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there.” 
    I get a glass of water and go up to bed. I think about Granma, and me and Raj.

Me and Chloe 
    I’m under the duvet and my mobile goes. It’s Chloe. 
    â€œWhere’ve you been?” 
    â€œUp the General. My granma’s died.” 
    â€œDid you see her die?” 
    â€œI was the last – I saw her take this funny breath.” 
    â€œYou okay?” 
    â€œYeah. It’s a pain. Haven’t got my project done or anything.” 
    â€œYou are so rubbish. Here I’ve been sweating over a hot essay and you’re out having a life.” 
    â€œYou’ve done it?” 
    â€œYeah – Dad helped. But it was me in the end.” 
    â€œY’know, my dad offered to help – that’s a first. Not that he could. He was rubbish at school.” 
    â€œYou dad is so cool. Not like a dad.” 
    I’m looking at my fingernails, wondering if I need some new varnish, and Dad walks in. 
    He stops when he sees I’m on the phone. 
    â€œYeah.” I turn away from him. I feel bad about it, but I need some space right now, from all this death and stuff. 
    I hear him close the door after him as he leaves. I snuggle down under the duvet. 
    â€œSo, tell me, how’s everything with Raj?” 
    â€œChloe, it’s nothing, really!” 
    â€œYou are such a bad liar, d’you know that? I know you’re all loved up over him.”
    â€œYeah well, you just keep on knowing and I’ll do whatever I’m doing. How about you?” 
    â€œMe and Lan, we’re going out on Friday – pictures or something.” 
    â€œCool.” 
    â€œBut there’s something going on at home, Mel.” 
    â€œWhat do you mean?” 
    Her voice gets quieter, like she’s making sure nobody hears. “I don’t know, I’ve just got a feeling.” 
    â€œWhat kind of feeling?” 
    â€œIt’s like there’s a secret somewhere, like people aren’t saying it.” 
    Dad puts his head round the door again, mimes blah blah blah at me. 
    â€œLook, I’ve got to go, right? See you tomorrow.” 
    â€œSee you.” 
    â€œAnd hey…” 
    â€œWhat?” 
    â€œDon’t worry.” 
    I sigh and turn to Dad.

Me 
    â€œMum, I feel sick.” 
    I almost begin to believe it, feel my stomach heaving. A vague frown passes over her face, like she’s not sure. 
    â€œAgain? We’ll have to get you to the doctor’s.” 
    â€œNo, it’s just a bug. Everyone at school’s got it.” 
    â€œAre you sure you’re really ill? You’re not feeling sad about Granma?” 
    â€œNo. Yes. Yes I’m feeling sad.” But I’m not. Granma’s just an empty space inside me. 
    â€œDo you think you’d better stay at home today, love?” 
    â€œI really want to be at school, we’ve got French.” Like I’d want to go to French. If it was art today I’d be there, even if I was throwing up all over the place. 
    She looks at her watch. “No, I think you should stay. You need to take care of yourself.” 
    That makes her a good mum, does it? She doesn’t think of having a day off work to look after somebody sick in her family. She cares more about the brats in her school than she does about me. I’m not important enough. Not that I’d want her around anyway. 
    â€œSuppose.” I try to sound disappointed. Hannah gave me a look, like she’s disgusted. As if I’d care what Hannah thinks. She can go off to her special course at uni. Wish she was going somewhere else, not staying at home like Dad wants her to. 
    Now everyone’s gone. The house is so quiet. Dad escaped first, giving me a quick grin as he