‘I have my ways.’ Her mum smiled and at that moment, Claire thought she had the best mum in the world.

‘I have to pack it!’ she cried excitedly, her hands pulling the bag out. She looked at it for a few moments, admiring the gold zips in the shape of the HEAD logo. With its detachable side pocket and lock and key, it was the only thing she’d wanted for her final year at school. The girls would be so jealous!

Opening the main compartment, she carefully placed her new pencil case and gym kit inside. Holding the strap, she slipped it over her shoulder and admired herself in the mirror. If this didn’t seal the deal to get into the Queen Bees, the exclusive secret club run by popular Charlotte Jarvis, she didn’t know what would. Well, she would find out soon enough. Tomorrow was the first day of school after the summer holidays and she couldn’t wait to show off her new bag.

*

Claire applied her Body Shop lip balm in the girls’ bathroom. Kiwi-fruit-flavoured. Gross. She hated it but all the girls had it, so she did too. She had about five minutes before the bell went and she smiled to herself with satisfaction. What a great first day back it had been so far. She’d been right about her new school bag – the girls had crowded around her admiring it and demanding to know where she had bought it. She’d been as mysterious as her mother the day before and it had worked like a charm.

‘You’re an absolute shoo-in now,’ whispered Anne, her best friend. Anne Nicholl had been inducted into the Queen Bees last term just before school had broken up for the summer and while she’d been pleased for her friend, she’d had to work hard to supress the jealousy that it hadn’t been her.

But today was her day. Claire was sure of it. Just one more class to go and then she would be inducted. That morning, as the girls had marvelled over her new purchase, Charlotte had entered the cloak room followed by what Claire silently nicknamed her faithful three – Tiffany, Louise, and Vivian. The group surrounding Claire had parted to let Charlotte through. The two girls had eyed each other before Charlotte spoke.

‘Hey, Claire… how was your summer? Been shopping I see?’ Charlotte eyed the bag appreciatively before turning slightly and Claire saw Charlotte carrying a lilac and white version of the sports bag. But then with glee Claire had noticed it didn’t have the detachable section like hers did.

‘It was good thanks, how about you?’ Claire answered hoping her own larger version wouldn’t work against her before adding, ‘Loving the colour of your bag.’

‘We’re like twin sisters,’ replied Charlotte, acknowledging the compliment with a smile and Claire had felt relief at the approval.