Free Phosphorescence by Raffaella Barker Page A

so exciting to be going home, my first visit back there, and I wasn’t expecting it yet because Dad’s been away. But just before I go to sleep I have a fearful thought. Are they letting me go home because Jack is very ill? No one will tell me if that’s the case. All I know is that he slipped over and bumped his head on the stone quay. I asked Mum if he was unconscious, but she said, ‘He’s going to be fine, don’t worry, you’ll see for yourself on Friday.’ I don’t know if I should believe her. I’m always the last to know. Look at the whole Mum and Dad thing.

Chapter 6
    Dad’s car radio will only work on Radio Two, so driving into Staitheley I turn off the lame country music he insists on singing along to, and open the window, craning out, this big smile slapped on my face by the warm wind and the electric excitement I feel being back. My school ended before lunchtime because all the dinner ladies in North London have gone on strike, so it’s teatime and I’m home with the whole weekend ahead and Nell coming over tomorrow. My phone beeps with a message. It’s from Josh.
    â€˜
Sadie says come 4 a cupcake + tea, she saw U in car just now so no escape 4 u.
’
    â€˜Dad, stop.’ I am secretly relieved to put off going home. I can’t quite imagine our house without Mum’s presence, and I know the Christies will be just the same as usual. I also know Dad won’t like it very much. ‘Look, I’ve got to go to the Christies’ for tea with Sadie. She’s really excited that I’m back. Come and pick me up at five to go to Jack and Granny’s.’
    Dad opens his mouth to make a suggestion, but I’ve got my hand on the door handle and when he stops for the corner by the village shop I jump out, waving.
    â€˜Bye. Don’t forget to bring Cactus, I’ve
got
to see him.’
    â€˜You’ve
got
to see everyone, and I’m waiting my turn,’ Dad shouts back, and there is pain as well as teasing in his voice. But I can’t be held responsible for grown-ups’ feelings. I need to see everyone back in Staitheley, and small children are the most impatient. I walk through the Christies’ boatyard and open the red-painted back door.
    â€˜Hell-oo, it’s me, Lola,’ I call, and I don’t realize that I’ve breathed in until my senses brim with the smell of toast almost ready and tea just brewed, and the Christies’ family life, with all its noise and chaos, engulfs me.
    â€˜Look, Lola, I’ve iced one for you and one for me. They’re purple princess cakes so we’re allowed to eat them first.’
    Sadie charges towards me, waving two very sticky cakes, and wraps her arms around my legs. I reckon it’s best to keep still, and anyway, it’s a treat to hug her back. She’s so small and solid but she’s grown and got more of her long blonde hair falling in front of wide blue eyes since I last saw her.
    â€˜Hello there, Lola, my dear.’
    Caroline crouches to remove the buns from Sadie’s hands. She has funny pink slippers on over socks, tight green leggings and a baggy T-shirt. I am shocked to find myself thinking I’m glad my mum doesn’t wear clothes like that. Caroline leans to kiss me, and I hug her back awkwardly. Josh’s dad, Ian, appears in the doorway, also smiling, and by the time I am in the kitchen I feel exhausted by being smiledat, and under pressure of some sort because they are all so pleased to see me.
    Josh, perched on the edge of a chair in front of a pile of washing, is strumming on a guitar, and is the only one who doesn’t stop what he’s doing to greet me.
    Everything that I expected to be the same is a little bit different. Even Josh; he looks smaller, and younger, which is weird, but maybe it’s because I’ve got used to hanging around with people like Aiden Black and he’s mega compared to Josh.
    Sadie