Nikki was unable to prevent Hollie being suspended and so the teenager found herself banned from school for the remaining two days of that week and the whole of the following week. When she was allowed to return, Scout had informed everyone that her seventeenth birthday was on Thursday and everyone was expecting a party. Maggie agreed to allow the teenagers to use the School House on Friday night on the proviso that there was no trouble and definitely no alcohol involved.

Completely forgetting that she'd already agreed to spend Saturday with the girls, Hollie arranged to meet her mother on the corner down the road from the School House early that same morning. She had already said goodbye to Maggie, who looked at her with bemusement, and headed out of the house before she remembered her conflicting plans. Pulling out her mobile, she sent the girls a text telling them she was sorry, but something had come up that she couldn't ignore and she'd make it up to them.

"Hey." Nikki called, rolling down the window as she drew up on the corner where they'd agreed to meet.

Hollie grinned and got in the car. For a moment she thought about leaning over and kissing her mother on the cheek, but decided against it. They weren't quite at that point in their relationship yet. Instead she pushed her bag into the foot well and settled herself in the seat.

"So, where are we going?" She asked curiously as her mother followed the signposts towards the A8.

"Edinburgh."

"Really?" Hollie exclaimed with a grin.

Nikki smiled at her. "You said you wanted to go to Edinburgh, so I decided to take you. And because I wasn't sure what to get you for your birthday – I guessed a car was a bit too much – you can choose anything you want."

"So like…"

As the seventeen-year-old's voice trailed off and she attempted to think of something ridiculous to ask her mother for, Nikki laughed. "Something within reason, love."

Hollie sighed dramatically. "Fine." She turned to face the woman beside her, a child-like grin on her face. "What are we going to do in Edinburgh?"

"Whatever you want! We can go shopping or to the zoo or… well… whatever you want to do. This is your birthday treat, so you get to decide."

By the end of the journey Hollie had decided that she wanted to spend their day just hanging around; sightseeing and getting to know each other better. Nikki had brought her camera and by the time they climbed back into the car to head back to Greenock, the memory card was full. They'd visited the Palace of Holyroodhouse, the Royal Mile and Edinburgh Castle, before spending a long time in Holyrood Park. Luckily the weather was good and their day wasn't spoilt by rain. Nikki had weakly suggested that they headed up to Arthur's Seat, but her daughter had just laughed and pointed out that she wasn't dressed for climbing mountains.

They were just driving through Glasgow when Hollie's mobile started ringing. Nikki raised an eyebrow at her ringtone as the teenager snatched it up hurriedly. "Hey, Maggie."

"I was just wondering whether you're intending to be back for dinner, because we're having it at seven as usual." The House Mistress asked.

Hollie glanced across at Nikki, covering the speaker and repeating the woman's question. When her mother shook her head, the teenager smiled. "No, I'm out for dinner. I should have let you know, sorry."

"Where are you, pet?"

"I'm with my Mum." Hollie told her, causing the woman beside her to look across quickly, raising an eyebrow. "She wanted to meet up because it was my birthday."

When Maggie answered, she seemed to be dying to bombard her with questions. "Oh… So… Have you had a nice time?"

"Brilliant, thanks. The best birthday ever and it's not even really my birthday."

"I'm so glad, love." Maggie told her sincerely. "You enjoy your evening, but make sure you're in by ten. Birthday or no birthday, you know the rules."

"I will be. See you later."

As she hung up, Nikki pondered which question to ask first. Finally she settled on, "Why is your ringtone Five Colours in her Hair by McFly?"

"Why not? McFly are everyone's guilty pleasure band, right?" The teenager replied defensively.

"Fair enough…" Her mother conceded with a shrug. "Why did you tell Maggie you were with me?"

Hollie grinned. "I didn't, technically. I said I was with my Mum; I never told her I was with Miss Boston. That means that I didn't lie to her, but I also didn't give away the secret."

Nikki laughed. "Very clever, Miss Evans." As the teenager's stomach rumbled loudly, she laughed again. "Pizza and a DVD at mine before I take you back to the School House? You need to be back by ten, right?"

"Right." Hollie agreed. "Can I choose the film?"

Sighing exaggeratedly, her mother nodded. "I suppose so… as long as it's not some slushy romantic thing that'll have me reaching for a sick bucket."

"No way… I'd rather spend the day with Mr Budgen." Hollie replied at once, pulling a face. "Give me a comedy every time."

"A girl after my own heart."

There were no complaints when Hollie flicked through her mother's DVD collection and decided that they should watch Hot Fuzz. When that finished, it was only half past eight, so the teenager flicked through the films again and decided that they should watch Bridesmaids. As that, too, came to an end both women knew that they needed to make a move if Hollie was going to get back in time to prevent herself being grounded. Neither, though, were eager to move.

"Mum… who are those girls in that photo with you and Auntie Jo?" Hollie asked, pointing at the photo on the mantelpiece. She was suddenly overtaken by a need to know who the two blondes were.

"Who?" Something about her mother's tone and expression set Hollie on edge. "Oh… They're just some friends of ours… Emma and Janey… they went to school with Jo and me."

The teenager shrugged. "Oh, cool. They just look… I dunno… familiar…"

"You ready to go, then?" Nikki asked, standing up quickly and picking up her keys from the coffee table.

"I guess."

Before they reached the door, the woman pulled her daughter into a tight hug. Hollie returned the gesture, clinging onto Nikki tightly. Pulling away after a couple of moments, Nikki handed the teenager a small box and smiled at her. Confused, Hollie opened the box to reveal a pair of silver hoop earrings; not dissimilar from the ones almost always in her ears, but obviously more expensive.

"Mum… they're gorgeous. Thank you."

"My pleasure." Nikki assured her, pressing a kiss to her forehead. "Now let's get you back before you get into trouble."