Page 134 of Seven Letters

‘Can you all please stop picking on Zach?’

‘Can you pick on someone if they’re not actually, like, present?’ Shocko asked.

‘I don’t think so,’ Johnny said.

‘Well, stop dissing him, then.’

‘What’s dissing?’ Olivia asked.

‘Dismissing,’ Mia explained.

‘Why don’t you just say that?’ Olivia asked Riley.

‘Because dissing is more street,’ Shocko said.

‘What in God’s name is he talking about?’ Olivia asked Charlie.

‘I think he means it’s more modern,’ Charlie said, smiling.

‘Oh, you lot with your LOLs and your FOMOs, I can’t keep up,’ Olivia huffed. ‘Why can’t you just use proper English?’

‘Correct English,’ Riley said.

‘What?’ Olivia asked.

‘It’s actually “pardon”, if you’re so keen on manners.’ Riley smirked.

‘Are you going to let her speak to me like that?’ Olivia glared at Mia and Johnny.

‘I think you mean “allow her to”,’ Mia said, with a grin.

‘Well, I never –’ Olivia’s huffing was interrupted by the front door opening.

Adam stood in front of them. His shirt was hanging out and he looked like hell. ‘Thanks for coming,’ was all he said, as he stood aside to let them in.

They trooped past him into the kitchen. The counter was laden with party food that lay untouched. The bouncy castle in the garden was deflated. The chocolate fountain was turned off.

‘What happened?’ Mia asked.

‘I couldn’t go through with it,’ Adam said.

‘Oh, thank God. So Izzy didn’t see her?’ Mia said.

‘No.’

‘You made the right decision,’ Charlie said.

Adam nodded. Rob came in with Izzy. She was in a pink unicorn onesie. Her eyes were red and swollen from crying.

Mia’s heart melted. She rushed over and hugged her. ‘How’s my little pet?’

Izzy shook her head. ‘I had a real bad day.’

‘Oh, Izzy.’

‘Mummy is gone. She’s – she’s not coming back. The machine was just making her breathe, but Mummy is not there.’

Mia looked up at Adam. He nodded sadly.

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