Lovestruck by Julia Llewellyn

not hearing any more from you today, Barron,’ Sandra hissed. She never spoke to Christy that way. To everyone’s horror Barron began to cry too – a
twelve-year-old boy! Large, drippy, snotty-nosed sobs.
    ‘Go to your room!’ Sandra ordered. None of the children moved.
    ‘Sandy,’ Nick tried.
    ‘I have had enough,’ she said coldly to her husband. ‘We should have sent him to a holiday camp. Go to your room.’
    Barron left, shutting the door quietly behind him. After a moment, the party resumed. Everyone got a going-home present of a little packet of felt tips, some sweets and a tiny bouncy rubber ball. Sandra gave Rosie a special slice of the birthday cake that included the princess’s crown. Rosie was overwhelmed. On the way home, next to Nanna on the bus, she’d vowed that one day she’d live in a house like Christy’s and give all her guests little packets of treats when they left.
    ‘You never told me about Barron,’ she said to Christy on Monday.
    ‘What do you want me to tell you? He was born with a funny ear and he didn’t hear well until he had grommets put in. Mummy says he’s difficult and so he had to go to boarding school.’
    ‘Oh.’
    ‘Shall I draw you a picture? I can’t wait for your party.’ Christy reached into her school bag.
    ‘What are you looking for,
Christine
?’ sneered Belinda, who’d just walked into the classroom. ‘A tissue to wipe your brother’s tears?’
    ‘He’s a cry baby,’ said Julie Anderson, snatching the bag from Christy.
    ‘Give it back, please,’ Christy said calmly.
    ‘Give it back, please,’ Belinda mimicked.
    ‘Don’t cry,’ Rosie said quietly. ‘Take it back.’
    Christy made a grab for it. Belinda and Julie started throwing the bag at each other over her head. ‘Piggy in the middle. Your party was rubbish.’
    Rosie dived in and snatched the bag. She handed it back to Christy, who sat at her desk stony-faced. ‘Here you go. Leave her alone, you bullies.’
    ‘Ooh, bullies,’ mocked Belinda, as Miss Bryne entered the classroom. The teasing abruptly stopped, only to recommence at break time. From that day on, Christy ignored Belinda and she and Rosie were best friends.
    ‘You’re not with us, love,’ Nanna said now, snapping her fingers under Rosie’s nose. ‘I was asking. So what are you going to do, living in this mansion as a lady of leisure?’
    ‘I’ll be busy with the boys, Nanna. They’re only at nursery three hours a day.’
    ‘Still three hours you have to fill. And then Toby’ll be at school in September and George the next year. What will you do then?’
    ‘That’s a while off. I don’t know, Nanna. Something will come up. I might start my own business.’
    ‘Well, make sure it’s not baking your own cupcakes, like those yummy mummies in the magazines.’
    ‘It won’t be cupcakes,’ said Rosie.
    Nanna stared at her fondly. ‘I can’t imagine you not working, love. You’ve always been such a grafter. Talking of which, any news from your mum?’
    ‘She hasn’t been in touch with you?’ Rosie chewed a cuticle. It infuriated her the way her mother didn’t keep tabs on Nanna.
    ‘She called me a few weeks ago. Couldn’t stop talking about you. Well, about Jake … She’s very proud.’
    Nice if she were proud of me, rather than who I married
, Rosie thought. Time to change the subject. ‘You’re coming to the play, aren’t you, Nanna?’
    ‘Wild horses wouldn’t keep me away,’ Nanna said. ‘I’ve written the first night in my calendar, and I’ve already booked a hairdo. I need to stun Ellie Lewis. What are you going to wear, lover?’
    ‘I’m thinking of my dress from New Look.’
    Nanna wrinkled her nose. ‘You can do better than that. Don’t worry, I’ll scout out something for you next time Maureen gives me a lift over to Cribbs.’ She clapped her hands. ‘Boys, are you ready? Sausages and chips time!’

5
    It was around six in the morning and she and Jake were lying in bed. George