Unravelled

I shake my head, grateful to be an only child. “Well, I’m not stooping to emotional blackmail. Besides, Dad would never buy it. Me, moving in with a boy?”

Lebz looks at me, her expression somewhat pitying. “You’re right. That’s not convincing at all.” She puts on a thoughtful expression and falls silent for some time.

It’s at times like this, when she’s quiet and I can practically hear the wheels turning in her head, that I find it most difficult not to read her thoughts. I have to make a special effort to distract myself so I don’t break the promise I made to her and Wiki. I’m only allowed to invade their privacy in an emergency. I thought learning to get into people’s heads was hard, but learning to stay out is even harder.

“OK, here’s another idea,” she says finally. “Tell them the truth.”

I stare at her blankly. “The truth?”

“Yes! How much you hate being stuck in the middle. And mention your mother.”

I wince. “Ooh, that’s a low blow.”

“Sometimes you have to be cruel,” she replies firmly. “Do you think your mother would be happy about the way things are? If she were alive, they would be making more of an effort. And that’s not fair. They should be willing to make an effort for you, too.”

Hmm. The girl makes a good point. If Ntatemogolo had been around immediately after my mother died, things might have been different. Now that I’m a teenager they think I can handle their animosity. I can, but I shouldn’t have to.

I give Lebz’s arm an appreciative pat. “Thank you, Doctor.”

“The first session’s free,” she jokes. “Hey, I’m hungry. You want some snacks?”

“Yes, please.”

On the way to the till we pick up some chips and drinks. While standing in line, I notice a gorgeous couple walking past the shop, holding hands and gazing hungrily at each other.

I poke Lebz in the ribs to make her turn. “Kencer!”

Her eyes light up, then narrow. “Those two are joined at the lip.”

I raise my eyebrows. Usually Lebz would dash out to say hello, but it appears Spencer’s presence is enough to put her off. I glance at the couple as they move further away. Kelly looks fabulous in a bright blue maxi dress, but it seems to sag slightly on her frame. “Is it just me or has she lost weight?”

“It’s not just you,” Lebz assures me. “It’s funny – Kelly never diets. She doesn’t have to. She must be lovesick.”

A funny feeling comes over me. I remember how weak Kelly seemed at the party, and now she’s losing weight as well?

“I know what you said about Spencer’s temper, but Kelly seems happy,” Lebz continues.

There’s a sliver of doubt there. I latch onto it. “You don’t trust him, do you?”

She moves closer to the till with a sigh. “I just…I don’t know. Maybe hanging around you has made me paranoid.”