The bus went quiet when the new kid, Nancy, got on. Shouts and laughter turning to whispers, eyes all over her. The girl’s mother was stood watching on the pavement, a worried look on her face. She stepped closer to the window. ‘I’ll see you later, princess, have a great day at school. I love you.’

Oh my God, what the hell was she thinking? Nancy turned towards her mother and hissed at her, cheeks beetroot, gritted teeth. ‘Will you get back in the house. Stop showing me up, you weirdo.’

Chelsea burst out laughing and she couldn’t help herself. ‘Come on new girl, or shall we call you princess?’

Nancy rammed two fingers in the air towards her mother. That seemed to be her induction over with as far as the kids were concerned. Cheeky? Tick. Attitude? Tick. Didn’t care what she said? Tick. She’d have no problems fitting in. There was still the seat left next to him and Ged felt his cheeks burning as Nancy walked down the bus towards him. He pressed his earphones deeper in his ears and pushed his head against the window, the cold glass squashed against his cheek. Nancy was nothing much to look at though she did have piercing sea-blue eyes. She carried a fair few extra pounds, but who cared if she liked her food. Chelsea was the first to introduce herself; mouth almighty was never shy at coming forward.

‘Yo, I’m Chelsea. You can chill with me if you want. This lot will corrupt you given half the chance. Whereas me,’ she smirked and licked her front teeth, ‘I’m a pillar of the community and I will mentor you to a brighter future.’

Ripples of laughter broke out. Liam Beechill piped up. ‘Don’t even listen to her, she’s had more nob ends than weekends. I’d stay well away from her if I was you, if you don’t want to get a name for yourself.’

Chelsea was gobsmacked but, being Chelsea, was back on the ball and ready to defend her honour sharpish. ‘Oi, nipper knob. Just because I haven’t slept with you, stop getting jealous. If you fancy me and want a date, then make an orderly line with the others and I will think about it.’ The girls were all behind Chelsea. Liam was a joker and loved the banter. But he had nothing to come back with, she’d well and truly shot him down. All the kids were picked up now and Gary could start to relax.The teachers always said getting the kids into the building was half the battle.