She tiptoed past Heather’s room. Her door was half closed and she could just see the edge of the camp bed on the floor where Jess was sleeping. The girl hardly ever seemed to be at home. A floorboard creaked under her foot and she paused, waiting to see if she had woken anybody. She was just about to continue towards the staircase when she heard a movement behind her. She froze, and turned slowly. Jess was standing at the entrance to Heather’s room in a Snoopy nightshirt, her hair standing on end, rubbing her eyes sleepily.

‘What’s going on?’ she whispered.

Flora put a finger to her lips and inclined her head towards the stairs in a follow-me gesture. Jess looked confused but she shadowed Flora down the stairs until they were standing in the hallway by the front door. Goldie came bounding up to them and Flora had to shush her as well. ‘Please, don’t make any noise,’ she whispered.

‘Are you running away?’ asked Jess, her big brown eyes wide with horror.

‘No. But don’t tell anyone, particularly Heather,’ whispered Flora. ‘I’m going on a day trip. Away from Tilby. With Dylan. Will you cover for me? If anyone asks we’re at the fair. We’ll be back before dark. Mum will never know I’ve gone. But, please,’ she urged, ‘don’t tell Heather.’

Jess shrugged. In her nightclothes with no make-up she looked younger than fourteen. ‘Okay.’

‘Promise.’

‘I promise.’

‘Okay. Great.’ Flora sat on the bottom step and slipped her feet into her heavy DMs, tying the laces quickly. She jumped up. ‘I’ve got to go.’ She kissed a surprised Jess on the cheek. ‘Thank you.’ She hoisted the bag further up her back, gave Goldie a quick hug, and snuck out of the front door, turning once more to flash Jess a grateful smile.

From her bedroom window Heather watched Flora move deftly over the gravel driveway, like a cat burglar. And then she eyed Jess’s empty bed. She’d heard every word they’d said and it broke her heart. Don’t tell Heather.

There was a time when Flora had told her everything. They never kept secrets from each other. And now here she was, sneaking off to spend the day with her boyfriend, asking Heather’s best friend to lie for her. She remembered Dylan’s cruel words from the other day. Always tagging along after her. You’re such a cling-on. She hates you.

Was it true? She was beginning to think that maybe Dylan had been right.