She ran from the room, almost colliding with Sean, Tyler and Greta who had been waiting outside the door.

‘You all right, Nic?’ asked Sean. ‘Your arm didn’t drop off in the night?’

That was probably about the most brotherly, affectionate thing Sean had ever said to her. It almost brought tears to Nicola’s eyes.

‘I’m fine,’ said Nicola. ‘What’s that you’ve got there?’

Sean was holding a long rectangular parcel under his arm. ‘We saw the parcel waiting at reception for you downstairs,’ said Tyler.

‘It’s from Enrico,’ said Greta, pointing at the back of the parcel, where Nicola could see a big red wax crest and Enrico’s name.

Nicola felt her heart begin to thump.

Sean laid the parcel on the bed and they all looked at it with foreboding.

‘I don’t think it’s going to be anything nice,’ said Shimlara.

‘But I guess I’d better open it anyway,’ said Nicola, and she began to tear at the paper.

24

Nicola didn’t mean to scream when she recognised what was in the box. It was just that it gave her such a horrible feeling.

At first she had thought it was an animal. An animal with soft, shiny brown hair. Maybe a dead animal.

‘What is it?’ asked Sean confusedly.

And then Nicola had recognised the distinctive golden brown colour. It was the colour of Katie’s hair.

Enrico had cut off Katie’s beautiful long brown hair and sent it to Nicola!

That’s when she screamed.

‘But what is it?’ cried Shimlara. ‘I don’t know what it is!’

‘It’s Katie’s hair,’ said Greta quietly. She reached into the box and pulled out the long strands of hair. ‘He cut off her hair so she’s not a hairity any longer. He’s made her ordinary.’

‘But he hasn’t hurt her, right?’ said Tyler. Panic made his voice skid in all directions. ‘It’s just her hair. That doesn’t matter, does it?’

‘Didn’t she say she was going to cut off her hair when she got back to Earth?’ said Shimlara.

‘Yes,’ said Nicola, trying to calm herself down. ‘She did say that. So hopefully she won’t be too upset.’

‘There’s a letter for you,’ said Sean, reaching into the box and pulling out a silver envelope.

Breathing quickly, Nicola took the letter and opened it. She read out loud:

Dear Nicola,
It gives me great pleasure to enclose your friend’s hair as a little something to remind you of your stupidity and selfishness. She has paid the ultimate sacrifice for your mistakes. I am sure that even temporarily giving up her revered hairity status will be the tragedy of her life – it will take her ages to grow it back! She has indicated to me that she will never, ever forgive you for it. I do not blame her.