‘Really? I loveLord of the Flies, maybe I can help. What’s the essay question?’
‘You’ve readLord of the Flies? Isn’t it a bit young for you?’
She perched on the edge of the desk. ‘This was published in the 1950s, Flick. I read it as a teenager.’
‘Oh, right. Well, the essay question is really boring and complicated, you probably don’t want to bother with it,’ I mumbled quickly, glancing at the time. I didn’t have long before Skylar would be ready to pick me up.
‘Try me.’ Mum shrugged.
‘What are the important symbols inLord of the Flies?’ I read out. ‘See? Really tricky.’
‘That’s a great question. Let’s see, you have –’
‘OK, thanks, Mum, I know you’re super busy and I wouldn’t want to keep you.’
She looked slightly taken aback at the interruption but then rolled her eyes and stood up from the desk.
‘All right, all right, I can take a hint. I’ve got to get to the other side of London for a book launch anyway. I won’t be back late.’
She planted a kiss on my head and ruffled my hair. I smoothed it back into place as she went to my bedroom door.
‘Flick,’ she said, turning back, ‘I know about tonight.’
‘What?’ I squeaked.
HOW COULD SHE KNOW? There was no way Skylar would have told her!Do all mums have some sort of secret antennae that can sense when you’re about to break their stupid rules?I thought to myself. How was I going to get out of this one? Distract her with something worse! THINK, BRAIN, THINK!
‘BLASTER!’
‘What?’
NOT YOUR BEST WORK, BRAIN!
‘The weapons the bad guys have inStar Wars. Blasters. They’re awful. Don’t you think?’
‘Um. OK?’ She looked more confused than ever.
ABORT MISSION!
‘I was talking about Ella’s party?’ she said, looking at me strangely. ‘It’s tonight, right?’
‘Oh. That.’
PHEW!
‘I am sorry, you know. That you’re missing out.’
‘It’s fine, don’t worry about it.’
‘Really, I mean it,’ she said seriously. ‘I appreciate that all your friends will be going but I hope you understand why I can’t let you go.’
‘Yeah, totally. I understand. Have fun tonight.’ I nodded, wishing she would just leave.
‘You’re being really grown up about this, Flick. I’m proud of you.’ Mum smiled before closing the door.
Wow. Could she have taken any longer to LEAVE? Old people really like to loiter.
As soon as I heard thedingof the lift doors opening in the corridor, I rushed over to my wardrobe, clumsily changing out of my pyjamas and pulling on one of my favourite mini dresses and a jacket to match. I put on some eyeliner and mascara as carefully as I could in a hurry, and then hunted down my black boots.
