Page 133 of Seven Letters

Silence.

‘He’s not a nerd. He’s actually quite cool.’ Riley crossed her arms defensively.

‘Really?’ Johnny sounded doubtful.

‘Yes, really.’

‘He sounds lovely, Riley.’

‘Mum, don’t say lovely. When parents say a boy is lovely it means he’s a total loser.’

‘True for girls, too. My parents told me their friend’s daughter was “lovely”. She was five feet tall and five feet wide, with a face like a slapped fish,’ Shocko said.

‘Fine. He sounds nice,’ Mia said.

‘That’s worse.’ Riley groaned.

‘Oh, for goodness’ sake, sporty, cool, whatever. Can we please go now?’ Mia huffed. ‘We’ve more important things to be doing. I want to see Izzy and make sure she’s OK. She went to see Sarah this morning and I’m really worried about her.’

‘Let’s go,’ Johnny said, putting his arm around Mia.

Riley linked Shocko’s arm. ‘You’re coming, too, to protect me from Mum’s inquisition about Zach.’

They walked out, Mia praying Adam would behave and not start another argument. She didn’t have the energy for it.

51

They all stood at the doorstep.

‘What do you think this is about?’ Charlie asked. ‘An olive branch?’

‘I think Izzy went to see Sarah and is traumatized and he wants us to be there for her,’ Mia whispered.

‘I cannot believe he let her see her mother like that. I don’t think I’ll ever be able to forgive him.’

‘I agree completely, Dad, but to be fair to him, Izzy was absolutely insistent.’

‘Well, if he says one rude, insensitive thing, I’m out of here,’ Charlie said.

‘Quite right, Charlie, and I’ll be behind you,’ Olivia said. ‘If he even looks at you sideways, I’ll start the car.’

‘What if he looks at him sideways by accident, like, not in a dodgy way, just in an oh-look-there’s-Charlie way?’ Shocko asked.

Olivia regarded him for a moment. ‘Are you Riley’s boyfriend yet?’ she asked.

‘Steady, Olivia,’ Mia said. ‘Shocko is her best friend, you know that. Her boyfriend is a boy called Zach. Apparently he’s very good at the high jump.’

‘Shut up, Mum,’ Riley said, making a face.

‘High jump?’ Charlie didn’t sound impressed.

‘Yes, Granddad.’

‘Pity it isn’t football.’

‘Too right,’ Johnny said. ‘Or rugby.’

‘Oh, yes, that would be nice.’

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