‘Okay,’ Mrs Hudson says eventually. ‘You can go now. That’s us done for this week.’

We all pack our books in our bags and I follow Laura towards the door until Mrs Hudson says, ‘No, Felix, not you. I’d like a quick word.’

‘But I’ve got cookery,’ I say.

‘I know. But I wanted a word about what happened yesterday with Mr Fields in geography.

I smile.

‘It’s not funny,’ says Mrs Hudson, catching up with me. ‘You can’t just shout out random things – you might think it’s humorous, but you’re affecting the rest of the group.’

‘I’m not laughing at that, and I don’t mean to get into trouble, it’s just geography – Mr Fields. See?’

‘You’re avoiding the issue.’

‘Am I?’ I say brightly, trying to make the situation less serious. ‘Sorry, I won’t do it again.’

‘But you said that last week, and the week before that.’

‘I know, but I mean it this time.’

‘Do you?’

‘Yes,’ I say with my serious look. People think I don’t care, but I do, it’s just I can’t help what I say or the funny expression they say I have on my face.

Mrs Hudson looks at me for a long time, like she’s wondering if I mean it, then she says quietly, ‘Felix, is there anything in particular that’s bothering you? I know you have trouble concentrating, but some of your teachers tell me your behaviour has been getting worse lately. Like just now.’

I shrug.

‘So is there anything?’

‘Nope.’

‘Are you sure? Do you think it would help if we sat down and had a chat with your mum and dad? What do you think?’

I think they are too stressed. I think they can’t afford to take time off work.

‘I’m okay,’ I say. ‘I’ll just try harder.’

‘Promise?’

‘Yes. So can I go now?’

Mrs Hudson smiles wearily as she takes her hand off the door frame. ‘Yes,’ she says. ‘You can go now.’

I walk out into the corridor. Everyone seems to think there’s something wrong. I don’t know if there is, but I do know I’m getting into more trouble. Just like Mum said last night. I went up to my room to get away from her, but she still went on, saying that if I don’t behave I’ll end up having to work long hours packing at the factory like she does, or have to stay on an extra year to pass my exams. She started to say something else about Dad, but I didn’t hear because I closed the door.

*

When I get to cookery class, everyone has their heads down kneading dough on the benches. I look around for Jake, but he’s already paired up with Rebecca, which is weird because he doesn’t really like her.