His mum smiled and poured the Coke into a glass while he dug into the cake, shovelling it in as quickly as possible.

‘It feels like ages, Paul, since we had a catch-up!’ she started, sitting opposite him. ‘How’s school?’

‘Fine.’

‘What’s your new timetable like?’

‘It’s okay.’

‘Mr Calvert for biology, isn’t it? What’s he like?’

‘He’s okay.’

‘Does he give you lots of homework?’

‘It’s fine – manageable.’

‘Of course it is, pet.’

There was a pause in the conversation and Paul slurped his drink, relishing the sweet fizz of the unexpected treat. He knew his brief responses were frustrating for his mother, but he also knew that if he started opening up to her he might never stop.

She tried again. ‘How’s Gavin? You never seem to mention him these days.’

Paul felt his stomach drop at the sound of his name.

‘Well, we’re not in the same classes any more so I don’t see him that often.’

‘That’s a shame – shall I call Susan and see if she and Gavin want to come over?’

‘Mum! I’m too old for playdates!’

‘I know, I just thought it might be nice to catch up – I haven’t seen Susan for ages and Gavin – well, I’m not sure I’d recognise him! Do you remember when the two of you were learning to ride your bikes?’

She laughed, a high unnatural sound and Paul knew he had to get out of there.

‘Just don’t, Mum. Just don’t call anyone, okay?’

She looked up at the tone of his voice as he stood and the expression on her face all but broke him.

‘I’ve got homework. Thanks for the cake.’

And with that, he fled.

16

Claire rubbed at the lipstick with a tissue in disgust, leaving her lips stained. What was she doing? She hardly ever wore make-up. Why was she making so much effort for him anyway? Claire stared at herself in the mirror. With her long blonde hair, blue eyes and a forehead she’d always thought too big, she looked the same as she always did. So why did she feel different? Was it the thought of having to kiss him?

Since the Queen Bees had given her the challenge, she’d been so relieved that it wasn’t anything too horrible (she’d eventually found out that Anne had had to storm into the staffroom and scream fire, getting detention for a week, for her challenge). Claire hadn’t really thought about the impact of her own actions. But when she remembered the look on Paul’s face when she approached him in the library, she was conscious of the fact that she was using somebody, and it wasn’t a pleasant feeling. She knew her parents would be horrified if they found out.