Secrets by Nick Sharratt Page B

round and round on skateboards, thundering up a home-made chute, flying through the air and then crashing down on the asphalt. I jumped each time they thumped, scuttling between them as they circled me.
    There was a girl cycling round and round too, doing fantastic wheelie tricks on a BMX. She looked every bit as tough as the boys, her hair tousled, a big red scar on her forehead, her face pale and pinched. She was so skinny in her tight jeans and tiny matted fleece. I stared at her enviously.
    She saw me staring. She stuck her tongue out at me.
    I waggled mine back at her.
    Then she grinned. I grinned. It was just as if we knew each other.

Seven
    Treasure
    MUM RANG. OUT of the blue.
    â€˜Hi, Treasure,’ she said casually, as if I’d just popped round to Nan’s for tea.
    â€˜Mum!’ My mouth was so dry I could hardly speak.
    â€˜What’s up with your voice, Treasure? You got a cold? Typical! I bet you haven’t been wearing your fleece.’
    Mum’s voice sounded so
normal
. It made it easier.
    â€˜I’m fine, Mum. Honest. And Nan’s getting me a new coat out of her catalogue. A red one. It’s lovely.’
    â€˜You can’t wear red, you’re far too pale. It sucks all the colour out of your cheeks. Tell your nan not to waste her money. There’s plenty of wear in that fleece of yours.’
    I felt the colour rushing
to
my cheeks. I’d felt so thrilled about the red coat. Nan said it would look lovely on me. Willie teased me a bit and sang
Lady in Red
and Loretta said she liked the style and Patsy clapped her hands and said I’d look
beautiful
.
    â€˜It’s already ordered, Mum,’ I said. ‘Anyway, are you . . . OK?’
    â€˜Of course I am. Well, Gary is driving me nuts, he hardly slept a wink last night, but I think the little whatsit’s teething so maybe he’s got some excuse. And Kyle’s getting dead cheeky and Bethany’s forever complaining, the stroppy little cow, but that’s nothing new. She says she’s missing you, babe. Sweet, eh, when you two were always driving me daft with your fights. Still, we’re all missing you, Treasure.’
    My throat closed up.
    â€˜I miss you too, Mum,’ I croaked.
    â€˜So when are you coming back? Shall we come and fetch you on Saturday?’
    Nan’s bright room suddenly broke up into tiny pieces in front of my eyes. Kaleidescope patterns whirled round even when I shut my eyes.
    â€˜I’m not coming back, Mum,’ I whispered.
    â€˜You what? Do speak up, babe, I’ve got Gary yelling in his kiddie-chair, can’t you hear him? I think he’s missing you too. You’re like a little mother to him. You’re always very good with the kids.’
    â€˜Mum, listen. I live with Nan now. You know I do. It was all fixed after Terry . . . you know.’
    â€˜What, after that little set-to? Look, that got blown up out of all proportion. You know it was a complete accident. Terry didn’t mean to hit you. It was just a little nick anyway, nothing to get worked up about.’
    I fingered the long raised scar underneath my fringe.
    â€˜And you were a very naughty girl, writing all that rude childish stuff about him. No wonder he got angry. But he’s willing to let bygones be bygones. He’s been a changed guy since, anyway. He’s hardly touched a drop of whisky. He’s sticking to his beer and that never makes him mean. He’s been really sweet to me and the kids. It’s a fresh start, Treasure. You’ve no worries on that score.’
    â€˜Mum, I want to stay
here
. With Nan.’
    Mum’s tone changed. ‘Well, you can’t!
I’m
your mum, and
I
look after you. I need you back here, sharpish. I let you stay with your nan over the holidays for a little break, but it’s not like it’s
permanent
. School’s started now, you have to come back. They’ve been on at me,