‘What did you do that for, you bitch?’ Jonie’s face was a deep red.

Bella’s mouth dropped open. Jonie had never sworn like that before, and especially not at Bella.

‘Well? You that pathetic you have to cheat?’ Jonie stormed towards Bella, her pinched features almost touching Bella’s face, her finger jabbing into Bella’s chest.

‘It was an accident,’ Bella lied. ‘Sorry. Go again if you want.’

‘I will! And I’m facing you this time. You can’t be trusted.’

‘It’s only a game, Jonie,’ Amber interjected, trying to defuse the situation.

‘Only losers say that,’ Jonie retorted. And then, her eyes trained on Bella’s said: ‘And only losers cheat.’

‘I didn’t even want to play. I just wanted my lunch.’ Bella could hear the tears in her voice, and knew Jonie would also pick up on the fact she was about to cry.

‘You’re so boring, Bella.’ Then she laughed. ‘Boring Bella, Boring Bella,’ she sang. ‘Maybe we should make those the new words, instead of England, Ireland.’ Her wide grin was filled with a viciousness that made her face ugly. Bella felt her own face grow hot. Inside her head she was screaming: ‘You’re ugly, Jonie. Jumped-up Jonie, Jumped-up Jonie.’ She really thought she was something special and could get away with treating people badly. But, Jonie was probably right – she was boring. And she was weak. She’d never stand up to Jonie Hayes. Which made Bella hate herself almost as much as she hated Jonie.

Chapter Fifty-Five

2019

Anna

Tuesday 16th July

‘Why don’t you go next door, have a morning coffee with Sandie, Mum? It would do you good.’

‘I’m not feeling very sociable.’

‘Which is why it’s a good idea. Force yourself, otherwise you’re going to end up a recluse.’ She silently added: like Billy Cawley was. Muriel shook her head.

‘Seriously, please. You’re really worrying me now.’

‘I’m fine. Just because I don’t want to go around to my neighbour’s does not mean I’m becoming a recluse, Anna.’

‘Sorry, I’m only trying to help. This house feels like it’s suffocating us both, that’s all.’

‘Well, you go next door then,’ she said.

Anna was as good as smashing her head against the wall. ‘Maybe I will,’ she replied, her voice shrill. She was taken back to her teenage, childish outbursts when she and Muriel would do battle on a regular basis, particularly when Anna was attempting to go outside of Mapledon on nights out. It had been tedious as a teenager to grow up in a tiny Dartmoor village, miles from any excitement. Of course, they’d all wanted – been desperate – to escape and flock to the brighter lights of the nearest town. Although, in reality, they weren’t that bright. There were more pubs in Bovey Tracey, but that was about it. The closest club was twenty miles away and until they were a bit older – able to successfully get in with fake ID – there was no point in arranging transport to get there; it was too much hassle just to be turned away and made to feel stupid. Anyway, anything had been better than The Plough in Mapledon, the pub where all their parents frequently drank, so at least Bovey had given them something.