Free Boy Trouble by Sarah Webb

personal. Besides, I don’t think it’d be all that helpful.
    It’s much better to have parents who are happy, even if it means that they have to live apart. I know it’s hard, but it’s important to remember that they both still love you and that none of it is your fault.
    Try to get on with your stepbrothers. I know it won’t be easy, but I’m sure they’ll find sharing their dad and their house with you and your mum hard too. You never know, down the line you might even be friends. At the very least they might have cute mates! And don’t worry about things too much, just be yourself and keep the bathroom door locked. Ask them to knock before they come into your bedroom, and say you’ll do the same. If you all respect each other’s privacy it should be OK.
    If you’re feeling really bad about all of this, try talking to someone, an aunt maybe or a teacher, someone who will listen. It makes everything seem a little brighter.
    And finally remember that even though things are difficult for you at the moment, it will all get easier. Hang in there and remember you have friends and family who love you. I hope this helps.
    All the best,
    Clover XXX
    When we pull up outside my house I pass the notebook to Clover.
    “Do you think it’s all right?” I ask her nervously.
    She reads it through and then says, “Hey, Beanie, when did you get so grown up? Can I print it in the magazine?”
    “You really want to print it?”
    “Sure, it’s perfect. And I think I’ll write an article about dealing with new step-parents. What about ‘Step-Up’ for a title? You’re great at titles, got anything better?”
    I stare out the windscreen, lost in thought. A dog is peeing against a car’s tyre while his owner looks away and whistles.
    Clover says, “I’m so sorry, Beanie. That was insensitive of me. I shouldn’t be using your life to fill mag pages. I’m a bad person. But it’s what journalists do, Beans. They mine their own lives for stories. I won’t do the article, OK?”
    “It’s not that. I don’t mind about the article.” I pause for a second. “Clover. Be honest, do you think I’m overreacting?”
    “To what?”
    I shrug. “Dad and
her
. Getting married. The baby.”
    She gives a breathy snort. “Hello? No way! It’s all pretty serious stuff. They defo should have told you about getting married. You’re part of their family.”
    “Not their new family.”
    Clover puts her arm round my shoulders. “Beans, things move on. Just because your dad is having a sproglet doesn’t mean he doesn’t love you. Maybe it’ll make things easier between you and Shelly. She won’t have a clue. She can’t even light a fire or lift the bins out without your dad’s help. She’s hopeless. A baby’s going to completely floor her.”
    I smile. Clover’s right. Shelly is pretty hopeless when it comes to practical things. “She’ll get baby poo under her expensive false nails,” I say. “She won’t like that at all.”
    “And it’ll puke all over her cashmere jumpers. She’ll be in and out of the dry-cleaner’s like a yo-yo. She’ll so need your help, Beanie. They both will.”
    “I suppose,” I say grudgingly.
    She gives me a squeeze. “You know what would really get up Shelly’s perky little nose?”
    “What?”
    “Embrace this whole baby thing. Tell your dad how excited you are. That way she’ll have nothing to complain about. She’s probably sitting at home right now telling him how spoilt you are and how you’re just jealous. Be the bigger person, Beanie.”
    I think about this for a second. “Pretend to be pleased for them? Even though I’m not.”
    “You got it.”
    A car pulls up just behind us. A very familiar car. My palms start to feel a little sweaty. He must be here to talk to Mum, to tell her his news before I do.
    “Clover, will you come in with me? That’s Dad’s car. Don’t leave me on my own.”
    She turns round and stares into his convertible Mercedes, squinting her eyes a