Thea

Chapter 5

5

“How about another slice of toast?” I ask Thea. It’s the third time I’ve asked, but I can’t help myself; she’s so skinny these days. She needs a little fattening up.

“No, Mum,” Thea protests, waving her hand at me, “I’m full. Stop fussing.”

I pour her a glass of juice and set it down on the kitchen table. “Okay, but at least drink something. God knows what rubbish they’ll serve in that canteen.”

Thea gets up from her chair, rolling her eyes at me. This has become a habit lately. She reminds me of her sister. “The food will be standard food,” she replies. “The same when Ivy went there. Nothing’s probably changed.”

I pick up the glass and present it to her. She rolls her eyes again, accompanied by a low, pissed-off groan. “Fine,” she says, reluctantly taking the juice and glugging it down in one.

“See? That wasn’t so hard,” I say, a pleased smile on my face. “Can’t have you getting queasy—especially on your first day.”

She unhooks her school bag from the back of the chair and then swings it around her shoulder. “Are you going to be like this every day?”

“Of course not,” I reply. I probably will be. “I just want everything to go well, that’s all. I remember how hard it was for Ivy in that school.”

“Look, Mum. You’re making it worse. You’re putting too much pressure on me.”

“I can’t help it. It’s just tough for me.”

“And me,” she says, walking over to me. “But it won’t be the same. Nothing bad’s going to happen. I’m not Ivy. I’ve got different friends, and I’d never touch drugs—even if you paid me.”

I take hold of Thea’s soft hands. A lump forms in my throat, a mix of sadness and happiness. A year’s a long time in an eleven-year-old’s world, but it’s nothing in mine. It still feels like yesterday. I think it always will. “Thank you,” I say with a smile. “That’s good to know. And I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be. I’ll be home at three thirty to tell you all about my day.”

I pull Thea in for a hug, squeezing her too hard.

I don’t want to let her go.

“You’re crushing me,” she says, playfully.

“Tough,” I reply, fighting hard not to weep. “I’m stuck to you for the day.”

I finally release her, kissing her on the cheek. “Be careful today. And stay away from bad crowds. That school is full of them.”

“You’re doing it again, Mum.”

“Sorry, sweetheart,” I say, stepping away from her, both hands up in surrender. “I’ll see you later for all the gossip.”

“Okay.” Thea gives me a little wave and then leaves through the back door.

I blow her a kiss, but she doesn’t see it. It makes my heart ache. Don’t cry. Save your tears. She’ll be fine. She’s strong. She’ll be home in no time at all. A new school. A brand new chapter in her life. Nothing bad is going to happen.

She’s not Ivy.