‘No one cares!’ Michelle yelled. ‘They’re all busy dealing with their own shit. Honestly, Bessie, everyone has so much going on, and it’s only a piece of paper, at the end of the day. My mum says exams are overrated, and look at my dad! He has loads of exams but that’s not what stops him working – good exams can’t make up for poor health and a bad back, can they?’ Michelle gabbled, as she did when she was nervous or lying, as if trying to fill the air and avoid either questions or comment.

Bessie was only half listening. ‘Did you hear Melanie say something mean as we left the hall?’

‘So, what’s new? Melanie always says something mean. That’s why she’s ugly even though she’s beautiful. Ignore her!’

‘And . . .’ Bessie said, closing her eyes, not really knowing where to begin.

‘And what?’

‘We need to talk about Lawrence.’

‘I know. I wish I hadn’t said anything, Bessie. I could kick myself, I really could. Can we just forget about it?’

‘No, it’s good you raised it. So, when you say you like him, is this a new thing or . . . ?’ It felt easier to broach the topic over the phone, where her friend was unable to read her expression – fraught with tension over what she was going to have to reveal.

‘Not really. I’ve liked him for a while . . .’ Michelle let this linger, ‘but you seemed quite keen and so I didn’t say anything and then we’ve kind of been smiling at each other a bit . . .’

‘You and Lawrence?’

‘Yes.’ The confirmation made her heart boom.

‘And so, when Tony told me he liked me,’ Michelle continued, ‘I wasn’t that surprised because we’ve been quite flirty and stuff, but obviously I didn’t want to do anything with him or say anything about it until I’d spoken to you. I didn’t want to hurt your feelings.’

Bessie’s jaw tensed with irritation that this conversation seemed necessary, but also in anticipation of Michelle’s own feelings getting hurt when she knew the full story.

‘I would never stand in your way with anyone you liked, especially if they liked you back . . .’ Bessie started cautiously.

‘Thank you, Bessie! I really hoped you’d say that! I’m so relieved – thank you.’

‘No, but . . .’

The doorbell rang and her mum ran up the hallway to open up, wiping her hands on her pinny as she went. Nanny Pat and Grandad Norm stood smiling at her from the front step with a large bunch of flowers and a big, brightly wrapped gift. Bessie gripped the receiver; there was so much more she wanted to say.

‘There she is!’ her nan yelled.