Ellie was great to sit next to in class. At first, I wondered if she might have a hard time keeping up, as she’d missed so much school. But Ellie was really clever and the light on top of Ellie-bot often flashed blue, which meant she wanted to answer a question. She told me that her mum had picked up all the books and printouts that she would need for this week’s lessons. Ellie had already become just another pupil in Badgers Class.

The last lesson of the day was science. We’d been learning about the digestive system and Miss Burnell told us to work in groups of three and gave us a printed diagram of the insides of the abdomen. We had to label all the parts. Ellie, Nia and I set to work and we’d finished it within minutes.

Nia leaned on her elbow and smiled at Ellie-bot.

“It’s such a shame you can’t come to the school fete on Saturday, Ellie,” said Nia.

The eyes of Ellie-bot wiggled. “I forgot to tell you!” said Ellie. “Mum said that Miss Burnell is going to take Ellie-bot along. So I can be there after all! Maybe not in person, but it’s the next best thing. Can I help on your stall?”

“Of course you can!” said Nia. “We’re in charge of the Hook-A-Duck game.”

“That’s great, Ellie!” I said.

*

At the end of the day we handed in our work and began to pack our things away.

“Are you riding your horse again tonight, Nia?” said Ellie.

“No,” said Nia. “I’ve got a French class straight after school and then a piano lesson.”

Nia zipped up her pencil case and threw it into her bag.

“My parents are keen for me to learn a second language and an instrument,” Nia said. “They think it’ll look good when I apply for university later on.” She pressed her lips together and smiled.

“OK, Badgers,” said Miss Burnell. “When you’ve cleared your desks, you’re free to go.”

“Bye, Anna. Bye, Ellie,” said Nia. “See you in the morning!”

She threw her bag over her shoulder and rushed off. I knew that on Tuesdays Nia’s mum would be waiting outside in the car with the engine running.

I put my books into my rucksack and Ellie-bot twisted round to face me.

“Thanks for working with me today, Anna,” said Ellie.

“That’s all right,” I said. “I’m glad you’re helping on the stall on Saturday. It should be fun!”

“Yes! I’m looking forward to it,” said Ellie. “And how about you? Are you doing anything nice tonight like Nia?”

I paused for a moment. I knew exactly what I would be doing tonight. Nothing.

I looked at Ellie-bot as she waited for me to answer.

“On Tuesdays I go … ice skating,” I said. It was the first thing that popped into my head.