‘Yes, she means a bottle of booze,’ sighed Anne. ‘Everyone has to bring a bottle to Charlotte’s parties.’

Was it her imagination or did Anne sound a bit fed up?

‘You okay?’ Claire asked her friend now.

‘Yes, I’m fine – just trying to work out the French homework. Have you done it yet?’

‘What? Oh no, not yet,’ admitted Claire.

‘Wow, that’s not like you,’ said Anne. ‘Look don’t worry about the bottle. Just steal it from your dad’s drinks cabinet – that’s what I do.’

‘My dad doesn’t have a drinks cabinet,’ complained Claire. ‘He only drinks wine.’

‘Well, a bottle of wine will do,’ concluded Anne. ‘Just take one – he won’t notice.’

Claire wasn’t so sure. And besides, she didn’t like the idea of stealing from her parents. Perhaps she could just ask them for one? But then they’d tell her she was too young to be taking bottles of wine to parties.

‘Look don’t worry about it. Try and sneak one from your dad but if you don’t manage it, I’ll bring an extra one just in case, okay?’

‘Thanks, Anne,’ said Claire, relieved. She knew her friend would help her somehow.

‘But,’ continued Anne, ‘after that you’ll have to work out a way to get booze yourself. Charlotte wouldn’t like it otherwise.’

Claire wondered silently how Charlotte would even know.

‘Perhaps you can get a fake ID?’ suggested Anne. But even she sounded doubtful. Claire was one of the youngest-looking girls in their year.

‘Hmmm, you think?’

‘No, you’re right. Maybe not,’ agreed Anne. ‘Hey, what about Paul? He could easily get some ID.’

Claire’s stomach contracted at the thought of him. ‘Don’t worry, I’ll work something out.’

‘Okay, see you tomorrow in form room?’

‘Yep, see you tomorrow.’

Claire replaced the receiver and was about to go back to her bedroom when she decided to have a look in the dining room. There was a side cabinet that held plates and cutlery and other tableware. It also had a cupboard where all the wine was kept. Opening the door, she counted six bottles of wine. Her parents didn’t drink that often – would they notice if one went missing? Probably not. She closed the cupboard and went back upstairs to her room. She would take one on Friday – show Anne and the girls she could get her hands on booze just like the rest of them. Besides, she didn’t want Anne running to Charlotte. And as Claire lay back down on her bed, she realised what she’d just thought about her own best friend. Anne wouldn’t do that to her.

*