“Don’t be so mean,” I said.

Anu fixed me with a stare. “Are you talking to me?” she asked, and she pointed at her face.

“Yes,” I said. I was trying not to shake. “It’s really not fair to be rude about Jacob when he isn’t here.”

Anu sighed and stood up. “Dear, oh dear,” she said.

Next thing, Anu shoved me and I fell to the floor. My glasses went flying.

“Oops!” Anu sneered. “The poor geek tripped. Shall I get your mummy for you?”

I didn’t reply, and Anu bent down beside me.

“I tell you what to do,” she warned. “When I push, nerds like you fall over. It’s how life works, Cal. The hardest come first. Understand?”

And, with that, Anu punched me hard in the stomach.

“OWWWW!!!!”

I felt tears in my eyes but I knew I couldn’t cry in front of her.

“Don’t ever back-chat me again,” Anu added.

She slapped my face a couple of times and then at last she left me alone. I heard the door slam as she strode off with her mates, laughing and jeering.

I sat up and tried to clear my head.

“I found these for you,” a voice said.

It was Freya. She held out my glasses and I saw that one of the arms had fallen off.

“I’ve got some tape,” she said. “In my bag …”

“Er, thanks,” I said. Somehow I felt a whole lot better.

“You’re welcome,” Freya said. “Come on, up you get …”

4

The Outsiders

After that, no one saw Jacob for a week. And when he did reappear, he was really quiet. I wanted to say hello, but I was too scared that he might snap at me again. So I left him alone.

Then, one afternoon, Mum was waiting after school. She was in full-on hippy mode in a yellow hat, a navy anorak, ripped jeans and muddy green wellies. I hoped Anu and her gang didn’t spot her.

“Hey, Cal!” Mum gave me a big hug. “How was your day?”

“Good, but why are you here?” I said.

“It’s our first day!” she said. “I’ve got Verity with me.”

Verity was our red and white camper van. She was old and rusty and really slow.

“What first day?” I asked.

Mum ruffled my hair. “At the food bank, remember?” she said.

I had forgotten. In my bag, I had homework – mine and Anu’s.

“But I’ve got stuff to do,” I said.

“No problem,” said Mum. “You’ll have plenty of time later.”

There was no point in protesting. When Mum decided to do something, we did it. We trundled across the city to the hall of St Margaret’s Church.

A friendly vicar greeted us as we went in.

“I’m Toby Akinfela,” the vicar said. “It’s good of you to join us.” He looked at me and smiled. “And who’s this?”

“I’m Cal,” I replied. “Calloway Gill-Smith.”

Toby smiled again. “Calloway?” he asked. “Like the American jazz man?”