“This is me at ballet,” said Nia. She held the robot in front of a photo of her in a white leotard. The picture next to it was another one of Nia. This time she was sitting on a chestnut-coloured horse. “And here I am with Pumpkin,” she said.

“Oh, wow! Have you got your own horse?” said Ellie.

“Yes!” Nia said. “He’s such a soppy thing. You’d love him! I’m going to the stables after school today.”

Ellie giggled. Nia made it look so easy. They sounded like best friends already.

The robot’s head slowly moved up and down as Ellie looked around the board.

“There’s Anthony playing football,” Nia said. “His team won the league and he got a cup. And there’s Beatrice doing trampolining. Oh, and there’s another one of me, playing the piano.”

I hovered by the board feeling more and more awkward.

“Wow,” said Ellie. “You sure are busy, Nia. Are you on there, Anna?”

I swallowed. I had one photograph on the “Interests Board”.

“Yep. I’m in the top corner,” I said.

Nia lifted Ellie-bot up to the picture of me, Dad, Mum and Henry having a picnic.

“Oh, that’s lovely,” said Ellie. “I love being outdoors and watching nature.”

It felt a bit like she was just trying to be polite.

“Oh look, there’s Erin at her street-dance club,” said Nia. She stopped by a photograph of Erin wearing a black hoodie and grey sweatpants. “Are you coming to the school fete on Saturday, Ellie? Erin’s club are performing.”

Ellie-bot’s eyes drooped. “No. I won’t be able to,” she said quietly.

“Oh, that’s a shame,” said Nia. “Anna and I are running a stall. You could have helped too.”

None of us spoke for a moment. I was trying to think what I could say to make Ellie feel better for not coming to the fete.

“Hey, Ellie. Would you like to see the library now?” I said to the tiny round camera.

Nia scrunched up her nose.

“The library?” she said. “I’m sure you’d rather see something a bit more exciting, wouldn’t you, Ellie?” She turned Ellie-bot so that the camera faced her.

“I don’t mind,” said Ellie softly.

“Great!” said Nia. “We’ll go on a tour! You’re going to love it. Let me take you to find Shavina and Erin. You don’t mind, do you, Anna?”

I shook my head and Nia skipped off across the classroom and the door closed behind her.

I went over to my desk and sat down.

It was probably for the best. Miss Burnell should have chosen Nia to look after Ellie in the first place. But thinking that didn’t stop the feeling I had inside. I felt like I was deflating, just like a burst balloon. All of the air seeped out until I was very, very small indeed.

Chapter 5

Chapter Five