Pick 'n' Mix (11 page)

“Matter of fact,” I said, “we've all been invited to tea next Saturday. Melia's mum wants to say thank you to us for looking after Melia.”

There was a silence.

“You were the one that looked after her,” said Skye. “We didn't do much.”

“Didn't really do anything,” said Jem.

“It'd seem like false pretences.”

I guessed that meant they didn't want to come. I hadn't really thought they would. Having tea with Melia and her mum wasn't the most exciting prospect.

“Are you going to go?” said Jem.

“Couldn't very well get out of it,” I said. “Didn't want to hurt Melia.” And then I felt a bit ashamed. “Actually, I'm quite looking forward to it,” I said. “I'm going to take Rags. He'll be so excited! He's really worried that he can't find her. He can't understand why she's not there any more. But it's all right,” I said, “there's no need for you to come if you'd rather not. I can always tell Melia you're doing something else.”

They looked at each other.

“Maybe we ought to come,” said Skye.

“Yes, cos we are your friends,” agreed Jem.

“Melia thinks you're her friends too.” That's why she had asked them. She had no idea they found her an embarrassing nuisance.

“I suppose, in a way, she's right,” said Skye. “I know she used to get me really mad but you couldn't help feeling a bit fond of her.”

“She could be really sweet,” said Jem. “Like stealing that mug for your mum?”

“And d'you remember in Boots, that time, when she smeared lipstick all over herself?”

“And that time in HMV. I thought I'd die!”

“And then when she called Daisy
Snot Face
!”

“Omigod, yes!”

I didn't remind them that they hadn't found any of it very amusing when it was actually happening. I hadn't myself. But suddenly, we could all see the funny side.

“So does this mean you're going to come?” I said.

“Got to,” said Jem. “Don't have any choice. Can't leave you on your own.” She linked her arm through mine. “Told you before… real friends stick together!”

“Through thick and thin,” said Skye.

We crammed three abreast through the main entrance, nearly knocking over Daisy Hooper as we did so. Things were
so
back to normal!

Back to normal at home, as well. I was in the kitchen with Mum, at tea time, when Angel came raging downstairs saying she had been checking up and
someone had messed with her things.
All because one of her china ornaments was facing the wrong way! Obviously the one poor old Melia had blown at.

“Someone's moved it!” shrieked Angel.

As a rule when Angel shrieks at me I shriek right back at her, but today, being in this exceptionally good mood, I simply, very calmly, said, “If that is so, then I apologise,” which took the wind
right
out of her sails. She went all purple and started spluttering.

“Didn't I tell you,
don't touch anything
? Didn't I—”

“Oh, Angel, give it a rest,” begged Mum. “Leave your sister alone! She's had a lot to put up with these last few weeks. If you ask me –” she gave me a quick hug as she reached across for the kettle – “she deserves a medal! If all that's happened is one of your ornaments got turned the wrong way round, I don't reckon you have much to complain about.”

Wow.
It isn't very often Mum takes my side!

Also by Jean Ure

Frankie Foster: Fizzy Pop!

Ice Lolly

Love and Kisses

Fortune Cookie

Star Crazy Me!

Over the Moon

Boys Beware

Sugar and Spice

Is Anybody There?

Secret Meeting

Passion Flower

Shrinking Violet

Boys on the Brain

Pumpkin Pie

Skinny Melon and Me

Becky Bananas, This is Your Life!

Fruit and Nutcase

The Secret Life of Sally Tomato

Family Fan Club

Special three-in-one editions

The Tutti-Frutti Collection

The Flower Power Collection

The Friends Forever Collection

Copyright

1

FRANKIE FOSTER : Pick ‘n' Mix

Text copyright © Jean Ure 2011

The author asserts the moral right to be identified as the author of this work.

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ISBN-13 978-0-00-736267-7

EPub Edition © 2011 ISBN: 9780007443321

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