Page 81 of Our Secrets and Lies

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Ollie answered the door, dressed in his usual camouflage outfit.

‘Hey, Ollie, is Shannon upstairs?’ Kelly asked.

‘Yeah, she’s locked in her bedroom. She locks it all the time in case I borrow her stuff for my experiments.’

‘Well, it’s probably for the best.’

‘She’s so mean. She never talks to me any more. She’s always out with friends or locked in her room. She used to be fun, but nowshe’s just narky.’

Kelly knew how he felt. ‘She thinks you’re great.’

‘No, she doesn’t. She thinks I’m a head-case.’

‘She loves you, Ollie, just like Dylan loves me, but Dylan doesn’t talk to me much either. He’s always busy with football or out with his new friends. So I know how you feel. It’s kind of lonely, isn’t it?’

Ollie nodded. ‘Yeah, and boring. Shannon used to play with me the oddtime. Now she just roars at me to get out of her way.’

‘Do you have any mates from school to play with?’

Ollie shook his head. ‘Not really. Most of the lads in school think I’m too mad to hang out with. They only want to play football or tip-the-can. It’s so boring. The parents don’t want their kids being friends with me anyway, not since I set fire to Kevin’s playroom carpet. It was an experimentthat went a bit wrong, but Kevin’s mum said I was a bad influence and the other mums agree.’

‘Oh, Ollie, that’s tough. To be honest, no one in my new school wants to hang out with me either.’

‘Why? You’re so normal and nice.’

Kelly smiled. ‘Thanks, but the girls there think I’m a total loser and they tell me that all the time.’

‘That’s so mean. I think you’re great, and so does Shannon – andMum and Dad. Some of the boys in my class call me a retard in the yard when the teacher can’t hear.’

‘That’s bullying. Did you tell your teacher?’

Ollie looked straight at her. ‘Did you?’

‘No, but I’m seventeen. I can handle it. You’re only ten. It’s wrong.’

‘My teacher says bullying is wrong at any age. Teachers can’t do much, though. They can’t make kids like you, can they?’

‘I supposethey can’t. Do you have any friends at school?’

‘I have Larry – he’s my bezzie. He’s got ADHD and loves doing fun stuff too.’

‘I’m really glad you have him.’

‘Do you have anyone in your new school?’

‘Not really, but I have Shannon outside and she’s great.’

‘I’m glad she’s nice to someone.’

Kelly smiled and ruffled his hair. ‘I think you’re great and so does Granddad. I hear you’re visitinghim in his shed now. He must really like you because no one gets into his shed.’

‘Really?’

‘Yes. Onlyveryspecial guests.’

‘Billy’s cool.’

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