SPOW
At lunchtime, still high from being able to participate in the trip like everyone else, I invited the gang over for 'chats' on Saturday. They hadn't been to THE Close yet, and if I was honest, I was a bit embarrassed about them seeing the place but I suppose they'd have to visit at some stage, so I risked it.
'Don't expect anything like the old house, though,' I began defensively, 'it's miles smaller and I have to share with Zora, so we might not get much privacy.'
'We don't care, Sonny, it's you we want to see,' Selena said. 'Anyway, it'll give me an excuse for getting out of the house. Mum's doing my head in with her: I- don't-want-to-discuss-things, routine. I mean it's not as if she can pretend it's not happening, like when dad was having his affair, is it?'
'Er . . . no,' I answered.
'Still no news from the hospital?' Grady asked.
Selena shook her head and looked away, her eyes filling with instant tears. Wrong time, wrong place to talk. I wished I still lived near her, so I could drop in like I used to, or at least had a phone so I could call he up. Being poor sucked.
Tawni linked her arm through Selena's and changed the subject. 'I've heard the youth centre on Newstead Road's really good on Saturdays. I think we ought to go, to help Sonny settle in and meet new people. You know how anti-social she is if she's left to her own devices.'
'And there's always a chance Chad might be there,' Selena added, managing a faint smile.
Tawni looked round, pretending to be offended. 'Did I mention him? Did I?'