Becky's Terrible Term by Holly Webb Page A

yesterday. Bel was round at Saima’s, trying on her gorgeous new outfits, and Katie was meeting up with Megan at the park to play football. Even before last night’s row she hadn’t felt much like joining in. Saima seemed to be so much Bel’s particular friend now, as Megan was Katie’s. It wasn’t that she didn’t get on with Saima and Megan, but she didn’t like feeling that she was just tagging along with her sisters. It was so different from before – going to a new school seemed to have changed them into different people, people who didn’t much like her any more.
    Just then Pixie wandered into the bedroom, looking for some attention – preferably from a sensible person who would stroke her nicely while she fell asleep curled up on their bed. She turned a charm offensive on Becky to get her own way, leaping gracefully on to the bed and bounding up to her, then headbutting her lovingly on the chin, and winding her slinky body round the book. By the time Pixie’s purrs had settled into sleepy breathing, Becky was feeling more determined – she had to do something. Nice though it would be to hide under the duvet all day, she couldn’t stop herself thinking .She crept out of bed, only half-waking Pixie (who snorted in disgust and went back to sleep), and got dressed in jeans and a cosy blue fleecy top. Then she went to find Mum.
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    Mrs Ryan was struggling with a particularly complex passage when Becky appeared at her side. “Mmm?” she murmured.
    â€œIs it OK if I go down to the park?”
    â€œThe park? Oh, yes, Katie’s there, isn’t she? Yes, sweetie, but be back for lunch, please.”
    Becky nodded, and headed out. She was only feeling mildly guilty – she was going to the park, it was just that she had no intention whatsoever of finding Katie, as Mum had assumed.
    Ashfield Park was just at the end of the triplets’ road, so their mum didn’t mind them going there together. She wouldn’t have been all that happy about Becky being there on her own, but Becky wasn’t in a mood to care. She mooched down the road kicking at leaves, and peered thoughtfully through the park railings as she neared the gate. Yes, there were Katie and Megan. Becky paused as Katie took a shot at the “goal” that Megan was guarding, and grinned, impressed, as Megan pulled off a very cool save. Then she remembered that officially Megan wasn’t her friend, and made briskly for the lake at the other side of the park.
    It was a nice place to sit and watch the ducks. Becky wished she’d remembered to bring some bread. She sat down on a grassy bank that overlooked the water, and sighed. She needed to work out what she was going to do. If Katie and Annabel were finding new friends then she was either going to have to keep being on her own, which felt miserable, or get up the courage to make some friends by herself. She just didn’t know quite how you did that. . .
    At that moment she was practically knocked over by a big golden hurricane on legs. The gorgeous Golden Retriever woofed joyfully, and gave Becky’s ear a thorough lick.
    â€œUrrgh! You silly dog!” she told him affectionately, struggling to her feet. He was way too big to be sitting down next to – he’d nearly squashed her. “Who do you belong to, hey? Aren’t you beautiful?” She petted him and he preened happily, rubbing his head against her legs. He knew quite well that he was beautiful, but he didn’t mind being told.
    Becky noticed that he had a lead on – just no one at the other end of it. She looked round. No one seemed to be missing this lovely boy. Still scanning the park, she picked up his lead, hoping that he wasn’t really lost. The dog woofed again and set off, towing Becky behind him. She could see how he’d managed to get away from his owner – he was really strong. He was making for a girl about