I said, “I think you will. I don’t think that they’ll kill him. Will they? It’s not that bad.”

Flossie said, “Well, it’s all right for you to be philosophical, Miss Tallulah, but it’s not you cooped up in this goddam steamy house. In the middle of the hot season.”

Vaisey said, “I was hoping to go plectrum shopping with Jack at the weekend.”

It turns out the Tree Sisters and the rest of their dorm are confined to Dother Hall until someone owns up about who knew the boy.

I put my arms round them in a spontaneous Tree Sisters hug. As we hugged, a couple of the other girls from their dorm came by and gave Jo the thumbs-up. After they’d gone, Jo said, “Look, this is ridiculous. He’s my stupid boyfriend. You lot shouldn’t have to suffer. I’ll tell Sidone that I knew it was Phil and . . .”

The Tree Sisters shook their heads.

Vaisey said, “We’re all in this together. It’s a dorm decision, and anyway it could have been Jack who came through the window.”

Flossie said, “Yes or Charlie or Ben . . .”

Then, after a little pause, she said, “Well, maybe not Ben. He’s too floppy to climb that far.”

I didn’t see much of the Tree Sisters during the rest of the day because they had to do extra background reading over the breaks. They’re not even allowed to go out at lunchtime until further notice.

Jo whispered to me at the start of lunch, “It’s down to you, Lullah. You have to go to our Special Tree and see if there’s any news.”

I said, “Oh well, you know, it’s a bit sleety and cold and anyway . . .”

Jo gave me her maddest look. “See you when you get back. Wrap up warm.”

Oh holy moly.

I got togged up and slipped out of the side door. Brrrr.

I was truly a great pal. If Dr. Lightowler caught sight of me, she’d probably clap me in irons. Or expel me. She’s just waiting for me to do something wrong after the winking incident.

I sneaked round the side of Dother Hall and scampered into the woods.

No one was going to be there on a day like this anyway.

It was freaky deaky, silent and cold and spooky. I crunched along to the Special Tree. Brrrrrr shiver shiver.

No one there, just as I thought. So I can go back now and unfreeze my bottom.

Then Charlie came crunching into the clearing. Oh my goodness!

He smiled when he saw me and put his hands in his pockets. Gosh, he was nice-looking. He said, “Hello.”

I looked down; he was making me feel very red and shy. And for the first time in ages I felt my knees looming about trying to say hello all by themselves. I pulled down my skirt and said, “Hello.”

“Nice to see you, Tallulah. All by yourself?”

“Yeah, well, because of the . . . erm . . . potting-shed incident.”