Page 21 of The New Girl

Orla turned and looked down at her little brother’s smiling face. He was wearing a light blue jumper that matched his eyes and his blond hair was sticking up at the back. He beamed up at his sister. Orla paused and then, half smiling, whispered, ‘I love you too, even though you drive me nuts. Bye bye, Robbie.’

When Ruby turned back, there were tears in Mum’s eyes. ‘She does love him. She really does,’ Mum said, smiling through her happy tears.

CHAPTER TEN

Safa

Safa crossed her fingers under her desk. Mr Parson was about to read out the parts forThe Wizard of Ozand Safa could feel Ruby shaking beside her.

She reached over and squeezed her friend’s hand. ‘Good luck,’ she whispered.

Ruby nodded, too nervous to reply.

‘Dorothy will be played by Amber. Congratulations.’ Mr Parson smiled over at Amber, who was grinning from ear to ear.

Ruby’s shoulders drooped. Safa felt really bad for her friend.

‘The Lion will be played by Dervla, the Tin Man by Chrissie.’

Ruby shrank down in her chair.Please let her get the Scarecrow, Safa prayed.

‘And the Scarecrow will be played by Ruby.’

‘Yes!’ Safa didn’t realise she’d said it out loud.

Ruby grinned at her. ‘Thanks.’

‘I’m so happy for you. Obviously, I think you should be Dorothy but the Scarecrow is a much more interesting character.’

‘I’m happy enough,’ Ruby said. ‘I was worried I wasn’t going to get anything. It’s a pity Amber and Chrissie are two of the other main parts. They’re such cows.’

‘Just ignore them,’ Clara said, turning around in her chair to face them.

‘Clara,’ Ruby replied, ‘any chance you can help me with my lines after school?’

Clara shook her head. ‘Sorry, I have violin practice.’

Ruby rolled her eyes. ‘Denise?’

‘No can do, I have to go to my brother’s football final.’

Safa was a bit hurt that Ruby hadn’t asked her. She decided to offer to help. ‘I can help you if you like,’ she said.

Ruby turned to look at her. ‘Really? Would you?’

‘Of course, I’d be happy to.’

‘Thanks. But –’ Ruby paused. ‘We’d have to go back to my house because Mum has a dental appointment. Maybe we can do it tomorrow. I can go back to your house.’

‘No, today is good. I have football practice after school tomorrow. I’ll text my mum and tell her I’ll be late home.’

Safa waited until breaktime and sent her mother a text telling her she was going to a friend’s house after school and not to worry. She gave her Ruby’s address, so her mother wouldn’t start worrying, and promised she’d be home in time for dinner.

Her mother texted back that she was to be home by six sharp and that she was to call her when she got to Ruby’s house, so she knew she was safe.

Safa sighed. Mama suffocated her a bit. She was constantly worried something bad was going to happen. Safa knew it was because so many bad thingshadhappened, but she also needed to be allowed to breathe.

After school Safa walked home with Ruby. Her friend seemed nervous and kept fiddling with the strap on her backpack.

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