Free Pick 'n' Mix by Jean Ure Page B

supposed to sit in the cloakroom, we are supposed to be outside even when it is ice cold and freezing, but just now and again we manage to sneak in undetected. There is hideous trouble, of course, if we are found, and if Skye had been with us we wouldn’t have been doing it since Skye is one of those law-abiding people that think rules are there to be obeyed. Me and Jem are more, like, some rules are there to be obeyed; others are just stupid and pointless. Such as being made to go outside and freeze half to death. I couldn’t help a slightly guilty feeling that it was a great deal more comfortable without Skye there to lecture us and nag.
    â€œLook,” I said, peering through one of the mesh-covered windows, “people are turning blue. Their lips are blue. And oh, look, there’s Daisy! I do believe her knee caps are bouncing up and down.”
    Jem said, “Yeah.” She seemed preoccupied. I watched for a while as she frowningly sorted a tube of Smarties into different colours.
    â€œGreen one,” I said. I pointed. “Over there.”
    â€œOh. Yeah.” Absently, Jem picked up the green one and popped it into her mouth, thus breaking her own rule about not starting to eat until all the colours had been arranged in rows.
    I turned back to the window. “People could die out there. Get frostbite and die. You know what happens if you get frostbite? You rot . All your fingers and toes drop off. And then it starts to creep up your legs. And it smells. Once that happens, you’re doomed.”
    Jem said, “Yeah?” Then suddenly, cramming her mouth with a great fistful of Smarties, she gabbled, “Saddy meenskygobyernanprez.”
    Well, that was what it sounded like.
    â€œYou what?” I said.
    Jem swallowed. “On Saturday me and Skye are going to go and buy her nan’s birthday present.”
    I said, “You and Skye?”
    â€œShe wants to get that little flower thingie we saw? The thing with primroses? Cos that’s what her nan’s name is… Primrose.”
    â€œYes,” I said, “I know.” Skye had told us when we were in Turton’s, looking at the china and glass, before Melia had gone and breathed too heavily and upset things.
    â€œYeah. Well! I just thought I’d tell you,” said Jem.
    I took a deep breath. “You and Skye are going?”
    â€œYup.” Jem nodded.
    â€œOn your own?”
    She looked uncomfortable at that.
    â€œWithout me?”
    Jem picked up a Smartie and lobbed it at her mouth, and missed.
    I said again, “Without me ?”
    â€œIt’s just… we didn’t want you bringing Melia!”
    â€œYou mean, Skye didn’t want me bringing Melia.”
    â€œNot just Skye.” Jem mumbled it, apologetically. “Me, as well.”
    â€œBut you’re her friend!” She was always going on about my friend Jemma. “She thinks you like her!”
    â€œI do like her,” said Jem. “I do. Honestly! She’s really sweet and I hate it when people like Daisy make fun of her, but you’ve got to admit she does ruin things!”
    I couldn’t deny it. It really was quite impossible to relax and enjoy yourself when you had Melia with you. You had to be on your guard every single second, and even then she could take you by surprise and go plunging off into disaster.
    â€œSo I won’t bring her,” I said.
    Jem looked at me, doubtfully. “Won’t your mum make you?”
    â€œShe won’t make me.” She’d just be disappointed, that was all. I was a bit disappointed myself, to tell the truth. As a rule I really enjoy doing things for people, even if they don’t always turn out quite right. I’d thought it would be fun, looking after Melia!
    I was beginning to wonder if I would have to settle for a career change. Something not to do with people. An electrician, maybe, like Dad. Or a TV celebrity chef. Or a plumber. Except I