Flora’s cheeks flamed and she just about managed to mumble hi. She sensed Heather staring at her in disbelief. She didn’t dare look at her sister because she knew she’d see judgement and disappointment in her expression. ‘Fancy a go?’

Heather stepped back in horror. ‘Not for me, thanks. I’ve just spotted Jess,’ she said, her voice full of relief. ‘Come on, Flora. Mum said we had to stick together, remember?’

Instantly Flora felt irritated. She wasn’t going anywhere. She turned up her face to the boy, whose name she still didn’t know, and said, ‘I’d love a go, as long as you spin me.’

Heather stood for a while, watching her sister giggling and flirting with the fair hand. She’d never seen Flora act like that before. It made her feel uneasy and she turned away in disgust. She could see Jess standing at the Big Wheel holding a giant candyfloss on a stick and waving her over. She was alone. That was what Heather admired about Jess. She was brave. She didn’t worry about turning up at something like this by herself. Heather hated crowds and loud noises.

Flora was off the Waltzers now, looking a bit green and giddy. The fair hand was holding her up, his arm snaked around her waist. He looked smarmy to Heather but she could see how much her sister fancied him. He was too old for Flora, not like the boys at school, and he walked as though he had something in his pants. Then they sashayed past her, Flora not even glancing in her direction. No, this wasn’t right. Heather stepped forward, arms folded, calling after them, ‘Where are you going?’

Flora tossed her long dark hair over her shoulder. ‘Just for a walk around the fair. Dylan is on his break.’

Dylan. Of course, that would be his name, something cool and a bit different, not Peter or Mike or Paul, like the boys at school. Oh, no, bloody Dylan. ‘Mum said we had to stick together …’ But her words were already lost in the hubbub and the music. Flora was too busy giggling at something Dylan was saying. She watched as they wandered off, his arm slung around her shoulders and hers around his waist.

‘Who was that?’ Jess was suddenly by her side, her lips glistening with pink sugar. The fluffy candyfloss was as big as her head.

‘Some bloke Flora met off the Waltzers.’