“What do you mean?”

She looks at me like she thinks I’m being sarcastic. “You must’ve noticed that there are very few people that look like me at this school.”

I hadn’t noticed until she started. I don’t know what to say.

“How long have you known her?” she says.

“Since the first day of school. We’ve always been best friends.”

“But you’re nothing alike from what I can see. What about the other two?”

“Steph and Emily? They joined our group last year. They’re ok – a bit vacant sometimes, but alright, I guess.”

“I don’t get you and Eloise.”

“I suppose it’s just that we’ve been friends for so long that I can’t imagine not hanging out with her, you know?”

“It doesn’t seem a good reason for a friendship to me.”

“She’s harmless,” I say, knowing that’s not true.

“It isn’t harmless when you’re on the end of the comments, stares, jibes. You know, someone deliberately left a banana skin in my bag the other day. Luckily I found it, but it was tucked right to the bottom.”

We walk along in silence for a bit, with Tracey walking straight through the puddles in her worn trainers and me dancing about, avoiding splashing my new white ones.

“She’s asked me to invite you to a party we’re having in a few weeks,” I say.

“Oh, really? She asked you to?”

“Yeah, she told me earlier. It’ll be at my house – my parents are going to America, so while they’re away, we thought we’d have a party before we go off on study leave.”

She hesitates, then smiles. “Cool.”

My stomach flips in panic. I really hope Eloise doesn’t cause trouble.

“You could ask your parents if you could stay over afterwards if you want? There won’t be any adults at the party, if that’s a problem? I mean, my housekeeper lives at the house, but the party will be in the pool house.”

“Sure, that’s a good idea. Um, does that mean I need a swimming costume? I don’t have one. The last time I swam was when my brother was a toddler and we went to local pool – I think it was in Retford. Like a verruca fest.”

“I have a few swimming costumes. I could lend you one. We can try some on this afternoon if you want – and go swimming!”

“Isn’t it too cold?”