring me.

‘OK, let’s be serious now,’ Abir says, like we’re running some sort of covert operation. ‘Meet at the changing rooms in half an hour, yeah?’

‘Come on, Saff,’ Elle says, grabbing my hand and leading the way. ‘I need your help.’

I follow Elle obediently, just as I followed her on the second day of primary school. She decided we were going to be a snake, right in the middle of the playground. Elle, of course, was the snake’s head. I was behind her, hands on her shoulders. I felt silly and embarrassed at the time. Everyone was going to laugh at us, I was sure. But Elle was confident. She hissed and ran and giggled, and soon half of the playground joined us. Elle at the front, me following right behind. And that’s how it’s been ever since.

When we’re alone again we fall into that easy sort of conversation we have when it’s just the two of us. Sometimes we even forget where we are because the Saff and Elle bubble is indestructible – even an army of goblins couldn’t break through it.