Chapter One
As Kathy Campbell walked down Consort Road to get to Peckham High Street, all that was on her mind was what was going to happen in a week. As much as she didn't want to think about it, it was so important and life-changing to Kathy, she couldn't help it. And when she did think about it, it got her angry and upset. She clenched her jaw tightly with every step she took. She also flexed her hands at the thought of her parents. 'How could they do this to me?' she thought, 'Do that actually hate me?' She could have screamed at the thought.
Kathy reached the end of Consort Road and turned right on Peckham High Street to direct herself to Cafe 101, the place where she was meeting her friends. They all said that they were coming since it wasn't long before Kathy was leaving for Southampton and then that would be it for their gang. It wouldn't be complete without the full eight of them, one missing just isn't right. In Kathy's gang there is Charlotte, also known as Lottie for short, who was beyond beautiful. Through the big window at Cafe 101, she was sat with the rest of the gang and the booth most used by them all and she could be seen in her trademark pigtail which her near white-blonde head of hair wore. What made her so beautiful was her sparkling blue eyes which never dimmed. Kathy has known Lottie the longest and considers Lottie as her bestest friend, vice versa for Lottie as well. Kathy used to live two doors down from Lottie on Bushey Hill Road until Kathy's family moved into a cheap flat for the time being.
Kathy's father, Richard has recently lost his business in plumbing, turns out people nowadays like to use big companies, even though they're more expensive, so the Campbell's are just renting for the moment, until the big move.
Sat next to Lottie's left is Roger, also known as Dodge the Rodge. Sounds silly, I know but it's mainly because he's always in the right place at the right time. Kathy could recall hundreds of times where Rodge had been naughty at school, made the boys toilets flood, pranked the teachers and even starting a food fight once but every time he hadn't been suspected by the teachers. He has a classic dark brown short back and sides haircut, accompanied with his brilliant green eyes, and that's why the girls fawn over him. He is a ladies man, and he does like to joke about with the girls of the gang but even though he's a smooth operator, he is only being friendly. Besides, no of them would ever go out with a guy like Dodge the Rodge.
Now, sat next to Roger's left is Linda, or also known as Loops, which is short for loopy if you haven't guessed. The gang considers Linda to be special in her own way, and she is a daredevil. Despite being loopy she has a very tidy black bob, and her eyes are nothing special either, just a dark brown. No, it's her smile that gives her away. The sneaky grin she gives when she's dared to do something is her trademark, a very lucky trademark since she had never broken a bone in her life, considering she has done countless dares for money, sweets and even a kiss once. She's very easy going and that's why she was accepted so well into the gang.
Across from Lottie is Mary, the biggest drama queen you'll ever meet and she has the most appropriate nickname, Queenie. As well as thinking that she's a queen it's for her hair. Through the window, you can see her hair which would without a doubt catch your attention. Her blazing ginger hair sculpted up into a big beehive do, never a follicle out of place, and she always has plenty of hairspray to go around. She's actually the beauty out of the girls. She has these hazel eyes that lock onto men, and she has a way of playing around with them. Out of the entire group, she's the hardest to please, mostly because she expects so much.
On Mary's right you would find Malcolm, also known as Mousey Malc because of his mousey coloured hair and small head. He is the brains of the gang even though he has a small head. He used to live in between Kathy and Charlotte and when the three were little, they used to play in the street together and they have always been good friends. As well as having slick back mousey hair, he has dull eyes and a very toothy grin. He gets teased a lot by Henry, you'll meet him in a minute, but Mary always sticks up for Malcolm, even though it's mostly to have a reason to argue with Henry since she doesn't like him much. Malcolm is wearing his trade mark blue jeans and white t-shirt. No one knows why he wears these clothes all the time and I don't think anyone will ask for the time being. And if you look under the table by his feet you can see his brown leather satchel which is probably carrying books if you looked in it. He always reads and this personality trait is what Henry likes use to pick on Malcolm.
Next to Malc, on his right, is Simon. No word of a lie that Kathy hasn't thought Simon to be more than a friend, but as he once said two years prior on his 13th birthday, he only thinks Kathy to be like his sister. Of course Kathy was distraught but she couldn't dwell on it too much since a relationship between two of the gang's member would probably cause the collapse of it, and no one wanted that. You can see the obvious height difference between Malc and Si, that's his nickname, and also the body difference. Si's a boxer and takes very good care and pride of his muscles. He has short dark hair and captivating grey eyes along with his classic cute cheesy grin. Kathy has always sighed when she thought about Si; it's a shame that he doesn't like Kathy. Kathy found it hard to deal with since Si's so perfect, though he does have a bum chin and Kathy would laugh when Henry took the mick of him.
Anyway, lastly, we have Henry who is sat on a spare chair on Si's right. His real name is Colin but one time at school Queenie found out that his middle name is Henry and she kept calling him Henry, and then it caught on so now they all call him Henry, even some of the teacher called him Henry once or twice. He is no doubt the most immature person you'll ever meet in your life. It's like he has the mental age of a five year old, and he's fifteen. He has long, unkempt, dirty blonde hair which falls to his shoulders and after that is just podge. He's not a big lad, but he is large. The only thing good about him is his eyes. They are a stunning blue colour and when looking into them, everything about him just goes away. Unless he's talking that is. His attitude is legendary around school, and he's very popular with the teachers as well. The teachers that hold detentions that is.
But despite having friends who are hair-raising, extra ordinary and just plain different, Kathy thought her parents would never understand how special they are to her and how much they mean in the long term. She's always bitched about her parents to her friends and seeing them for what would probably be the last time in Cafe 101, she would use this time wisely and probably do 70% goodbyes and 30% bitching. Or the other way around.
As Kathy opened the glass door with the sigh saying 'open' on it, bell up above rang loudly. The gang turned round in their seats and cheered as Kathy walked in. She put her fingers up to her lips as she saw the lady at the counter scowl at the noise, but she laughed any way. Linda got up and pulled a chair from a neighboring table and put it next to Henry so Kathy could have her seat.
She plonked down next to Rodge and sighed. She looked round at all her friends and saw them all smiling at her. And she couldn't help but notice Si's smile as well.
"Oh guys" she moaned with a smile. They all laughed in response.
"And so" Rodge started. Everyone turned their attention to him. "I now commence the last ever visit to the Cafe 101, situated on Peckham High Street with all of the gang present"
Everyone clapped and cheered at his announcement and Rodge half stood up and bowed.
"So, drinks, let me guess, six teas and two hot chocolates right?" Loops asked. The question was affirmed by nods and mumbles. At that point Loops got up and walked over to the counter to order.
"Right, Kat I know you didn't want a big farewell thing and don't worry we haven't planned a party, mostly because the only people who would show up would probably be us," the table hummed with laughter at Lottie's joke, "but we have however done a few speeches that we'd like to share with you as a goodbye"
"Oh guys, you really didn't have to" Kathy sighed, and at that point Loops came back and took her place.
"Well, we haven't got any time to waste so Queenie would you like to go first?" Lottie asked, gesturing Queenie's way.
"Of course. Kat, sweetie, you know I'll miss you like if I lost my hairspray" Kathy and the others gave a small laugh. "So because of this tragic time where we have to lose one of the best people in the world, I give to you Miss Kat Campbell a new Plix Hairspray..."
"What, why are you giving gifts?" Kathy asked quickly, looking worried.
"Kat, please take it, my mum would go mad if she knew I stole her money to get it and think of it as a reminder of me, please" Queenie smiled and passed it over to Kathy who took it wearily. She gave it a look over and stood up to hug Queenie over the table.
"Thank you so much, and I would of course hate it if you got in trouble with your mum, thank you" Kat smiled and placed the new hairspray can on the table. At that moment a waitress come over with a tray of steaming cups.
"Hot chocolate?" she asked. Malc and Lottie put their hands up to gesture them and she leaned over the gang to put the cups down. She then carried on putting down the cups of tea for the rest of them. Finally, she put three cups of milk and a sugar pot down and left.
"Next we have Malc" Lottie announced and Kathy looked over at Malc who digging into his satchel.
"Oh not you too Malc" Kathy groaned.
"Kat, deal with it, we have all got you something" Lottie snapped, but she smiled after.
Kathy looked back over at Malc who was now presenting a book to Kathy.
"It's new out this year and I thought that you would really like it" Malc smiled his usual smile and pushed the book towards Kathy.
"James and the Giant Peach" Kathy read out.
"Yeah, I have a copy and it's about a boy called James..." Malc started.
"Let me guess, there's a giant peach involved" Kathy smirked. Everyone laughed and Kathy pulled Malc in for a hug.
"Thank you Malc, I'm going to have a lot of spare time so I'll make sure that I read it"
Kathy started to skim the blurb whilst Henry was getting something from behind him.
"Here, Kat" Henry half smiled as he passed over a brown paper covered item. As she was opening it Henry started talking.
"Since you're going away you'll need to write to all of us."
At that point, Kathy had ripped off the final piece and discovered it to be a writing set with multiple envelopes inside.
"Oh Henry, thank you" Kathy smiled again. She put the set on the table and reached over and engaged in her first ever hug with Henry. Although it was quite awkward because of the positioning, Kathy felt much loved at that moment.
"So how long does it take for a letter to be sent, Kathy?" Lottie asked, sipping her hot chocolate.
"Um, well, because the post would have to be sent by boat, I'd say a few weeks" Kathy replied.
"Wow" Si gawped.
"I know. So if I do write, I'll make sure that everyone's letter is at least a page or more long" Kathy reassured.
"Yeah, when we write we're going to make sure we all send it together" Loops chipped in.
Kathy nodded and looked down at her tea. She started to feel it then, the bottled emotion. She didn't want to talk for a while in fear of the emotion taking action but as she kept looking down, the flood gates opened and a tear travelled down her face.
"Oh Kat" the others sighed and a few reached their hands over to grab hers. Rodge and Loops put their arms around her shoulders.
"Sorry, I just don't want it to happen. Talking about sending letters is too much, it makes it too real" Kathy sniffed.
"Look, Kat, if you're going to keep on crying then I'm going to cry, and I spent an hour doing my make up this morning so please stop" Queenie pleaded.
Rodge took a napkin and dried her eyes.
"Ok, time for more presents" Kathy smiled and the others chuckled.
"Right, so you can't have a writing set without a quality pen to write with" Loops smiled as she passed over a smaller brown package.
Kathy managed a grin as she gently un-wrapped the package. When it was revealed she looked at the front.
"Jesus Loops, a Sheaffer Lifetime and Imperial Touchdown pen. Wow!" Kathy exclaimed.
"Yeah, I stole my mums money to buy that too" Loops smiled. Kathy laughed and hugged Loops and Loops gave her a squeeze in return.
"Thank you so much Loops, it's so nice" Kathy smiled. She sure did a lot of smiling that day, despite its main purpose.
"Me next" Rodge piped up. He moved his body to the left to get something out of his pocket. As he sat back in his original position he had a small red leather box in his hand.
"Rodge, you're not going to propose are you?" Kathy asked.
"Only in your dreams" Rodge sneered. The others laughed as he handed the box to Kathy.
She opened it and found inside a ring with a flower carved into the front.
"Oh, Rodge, it's lovely" Kathy exclaimed. She took it out of the box and tried to put it on her index finger on her right hand.
"Oh, it's a little big" Kathy bit her lip.
"Try it on your middle finger" Si suggested. Kathy took it off and placed it easily on her middle finger. She then stuck her middle finger for all to see.
"There we go" Kathy giggled. They all smiled at Kathy's joke.
"And last but not least, Si's present" Lottie announced.
"What about you Lottie?" Kathy asked.
"Uh, yes, well I forgot to bring it" Lottie replied.
"Typical" Kathy said and looked over at Si who was holding out a small gift bag. She took it from Si and gently brushed fingers. She tried hard to cover up her gasp.
Kathy put the bag on her lap and looked back up at Si, who was smiling very spiritedly. She gave a small smile back and opened the gift bag.
Inside she saw a small wooden photo frame. She pulled it out and discovered that it had already been filled.
"It's the one taken with my dad's camera" Si explained. The photo in the frame was the one where the gang are all bunched together on a picnic blanket at Hyde Park. The photo was only taken two months before and they all looked so happy in it.
"Oh my God" Kathy beamed, remembering the fond memory.
"Do you like it?" Si asked, he looked hopeful.
"Of course I do" Kathy replied, hugging the photo frame against her chest. "Thank you, all of you. This really means a lot to me"
The gang smiled at her words, glad that the presents made her happy. But the presents had a far greater meaning than happiness.
"Better drink up before your tea gets cold Kat" Loops observed. Kathy took long, hearty sips of her now lukewarm drink and licked her lips. Whilst the others were drinking she put what she could into the gift bag so she wouldn't have to carry it all separately.
"So, how was work for all of you?" Kathy asked with a smile. The only reason she was smiling was because she didn't have to go to work, but the others did now that summer was over.
Most of them groaned at the question and Kathy gave a bigger smile. The one who groaned the loudest was Loops. She works as an auxiliary nurse at Kings College Hospital and she couldn't hate it more. Her mother wanted her to work there since she works there herself, but since she's much older, she has been promoted a few times whereas Loops has to start at the bottom, the very bottom.
"If I see another old man wee himself again, I am going to quit" Loops frowned. The others laughed. "I'm serious though, for example, yesterday I was doing my shift, and I had just got out the pan for the man to, you know, do his business" Loops empathized. "And I asked him to get up so I could put it under and when I went to put it under he had already beaten me"
Everyone giggled again at her story, whilst Loops was scowling.
"It's not funny" she crossed her arms. "I'd like to see you guys do it for a day. Heck, you wouldn't even last a day"
"Yeah, thank God I want to be a beautician, I don't think I could deal with all the old people" Queenie grinned. "Only young and attractive people come to my hair salon"
"Yeah, but it's not actually yours though is it" Henry smirked. Oh how he loved to put Queenie down.
"Yes, you are right Henry, but I will own one myself one day" Queenie retaliated and stuck out her tongue at Henry, who stuck his right back at her.
"Well, whilst you two are bickering, I would like to cut in and mention that I have an audition tomorrow" Rodge announced.
"Oh that's great Rodge" Loops smiled.
"Yeah, good for you. What's the play?" Kathy asked.
"Well, it's called South Pacific and one of the actors dropped out so I sent in my reference and they want to see me tomorrow for an audition" Rodge beamed.
They all congratulated Rodge and wished him the best.
"So, when is the play?" Si asked.
"Um, I think that it runs from the 16th of October to the 28th" Rodge hesitated.
"So I won't be able to see it" Kathy stated. "You'll have to tell me how it goes"
She tried to put on a happy face but again it was overwhelming.
"I hate having to go away. I hate my parents" Kathy groaned. The others didn't really know what to say, so they just comforted her again.
"Where does your auntie actually live?" Lottie asked.
"I don't know, my parents mentioned some place called Kul-Kulgera" Kathy shrugged.
"Where the hell is that?" Henry half-shouted.
"I have no idea" Kathy sighed. "But I think it's near a beach so thank God for that. Did you know that when it's our winter it's Australia's summer? That means I'll have two summers this year" Kathy beamed.
"Lucky" Queenie scowled.
They were all silent for a minute, some of them finishing their drinks.
"So" Rodge started, putting his tea cup back on the table. "How's life at Jones and Higgins?"
"Oh, absolutely fantastic" Henry sarcastically sneered. "But I do get money for doing it so to be honest; I'm not going to complain"
"What, so you're gunna work there you whole life?" Queenie taunted. "Fun life"
"No" Henry denied. "I don't actually want to do anything but as long as my dad stops pestering me about being lazy, that's all I really have to do."
"Well, since we're on the subject of low wages and parents, I now have a job" Lottie beamed.
Everyone congratulated Lottie and asked where it was she now worked.
"Knightsbridge" she boldly replied. "It's a newly hotel, the Jumeriah Carlton, it's really posh"
Every one said congratulations again.
"Yeah, and it's about time to since my mum said she was gunna chuck me out if I didn't find a job by the end of the year, so, thank God"
"Kathy, stop smirking" Queenie scolded.
"Sorry, it's just you guys all have jobs and I don't have to work" Kathy smiled. There was really no point for Kathy to get a job since she was leaving really soon. She didn't know whether she would have to get one in Australia so she was enjoying the time when she didn't have to work. And that of course meant making fun of her friends
"Well I'm sure your dad will find you something out there" Si mentioned. Kathy looked straight at Si and he smiled at her. Kathy would have liked to think that it was a secret smile but she knew that he was just being friendly, which she hated.
In her crazy, surreal mind she dreamed of Si admitting his love for her and sweep her off her feet. Si makes money by doing the fruit and veg market and he was going to become a professional boxer soon so they wouldn't have to worry about money. They would be so in love they would be inseparable so she would have to stay in Peckham. Her parents would understand and they would leave for Australia and leave Kathy with Si's family. And her sister would stay as well since she still liked her.
'I hate having a wide imagination' she often thought to herself at times. She was right to think that though. Thinking about the impossible ruins reality for everyone and the line can get blurred at times. Kathy knew whatever she thought just made things worse but she couldn't help herself. She resented the thought of going to a whole other continent but she really couldn't do anything. Nothing or no one could or would help.
"Kat"
Kathy snapped back into reality 'Crap, thinking too much again" she thought.
"Kat, hello? Are you there?" Henry frowned. Kathy looked his way and his eyes were bulging in emphasism.
"What?" she babbled.
"Seriously Kat, you need to pay more attention if you're going out into the big wide world" Si smiled. "Literally"
Kathy just gave a small smile back; she didn't really appreciate the sarcasm. She can't help it if she wants to take a 'time out' from the rest of world.
"So Kathy, have you started packing yet?" Malcolm asked.
"No, and I don't intend to until the last minute. I have decided to protest. They might catch on but my mum's getting angrier every day when she sees my suitcase empty. I find it hilarious to be honest with you" Kathy giggled. The others half smiled, not really sure about how to respond.
"You know, Kathy, really soon you're gunna have to start packing" Loops pointed out. She had quite a sorrowful look on her face as she said it.
Kathy looked around at her friends. They all looked sorry for her. They felt sad for her since she was still living in the moment when she first knew about the move. She kept saying 'Oh, it's just a phase' and 'my parents aren't that spontaneous'. It's like Kathy still believed that she wasn't going and she still takes it as a joke. It's also quite worrying since for Kathy, it still hasn't sunk in. For her friends it sunk in when they all went round her new flat and all the boxes lying on the floor in their cramped living room. Even then Kathy still didn't believe them. And now, a week and a day to go and Kathy was still oblivious.
They all thought she was crazy. If anyone of them had their parents say to them they're moving country, sure at first they would ignore them but they all knew they'd have to accept it in the end. What they couldn't get their heads round was Kathy's determination not to get on that ship at Southampton. It was unbelievable on how her mind was set. They all feared for Kathy when she goes home. Surely moving country is stressful enough but having a reluctant daughter who wants to defy everything would have surely pushed her parents to breaking point.
"So how's your little sister dealing with it?" Lottie asked, genuinely worried for her sake. Living with stressful parents and an appalling role model of an older sister would have been tough.
"I'm trying to make Lisa rebel, but my mum's got her wrapped around her little finger" Kathy sighed. "Poor thing, it's obvious she doesn't want to go"
"Well what was her first reaction when you parents told you?" Queenie asked, her eyebrows furrowed.
"She was in shock like me, but she didn't shout like I did. To be honest she just there while I expressed what I felt. I would've hoped she'd have protest too, much to my luck I got grounded! " Kathy explained, rolling her eyes whilst finishing her sentence.
"Surely your parents would've expected you to get angry, why did get grounded" Rodge questioned.
"Well, before I went on my rant, they did say, 'I understand if you were angry,' and then I got angry and... I uh... broke my mum's china vase by flailing my arms a little too much in expression" Kathy half smiled.
The others started laughing at her mishap, as in properly laughing. Even though this was a saddening time, they needed the humor to stay positive.
"What'd the time?" Lottie asked, wiping the tear from her eye.
Malcolm looked at his wrist watch. "Oh, it's ten past four"
"We've been here ages" Rodge pointed out.
"Thank God you told me, my mum wants me home at 4:30" Queenie exclaimed.
"What, that means we only have like twenty minutes" Kathy cried. "I don't wanna leave!"
"Oh Kathy, don't worry we'll see you before you go" Loops reassured, placing a hand on Kathy's shoulder.
"I know, I know" Kathy sighed. She looked down to her bag gifts and contemplated for a second.
'This really is the end' she thought. Kathy sure did think drastically.
She picked up the gift bag where the presents were stored and placed it on her lap. She thumbed the picture frame sticking out of the top and sighed once more.
"Whatcha thinking about Kat?" Si asked.
"How much I hate my parents" Kathy mumbled as a reply.
"I understand that but it's not all their fault though when you think about it" Si indicated.
Kathy looked up in disbelief.
"Of course it's their fault. They chose to move to Australia, it wasn't my idea" Kathy protested. "My dad could've chosen a different job to do and then we could've stayed"
"True" Si started. "But he didn't and you can't really change it now"
"Si, are you being serious right now. You're pretty much saying you care that I'm leaving" Kathy complained.
"No Kat, I'm just acknowledging the inevitable. We have all accepted it now and yeah, it sucks. I... we hate that you're leaving for what might actually be forever but I don't want our last days together to be you complaining to us about how your parents are 'forcing' you to go to Australia. It's clear that they think this is best for your family situation so you might as well just suck it up and at least enjoy our last few days with us" Si dictated.
Everyone was speechless. Si had never raised his voice before, he was usually quiet. But Kathy was most shocked. She though Si to be lovely and despite being a boxer, quite gentle and kind. She didn't know how to respond to him or the others as she looked round and saw their normless faces.
"Well...I uh. I'm sorry I made you feel like that" she stuttered.
"Look, Kat, I'm sorry I raised my voice but you were just so clueless, we kinda felt sorry for you since you kept going on about how your parents weren't serious. Like I said, we hate that you're leaving and we are gunna miss you, but there is nothing you can do" Si explained with a saddened look.
And that was it. It finally hit Katy. It only took a rant from the man she thought she loved. Well, love is different in their 'relationship'. Yeah, it was harsh from Kathy's point of view but to be honest she needed it.
Before Kathy came in that day, the others all decided to meet a little earlier to discuss the situation regarding Kathy's 'mental state'. They all talked about Kathy leaving and bravely shed a few tears between them all without Kathy knowing. Lottie even talked to Kathy's parents to see what was really going on at home. They said that she has been a shut in since they told her they were leaving, only having meals in her room, only leaving to see her friends. They thought about going to the doctor to coax her out of her shell but they thought it would anger her and make things worse. They didn't know how to deal with it and mentioned that they were glad Lottie actually came round because they thought maybe one of her friends would talk to her. Lottie accepted straight away since her mum looked like she was going to burst into tears.
Lottie discusses this with the gang minus Kathy and no one really wanted to tell her or even mention the move on those terms and when Kathy came in, they were still deciding who should do it.
And now the reality was out in the open, everyone felt a big weight off their shoulders, but then a new one placed itself back in the same position as they weren't sure how Kathy was going to react. Often at times, Kathy could be erratic, it's their posh word they like to use as a replacement for hormonal. They accepted the times when she was her proper self and they all knew she would calm down eventually, but this time it was different as it involved something she hated with a passion.
"Kat"
Kathy snapped back into reality once more. Ugh, reality. Kathy had enough of that to last a lifetime.
"Hmm" she mumbled, barely audible to even Rodge's left ear.
"I said I was sorry" Si repeated.
"Oh, no, I heard you say that" Kathy spoke. She was still in shock but she could formulate words at least.
They were all silent, waiting on edge to hear her response. Hopefully it would be positive.
"I really have been going on about it haven't I" Kathy murmured, a sullen look plastered her face. She tried to give a smile to lighten the mood but it really wasn't worth it since the muscles in her face felt numb. Her whole body felt numb.
"I've been such an idiot" Kathy confessed, placing her head in her hands.
The others just looked at each in relief, most of them sighing in exasperation.
"Oh my God" Kathy groaned. She looked up again, viewing all of the familiar faces and biting her bottom lip. "Did you guys all think this?"
"We were all worried about you" Rodge replied, looking directly at Kathy. "You were being a tad idiotic at times, but that's just you so we kinda had to deal with it"
Kathy smiled at the attempt of an insult/compliment.
"Geez, and now I have to go back to my parents to top it all off" Kathy laughed. "I think I'm gunna go crazy"
"You passed that bridge ages ago Kat" Malcolm grinned, his rat teeth gleaming.
Everyone laughed and started to get ready to leave. The outing did end in a good mood after all. They all paid their share for their drinks and they all let Kathy open and ring the bell above the door for the last time.
They said their goodbyes, knowing it wasn't the final one and Kathy said goodbye to Cafe 101.