Page 46 of The New Girl

Ruby gave her friend a little smile. ‘I will and thanks. Sorry to bore you with my stupid problems when you’ve got so many of your own. Honestly, Safa, you’re so brave and strong.’

Safa smiled. If only Ruby knew. She wasn’t brave or strong at all. She woke up most nights crying from terrible nightmares about Baba. ‘I think we’re all just getting on with what we have to get on with. Everyone has problems.’

Ruby bit her nail. ‘I know, but some have more than others. The only problem Amber has is that she can’t wear a miniskirt on stage.’

Safa grinned. ‘Amber has many more problems; she is not a nice person. Baba always says there is a reason when someone is not nice.’

‘Yeah, it’s called getting everything you want and being spoilt rotten,’ Ruby said.

They giggled.

‘Mama’s coming to see the play, even though I’m only introducing it. I’ve explained the story to her, so she understands what’s going on,’ said Safa.

‘Mum and Dad are coming. Orla is looking after Robbie. Well ... they said they’ll come, but who knows?’

Safa put her arm on her friend’s shoulder. ‘I’m sure they will.’

Whatever happened, Safa thought, Ruby’s parents had to see the play. Their daughter needed them to show up for her this time.

CHAPTER NINETEEN

Ruby

Orla was painting her toenails bright blue when Ruby came in from rehearsing. ‘So, how’s the play going?’ she asked.

‘Good, except Amber is a total diva.’

‘Yeah, her sister’s a nightmare too.’ Orla dipped the brush into the blue nail varnish.

‘Orla?’

‘Yeah?’

‘Do you think Robbie will get a place at Grangepark?’

Orla stopped painting her big toe and looked up at her sister. ‘Knowing our family’s luck, probably not.’

‘Really?’ Ruby felt sick. Weren’t they due some good luck?

Orla shrugged. ‘I dunno, Ruby. I hope so, obviously, but I don’t think we should all get our hopes up. It’s really hard to get into that school and I just think it’s better if we expect the worst.’

But for once Ruby wanted to believe that it would happen, that things would change for the better.

‘Anyway, are you nervous about your big night?’

‘Yes, very. But Safa’s been amazing. She’s helped me so much.’

‘How come she hasn’t got a part?’ Orla asked.

‘She said she didn’t want one. She said she was happy to introduce the play and help out backstage. I think she’s still a bit shy about being new and a refugee and stuff.’

Orla frowned. ‘Why? She’s great and everyone seems to like her.’

‘Not everyone. Amber and Chrissie are pretty awful to her.’

‘Yeah, but they’re total idiots who are horrible to everyone, so they don’t count.’

Ruby supposed Orla was right. But she did think they were especially mean to Safa.

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