‘That’s very nice of her, but I just looked online, and a tiger costume is still a tenner. I know that doesn’t sound like much.’ She dropped her hands, but Bella could see the pink tinge to her cheeks. She was embarrassed, and Bella felt for her.

‘I completely understand. How does Leonie feel about changing parts?’

‘She won’t want to. She’s so excited about being a tiger. I feel terrible doing this to her, but if I don’t, she could end up looking like a laughingstock and then her friends would be mean to her.’

‘I wouldn’t stand for anything like that,’ Bella reassured her. ‘But I understand what you’re saying. Does she have an orange T-shirt and black leggings? We could then do some face paint at school? I’ll happily buy a palette to do the kids’ faces.’

‘She had an orange T-shirt in the summer, but I think she’ll have grown out of it by now and her leggings are too small already. I don’t know how I’m going to find the money for new clothes on top of everything else.’

Seeing her distress, Bella couldn’t help but reach out and take her hand. ‘Let me see what we’ve got in the dressing-up box and if not, I might have something somewhere. If she doesn’t want to change parts let’s see if we can make it work before I talk to Mrs Brody. Is that okay with you?’ Mrs Barnes nodded agreement. ‘I’ll have a look later before I go home and let you know on Monday.’

‘Thank you so much, Miss Moore. It’s so stressful at the moment what with December fast approaching.’

‘We’ll sort something out. Try not to worry.’

Mrs Barnes went off, calling Leonie as she did so. Bella hadn’t realised Mrs Barnes was having such troubles. There hadn’t been any changes in Leonie’s behaviour at school, but it must be so hard for her parents to keep everything normal at home with such worries hanging over them. If only there was something she could do. Evan had told her before she needed a thicker skin but she’d never quite managed to grow one.

Never before had she been so grateful to still live in Meadowbank near to her family and to have Evan by her side. She’d definitely see what she could do to help, just as her family would do for her if ever she were to need it. Fortunately, she never had.

How did she get so lucky?

Chapter 2