Spot the Difference by Juno Dawson

Author:Juno Dawson [Dawson, Juno]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781471405921
Amazon: B01AUWHBWW
Publisher: Hot Key Books
Published: 2016-02-25T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eleven

It’s almost time for my date with Seth, and I’ve tried on half the contents of my wardrobe. I don’t want to look like I’ve made an effort, but I also want to look effortlessly flawless. And none of my old clothes go with my new face. I try to recreate Scarlett’s make up magic, but I somehow paint one eye bigger than the other so I end up looking like a Picasso drag queen. I scrub it all off and settle for a little mascara and lip gloss.

Seth is already waiting at the north gate to the Prince of Wales park. It’s seven-thirty and it’ll be light for a couple of hours yet. Even so, I’m aware we’re heading into the woods.

‘Have you brought me here to murder me?’ I say, hoping he doesn’t think I’m a psycho.

‘No. I take all my victims to the quarry, obviously.’

‘Ah, of course.’

And just like that, it isn’t awkward. His dog is a sage-looking Jack Russell-cross with a loyal, slightly heroic face. I make a fuss of him, but he seems focused on getting into the park and off the lead. Seth and I trail behind him as we follow one of the dirt tracks.

‘So, what do you do when you’re not at school?’ he asks.

‘Normal stuff. I see my dad at weekends, hang out with Lois. Read books and stuff. I don’t think I have, like, an actual “hobby”.’

‘Who does? Oh, well, my mum has a horse. I ride him sometimes.’

‘You can ride horses? No way! I always wanted to do that, but my mum said we couldn’t afford the lessons. I think she was worried I’d start down the “I want a pony” route too, though.’

‘Well, you can always come and ride Hitch.’

Is that an offer for a second date?

‘Oh, I dunno … I haven’t been on a horse in … well, ever … although I did once have a donkey ride on the beach.’

‘I’ll ride with you.’ His eyes widen. ‘Oh, like, I mean …’

‘I got it!’ I smile. ‘What about you? You’re a bit of a mystery. How did you wind up hanging out with Scarlett?’

‘My mum and Rufus’s mum are best friends, so we’ve always been tight. I know he can be a bit of a div, but he’s cool really. And he’s been through a lot. His dad used to hit his mum … though don’t tell him I told you that.’

I’m not sure what to say. ‘Oh, wow. I had no idea.’ I take a deep breath. ‘This is going to make me sound like the most self-involved person in the world, but I was having such an awful time at school I guess I thought everyone else was having a crazy-neon-rave-party every day.’

The trees thicken and green leaf-light glitters overhead.

‘Understandable. I’m sorry if I made your life difficult.’

I look into his eyes and see he means it.

‘You didn’t. You never did.’ At least, not on purpose.

Seth stops as if to get his bearings. ‘I think it’s this way.

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