Know My Place by Eve Ainsworth

Author:Eve Ainsworth
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781800900691
Publisher: Barrington Stoke Ltd

SEVEN

BEFORE

Mary and I were cooking together, making a pie for dinner. Mary was frying the chicken and vegetables, and I was rolling out the pastry. I did it carefully, making sure the pastry was smooth and even. As I worked, I thought of my nan. How she would use a milk bottle for a rolling pin and giggle that the cold glass hurt her hands if she did it for too long. If I really focused, I could hear Nan beside me. The throaty rasp of her laughter, the gentle sound of her humming.

“You look lost in thought.” Mary’s voice broke my thoughts.

I looked up. Mary was facing me, wiping her hands on her apron.

“Are you OK, Amy?” she asked. “How’s school?”

I bowed my head a little. “It’s OK – I suppose …”

Mary cleared her throat and said, “I heard from your form tutor today. He said you didn’t show up for afternoon registration.”

I didn’t reply.

“Where were you, Amy?” Mary asked.

“I …” I hesitated. I looked up at Mary’s wide eyes. I wanted to tell her how Stephanie and her friends had shoved me in the corridor at lunch. How they had jeered and called me names. I wanted to tell her how I had burst into tears in front of them.

What else could I do but run away from there? I just wanted to be on my own.

“Amy?” Mary’s voice was soft. “You know I’m going to have to tell the social worker about this.”

Mary’s expression was gentle, but I could see the dark circles under her eyes. I’d heard her arguing with Stephanie the night before. They seemed to argue a lot more these days too.

“I had a headache,” I said finally. “I’m sorry. I just wanted to get away.”

“You should have gone to the medical room,” Mary said. “Or phoned me.”

“I know. I didn’t think. I’m sorry …”

Mary nodded. “Well, as long as you’re sure that’s all it is—”

“It is,” I said.

“Because I know you are still struggling to get along with Stephanie.” Mary sighed softly. “I’ve tried talking to Stephanie about this too. She tells me you’re rude to her – and rude to her friends.”

“I’m not,” I replied sharply. “I just don’t think Stephanie likes me much.”

“Why? What has she said?” Mary asked.

I lowered my head. I didn’t know what to say. Fear kept the words trapped in my throat. If I told Mary the truth, I wasn’t sure she would believe me. And even if she did, how would Stephanie react? It would make things a million times worse.

“Is there anything you want to tell me, Amy?” Mary persisted.

“I’m fine, Mary,” I whispered. “I just don’t think me and Stephanie have much in common.”

Mary studied me for a moment or two and then sighed. “I’ll talk to Stephanie again. I’ll ask her to try harder.” She paused. “I can’t have your school work start to suffer, Amy. I just hope things can settle down again between you two. That’s what I hope.”

I nodded again, tears pricking at my eyes.

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