SPOW

Selena's distress made me think about my mum on the way home; how I'd frozen her out this morning, not said 'Love you too,' as I usually did, just because of a stupid telephone. What if she found a lump on her breast? Or what if she was already dead? Killed in a road accident taking Zora and Demi to school? There were some crappy junctions on the road into town, she was always saying so. I could see her flying through the window screen, her head smashed to a pulp like a ripe tomato. Tears pricked my eyes as I began to plan the funeral. I'd have to organize everything because Dad would be too distraught. Burial or cremation? Flowers or wreaths or both or neither? Which song? Her favourite was 'Perfect Day'. Not appropriate.

I was so lost in my morbid thoughts, I didn't notice Pooper plonking himself down next to me until it was too late. 'Now then, random,' he greeted me.

I sighed peevishly. Yes, Chad, I still have humour, just like I did this morning. Yes, it is natural. No, I do not want to be a Breakfast TV presenter. How to put this message across as simply as possible? 'Bog off,' I replied.

'Tch! That's no way to greet a neighbour,'

'I might live near you, it doesn't mean I have to talk to you,' I barked. Couldn't he see I had things on my mind?

'Why wouldn't you talk to me?' he asked. He sounded hurt.

I glanced at him. He was looking at me inquisitively, the blue eyes Tawni dreamed about open and expectant.

'Forget it,' I said.

'I can't believe you're on The Close.'

'Why shouldn't I be?' I said defensively.

'It's just weird, like the queen moving into Coronation Street.'

'Yeah, right. It's just like that. Shouldn't you be kneeling?'

'how come, though? Portlyn says your dad's been sent down but Nico says he's seen him – he reckons you're doing Lifeswaps.'

I laughed out loud. 'I wish ,' I said. Lifeswaps was one of those BBC documentaries where families from different backgrounds exchange lives fro a month – houses, incomes, social life – the lot. One wealthy woman from Yorkshire had fainted when she realized she'd only have one bathroom and would have to drive a T – reg Astra.

Pooper elbowed me again. Once more and I'd have him beheaded. 'Come on, then, tell me. You might as well, I'll only find out later from my mum.'

'Your mum?'

'Mrs Nosygit; she'll be wrecked when she discovers a new family moved in without her being there. I bet you ten quid she's been round to your already. She'll know your date of birth, how much you weighed when you were born, and what you had for breakfast this time last year.'

'God,' I said twisting round to look out the window.

'Go on,' he urged, 'tell me.'