Page 6 of The New Girl

Miss Ingle must have noticed because her voice then went all gentle and she’d said, ‘I know things are difficult at home, but you must try to really focus on your maths this year.’

Ruby had been afraid to open her mouth in case a big sob came out, so she’d just nodded and hurried out of the classroom.

Safa was waiting in the bathroom when Ruby came out of the cubicle. She didn’t ask her if she was OK or anything, just silently handed her a tissue and patted her on the arm.

‘Denise told me Robbie is your brother and he has some problems, is that right?’ Safa said.

Ruby felt her face redden; she hated talking about Robbie. ‘He has learning disabilities and he uses a wheelchair,’ she muttered.

‘That must be difficult for you.’

Ruby wiped her eyes with the tissue. ‘Yeah, it is, but he’s very sweet sometimes too,’ she added.

She always felt she had to add that part. It was true too. For all the times Robbie was really annoying, hecouldbe sweet too. And it wasn’t his fault he was born that way. He didn’t get enough oxygen in his brain and that was why he was different.

When he was calm, Ruby read him books or watched his favourite TV shows with him. He lovedPeppa Pig. Ruby found it really boring and thought Peppa and all her squeaky-voiced friends were so annoying. But Robbie liked it, so she watched the episodes over and over and over again. When the theme song came on, Ruby would oink and snort along and Robbie would smile and shake his legs and arms. Moments like that were when Ruby liked her brother, loved him even.

Safa looked at Ruby with her big brown eyes but said nothing. It should have been awkward but for some reason it wasn’t. Ruby could see that somehow, Safa ‘got it’. There was nothing to say, so she didn’t fill the air with pointless words or comments.

‘We better get back to class,’ Ruby said.

Safa followed her out. They walked in silence and then Ruby said, ‘We have gym after lunch – did you bring in your shorts?’

Safa stopped. ‘What is gym?’

‘It’s gym class. Sports.’

Safa frowned. ‘What sports will we play today?’

‘Well, this term it’s football.’

Safa looked relieved. ‘I like football. I learned how to play it in the refugee camp in Greece. We had a good coach. She was from Somalia and she was very good at football.’

‘Cool. Mr Kowalski is mad into his football. He really wants us to win the cup this year.’

‘But I can’t wear shorts.’

‘Why not?’

‘Because I must be covered.’

‘Shorts do cover you.’ What was Safa on about?

‘My legs and arms must be covered.’

‘But you’ll be boiling! We’re playing in the gym hall because it’s raining.’

‘I’m used to being warm.’

‘But it’s silly. Just put on a T-shirt and shorts like all of us.’

‘I can’t.’

‘Why?’

‘It’s against my religion. I’m not supposed to play sport in front of men either, but Mama said that because we live here now I can as long as I’m covered.’

‘But you live in a boiling hot country – how can you go around in long sleeves and trousers all the time? That’s just mad.’

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