‘That’s right.’

He nods and pulls on his jacket. Then he sits back down on the sofa. ‘But I thought you said she was working?’

My heart speeds up. ‘Did I?’ For a moment, I think about inventing some job Mum could do at festivals – Thai massage or reading tarot cards, but I don’t think I can get away with lying to Ed. Instead I stop bouncing Elsa and look at him. ‘You’re going to be late for your toad in the hole,’ I say.

He stares straight at me. ‘Meg, where is your mum?’

‘My mum’s in a village in Myanmar,’ I say, then I laugh because Ed looks so amazed and it’s such a huge relief to tell someone. ‘At least, I think she’s in a village in Myanmar. To be honest she could be anywhere in the world right now. She’s not exactly been keeping in touch.’

After a moment he says, ‘When did she go?’

‘Nearly two weeks ago. It feels like it’s been months.’

‘So she’s just left the two of you on your own and gone on holiday?’

This sounds so bad, like a headline in a newspaper. ‘It’s not a holiday,’ I say. ‘She’s working at a clinic for sick children. It was a last-minute thing. She thought we would stay at my grandad’s place, but he’s got a lot of animals and it’s messy so I decided that we’d stay here.’ Then I say firmly, ‘I’ve got everything sorted out.’

He does this quick laugh, like he still can’t believe it. ‘So that’s why you’ve been looking so tired and acting strange at school.’ He’s got his phone in his hand and I suddenly wonder if I’ve been stupid trusting him. What if he rings Bella the moment he leaves the flat? What if he tells his parents?

‘Ed, you mustn’t tell anyone.’ My voice rises. ‘If people knew we were on our own here, Mum would get into trouble. They could take Elsa away from her … from me. We’re doing fine.’ My hands tighten round her and for a horrible moment I think I might cry.

‘Don’t worry,’ he says. ‘I won’t tell anyone.’

I rest my cheek on Elsa’s smooth head. ‘Mum’s back on Monday – I’ve nearly done it.’

Elsa escapes and crawls towards Ed. When she reaches him, she makes a grab for his hair.

‘Has it been hard?’ he asks, wincing as her little fists tighten.

I laugh. ‘The hardest thing I’ve ever had to do.’ I hold up my speech cards. ‘I don’t know how I’m going to get ready for the competition.’

‘I can help you. It’s what we’re supposed to be doing right now.’

‘You’re aiming to “totally destroy” me, remember?’

‘Oh yeah,’ he smiles and shrugs. ‘Well, my total destruction will be more satisfying if I’ve got an equal opponent.’

I’m about to say, ‘It’s fine,’ but instead I say, ‘I want to add this bit about atomic absorption – the Beer–Lambert Law – but I’m having problems with an equation.’