‘Have you sent the message yet, Felix?’ Jade peers over Felix’s shoulder.
He stares at the iPad screen. ‘Aunty Emily is going to shout at me.’
With a giggle Jade dances with Baxter. ‘Send it now. That is an order.’
Felix taps out the message. His finger hovers over the send symbol. ‘Shall I send it?’
‘If you don’t press send I will.’
He shuts his eyes. ‘My friend says nine-and-a-half-year-olds can change the world.’
‘Grown-ups should be scared of us,’ Jade declares. ‘I tell my mum this all the time.’
‘I’m scared of pressing send.’
Jade picks up the phone behind her and speaks to the screen. ‘Hi, Felix’s mum, will you tell your son to send the message. He’s being a total chicken and if he doesn’t send it, I will be taking Baxter home with me.’ She blows a raspberry at the screen and makes a peace sign. Pointing the screen at Felix, she shouts ‘DO IT NOW!’
‘JADE… it’s sent!’
Both Felix and Jade erupt into cheers and shouts. Baxter barks too.
Jade tugs Felix on the arm. ‘Tell me the next part of your plan.’
Grinning he takes his phone back from Jade. ‘I can’t because Mummy won’t be happy with me.’
Jade holds Baxter close to her chest. ‘Honestly – can I have your dog?’
‘No, you can’t have Baxter,’ Felix says. ‘Come on, let’s go back to our seats. Got to go, Mummy. Bye.’
CHAPTER12
EMILY
‘I’m Gloria,’ says the woman with an infectious smile once Felix, Baxter and Jade have returned to their seats.
Before I can open my mouth and reply, Felix points to me. ‘Her name is Emily. My mum died back in May, so Aunty Emily, Mum’s sister, is looking after me and Baxter.’ I wish Felix didn’t like oversharing so much.
Jade gasps and stares at Felix. ‘Eh? Your mum died? But you just…’
He glares at Jade and she goes quiet.
Gloria places a warm hand on my arm. ‘I am in the presence of an angel.’
I let out a heavy sigh. If only this woman knew about all the arguments I have with Felix. If only she knew how bad I feel about getting carried away with making dresses because it soothes my pain over losing Vivi. I alternate between shouting and getting obsessed about my ex-boyfriend on Facebook. ‘I’m definitely not an angel.’
Her hazel eyes lock onto mine. ‘You’re raising your sister’s child. In my book that’s angel territory.’
Jade and Felix start talking in whispers. Jade has her back to me so I can’t see Felix. I’m straining to hear what they’re saying but the carriage is too noisy.
Gloria chuckles at the sight of them. ‘Let them talk, Emily. I sense this could be the start of a great friendship.’
‘That is what worries me.’
She shrugs. ‘Jade is nearly ten. I’m more concerned about the teenage years which seem to be approaching fast.’
The realisation that I will have to endure the teenage years with Felix hits me like a slap in the face. If he’s anything like his mother Felix will be a nightmare. Hang on – he’s a nightmare already!
Gloria casts me a warm smile. ‘Cheer up. Rumour has it, boys are easier than girls in the teenage years.’
