Mum drew the line the next morning, saying that she had to go to work and Sid and Ellie had to go to school.

'But it's raining,' Ellie moaned looking out the window to see the dreary, drizzly world outside.

'Do we have to go to school?' Sid said, his mouth full of cereal

'Sid, stop talking with your mouthful.' Mum snapped, sounding more like the mum I was used to.

'Look, I'll take you today – you too Toots.' Dad grinned and Ellie and Sid beamed.

'No thank you, I think I'd rather walk.' I said, grabbing my bag, an umbrella and a cereal bar for my breakfast. I didn't want to be in the car with him, I didn't want him to think I needed him.

Outside was wet, miserable and my hair went all frizzy. The umbrella blew inside out half way to school and was near enough useless. By the time I got to school, I was soaked and Sid was already there. He walked up to me.

'You're being stupid Toots, you should have come in the car, it was great fun, we had the music on really loud and Dad was singing in this funny voice and we were singing too. He's picking Mum up so I have to walk home, but then we're going out for pizza.'

'Sounds great,' I muttered but I couldn't keep the sarcasm up of my voice

'He's really nice you know, why don't you give him a chance. If you think he's horrible and nasty, you should look in the mirror.'

Sid stormed off to join Danny, to tell him stories of how great Dad is and this holiday they're planning together – an adventure holiday with kayaking, climbing and go carting. It sounded like one of those show where you win a holiday, not something we would go on.

Teacher came in with our homework about the illnesses/ disorders. He dropped mine on the desk. I looked down and saw a tick and then a comment 'Well done, but next time put it in your own words.' I sighed, because I had put it in my own words, the websites version was long and complicated and some of it didn't make sense. Obviously I wasn't allowed to get things right or sound clever.

I looked over at Spotty's scrunched up piece of paper and a line of messy writing. Teacher had put a tick and a well done but no 'should be neater' or 'try a bit harder'. Sometimes I wonder if there's any point in trying at Bash Street.

The day went slowly and wet play brought paper airplanes, food fights and the destruction of a chessboard. When I finally escaped, I walked the long way because I didn't even want to have to argue about why I didn't want to go out for Pizza.

'Toots,' I turned round to see Sid following me

'What?' I asked, slowing down so he could catch up

'Why are you being like this?'

'Like what?'

'All grumpy and miserable.'

'Because of him, you know that.'

'But why? He's trying so hard, he bought you stuff, he offered to take you to school, he's taken us – and offered you to go out places, play games, go out for meals and all you can do is be like this.'

'You don't understand.'

'No I don't. Ellie's going to her friends tonight, the friend who Mum said she couldn't go round their house. Dad convinced her to change her mind so Ellie can have fun.'

'But that's going against what Mum wants and Mum's in charge, she's the one who goes to work, buys the food and does the washing. It's her who looks after us.'

'But not any more. Dad's going to get a job and earn money and then I can go to all those clubs I used to go to. In fact, he's paying for me to go to a football match on Saturday – it was really expensive as well. Danny's coming too.'

'But where's the money coming from?'

'Well… he's borrowing it from Mum but…'

'Borrowing, as in taking then giving back.'

'Yes, of course he's going to pay her back.'

'Sure.'

'Toots, what is your problem?'

I sighed as we turned the corner into the road where the pub is.

'Well?' Sid frowned.

'That.' I said pointing

Sid's mouth dropped and he looked momentarily stunned, a look of horror, shock and upset on his face. The same reaction to Mum's 'Surprise'. Then he turned and ran in the opposite direction, dashing across the road with out looking; straight into the path of a silver car…