Stay Well Soon by Penny Tangey Page A

me says, ‘I thought you might be here.’
    I look up and see Lara.
    I don’t say anything because I’m not sure if she’s still angry at me.
    â€˜Do you like the Bananas?’ she asks.
    â€˜No. It’s dumb.’ I don’t want her to think I watch little kids’ shows.
    â€˜It’s a bit weird, isn’t it?’ she says. ‘Two massive grown-up bananas wearing pyjamas all day.’
    She’s right, it is weird.
    â€˜What’s that you’re holding?’ Lara asks. She’s pointing at my certificate, which is rolled up with a rubber band around it. I’m carrying it so it won’t get squashed in my bag.
    â€˜It’s my Certificate of Recognition,’ I say. ‘I got it for leadership and stuff.’
    I hope Lara doesn’t think I’m bragging.
    â€˜Congratulations!’ she says.
    â€˜Thanks.’
    â€˜Hey, Stevie, I’m sorry about the other day,’ Lara says. ‘I was mad because Mum’s stopped me going out for a smoke. Everyone’s always telling me what to do, you know?’
    I do know.
    â€˜But what can you do?’ she says. ‘Anyway, I shouldn’t take it out on you. It’s not your fault.’
    We watch the Bananas. They are being stupid, as always.
    â€˜What was it like having your own horse?’ I ask.
    â€˜It was great. My dad had lots of horses. But Finnigan was the first horse who was just mine, so that made him special.’
    â€˜What colour was he?’
    â€˜Black.’
    â€˜Did you ride him every day?’
    â€˜Most days.’
    â€˜That is amazing. That would be a dream come true for me.’
    â€˜Actually, I’ve been thinking about your situation.’
    â€˜What about it?’
    â€˜Well, does your brother like horses?’
    â€˜Kind of.’ Rhys would come and visit Star with me when we used to go on bike rides together. Rhys gave Star a carrot and that went well.
    â€˜If he’s really sick, he might get to make a wish. He could wish for a horse. There are organisations that give sick kids whatever they want.’
    â€˜I don’t know if he is really sick. I mean, I think he is because Mum cries sometimes.’
    â€˜You can’t tell from crying. Some parents cry when their kid breaks an arm. But he must be pretty sick if he’s been in hospital for this long. They need the beds.’
    That’s what I thought too.
    â€˜Would they give him a horse?’
    â€˜Maybe not, but he could go horse riding and you could go with him.’
    â€˜How do you know about this?’
    â€˜I got a wish.’
    â€˜What did you get?’
    â€˜I met Nelson Mandela.’
    â€˜Who?’
    â€˜Nelson Mandela. He was in jail for twenty-seven years for fighting to end apartheid in South Africa.’
    It sounds like a boring wish, if you could have anything in the world, but I don’t want to be rude. ‘That sounds good,’ I say.
    â€˜It was cool – though it was a bit superficial. I thought I might get to ask him about his time in jail and his opinion on continuing inequality in South Africa but it was all photos and small talk.’
    In the car on the way home I say to Mum, ‘Could Rhys make a wish?’
    â€˜What are you on about?’
    â€˜You know, make a wish from the wish people for sick kids.’
    Mum doesn’t say anything. She just touches her hair a few times and then she starts crying.
    She cries all the way home. At home she goes to her room and keeps crying.
    I am starving. I don’t think Mum is going to make tea. I’m not very good at cooking but I know how to make fish on rice.
    I get the fish out of the freezer and put it on a tray to go in the oven. I put a pot of water on the stove for the rice.
    When it’s ready I knock on Mum’s door. ‘Tea’s ready,’ I say.
    Mum comes out into the kitchen. She has stopped crying.
    â€˜You’re a good girl,