When I Was Joe by Keren David

Author:Keren David
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781907666117
Publisher: MBI
Published: 2010-05-24T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 16

Private

Half term is when they said I might be able to see my gran. But nothing seems to be happening. I keep on asking Maureen and she keeps on saying be patient, and I never hear anything from Mum. I’m beginning to feel she’s forgotten me, even though I know she’s not allowed to phone.

Ellie never contacts me either. I’ve been going for a run every day and do as much of the other training as I can with the few machines that they have at the local swimming pool – they have concessionary rates for under-sixteens, it turns out – but it hurts that she’s not in touch. Maybe she feels that I’ve let her down and she can’t be bothered any more.

Ashley’s gone off to Spain for the week with her family. I texted her on the Friday night: ddn’t gt xcldd, hv a gd time, c u Jx. I didn’t hear anything back. I’m almost sure that means she’s chucked me.

Half way through the week Ellie’s mum rings Maureen to find out how things are going and invites me over for lunch again. I think Maureen’s relieved to get a few hours off – it can’t be great fun being a permanent babysitter to a moping teenager. She drops me off at noon on the dot, although Janet had told her any time between twelve and one.

I’m really nervous. I’m worried about seeing Ellie again. Is she even going to talk to me? Have I mucked everything up? And I’m even more anxious about Claire. Ever since Mr Naylor made me apologise to Carl I’ve known I must say sorry to Claire for hurting her and scaring her. Only then will I be able to forgive Joe.

Alex lets me in. ‘Come and play football in the garden!’ he yells, and I follow him out to where Ellie’s dad Gareth is setting up the barbeque. ‘Hello, lad. How’s it going?’ he says, handing me a can of Coke. Ellie and her mum are out but will be back soon, he explains. The boys shout for me to play with them, but I ask, ‘Where’s Claire?’

‘Upstairs, I suppose. Why don’t you see if you can persuade her to come and get some sunshine for once?’

I creep upstairs as quietly as possible. Claire’s room is up a second flight of stairs – it’s a converted attic. There’s a sign saying ‘Private – Keep Out’, but I don’t even knock. I push the door open and for a moment I’m completely confused. The curtains are closed and it’s totally dark in there.

I stay still and quiet while my eyes adjust. I don’t think Claire’s even in there; there’s no sign of life. Then I see a slight movement and realise that she’s sitting on the floor, half hidden behind the bed. She’s got headphones on and her eyes are closed and she’s got a strange look on her face, a look that reminds me of something, but I can’t quite think what.

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