Libby in the Middle

by Gwyneth Rees

  ‘Michael’s parents didn’t approve and I think they put a lot of pressure on him to break it off.’

  ‘Why didn’t they approve?’ I asked curiously.

  ‘Michael was supposed to be studying for his A levels. They had high hopes that he’d get into Oxford or Cambridge, and they thought his romance with Thecla would be a distraction.’

  ‘Poor Aunt Thecla! She must have been really upset.’ My mind was working overtime putting two and two together. ‘Is that the reason she’s never married, do you think? Because she never got over losing Michael?’

  ‘Oh … well … I don’t know –’

  ‘Look, Daddy! There’s Bella!’ Grace suddenly exclaimed, tugging his arm.

  Sure enough, my older sister was walking towards us carrying a large shopping bag.

  ‘BELLA!’ Dad immediately turned his full attention her way. ‘Where have you been?’

  ‘Jeez, Dad, chill a minute!’ Bella responded, scowling at him under her long eyelashes. She’d put mascara on, I noticed. Lipstick too. ‘I just went for a walk.’

  ‘Rather dressed up for a walk, aren’t you?’ Dad growled.

  She shrugged. ‘Didn’t know who I might meet.’

  ‘Who did you meet?’ he asked suspiciously.

  Bella didn’t bat an eyelid as she answered, ‘Well, one person was the lady who works in the post office. She was very chatty … asked if Aunt Thecla had heard the news about someone called Michael Godwin. He’s moving back to the village apparently, into his father’s old house.’

  ‘Michael’s back?’ Dad let out a little gasp.

  I instantly knew that it must be the same Michael. ‘Oh wow!’ I blurted.

  ‘Why wow? Who is he?’ Bella asked impatiently.

  ‘Aunt Thecla used to be engaged to him,’ I told her. ‘He lived next door to Dad and her when they were children.’

  Bella frowned. ‘How come you know all this and I don’t?’

  Before I could answer Dad said sarcastically, ‘Maybe because she actually hangs out with her family from time to time, Bella.’

  When he asked her where else she’d been, she shrugged. ‘Nowhere in particular. I just needed a break from Aunt Thecla and her gossipy pal. They really embarrassed us in that shop, didn’t they, Libby?’

  I nodded my agreement, suddenly feeling a strong yearning to be back on the same side as Bella – her and me against the grown-ups – the way life used to be when we were younger.

  ‘It was really humiliating, Dad!’ I said. ‘They were going on about underwear and stuff in these really loud voices. It was horrible!’

  Dad winced. ‘All right. Enough. I believe you.’ He took hold of Grace’s hand. ‘Come on, Gracie. I’ll take you to the swings before we go and meet Mummy from work.’

  As Bella and I watched them go she grunted, ‘Anyway, Aunt Thecla’s the one who needs advice about bras. Have you seen that thing she’s got drying on the clothes line today?’

  And we both burst out laughing.

  Chapter Ten

  Over the next few days we gradually settled into our new house, which was only a street away from the dental practice where Mum was going to work. Mum took Bella and Grace to get their new uniforms, and Bella said that when she’d asked Mum if she’d managed to get Aunt Thecla to pay for them, Mum had looked a bit embarrassed and told her to keep her voice down.

  I still had to share a bedroom with Bella, while Grace took the small single room that just about fitted her cabin bed. I’d always had my own room before. Even when Bella and I were younger we’d never had to share (apart from on holiday). I was a bit surprised by how big a deal it was not to have my own private space. I tried to cheer up by telling myself that sharing a room might bring us closer. Though in the cottage and at our aunt’s house Bella had mostly turned her back on me and started texting Sam the second she’d climbed into bed. The only time that changed was if we had something particularly interesting to talk about. Or someone particularly interesting.

  ‘I can’t imagine Aunt Thecla being in love when she was eighteen, can you?’ I said in a conspiratorial whisper as we lay in bed on our second night in our new bedroom.

  Our aunt’s doomed engagement was something I’d always felt curious about, but now that we were living so close to her I was even more eager to know the whole story.

  ‘I can’t even imagine her being eighteen!’ Bella replied with a smirk, turning to face me.

  I giggled and so did she. It was then that she lowered her voice and said in her friendliest and most confiding tone, ‘Listen, Libby … I really need your help.’

  I swear I actually felt a tingle of pleasure go up the back of my neck. (And yes, I do know that’s pretty pathetic.)

  ‘I need you to cover for me tomorrow with Mum and Dad,’ she whispered. ‘With Dad mainly … you know how he fusses like an old granny about where I am.’ It’s true that Dad tends to fret about Bella’s whereabouts a lot more than Mum does. And he’s always completely unapologetic when Bella accuses him of stifling her freedom, saying he doesn’t care about that so long as she stays safe.

  ‘Where are you going?’ I asked suspiciously. Much as I longed to please her, I didn’t want to commit to anything before I knew the details – especially not something that would get me into trouble.

  She immediately went all cool on me again. ‘Look, if you don’t want to help, then just say so.’

  ‘No, I do want to help!’ In that moment I realised I was willing to sacrifice just about anything to feel like I mattered to her again.

  She softened a bit then. ‘Listen, I can’t tell you where I’m going because it’s better for you to genuinely not know if Mum or Dad ask you … you know how rubbish you are at lying … but hopefully they won’t even find out I’m missing.’ She paused. ‘I promise I wouldn’t ask you if it wasn’t really important, Libby.’

  Having her confide in me like this made me feel all warm and happy inside, just like I’d felt when we were younger and she’d included me in her life all the time.

  ‘OK,’ I said quickly. ‘I’ll cover for you.’

  ‘Brilliant! This is what I need you to do …’ And she got out of bed and came and sat down beside me, allowing her leg to actually touch mine as she outlined her plan.

  * * *

  The following morning, as Mum was about to leave the house for her first day at work, I announced that Bella and I were going out for a bike ride.

  Dad looked up in surprise. ‘Really? It looks like rain to me.’

  ‘It’s meant to get brighter as the day goes on,’ Bella lied. ‘Anyway, we’ve got waterproofs.’

  ‘Where are you thinking of going?’ Mum asked. ‘These country roads can be quite dangerous for cyclists, you know. If a car comes round a bend and –’

  ‘It’s OK, Mum. There’s a good cycle path alongside the river,’ Bella said. ‘I went down there to have a look the other day.’

  Luckily Dad nodded his agreement. ‘We used to use the river path a lot when I was young. It goes on for miles. Maybe Grace and I should come with you. We could have a proper family outing.’

  ‘Not a good idea, Dad,’ Bella said quickly.

  ‘Why?’ He sounded a bit suspicious and Bella looked like she was struggling to come up with a good answer.

  That’s when I had my brainwave. ‘Because we haven’t done anything, just the two of us, for ages,’ I said, looking at Mum for support. Of course she immediately got on board. She knows how rejected by Bella I’ve been feeling lately.

  ‘Let them go, Paul. They’ll have a better time on their own,’ Mum said firmly. ‘Why don’t you take a picnic, girls?’

  ‘You’ll be lucky. There’s hardly any bread left,’ Dad said.

  ‘Why don’t you stop off at the baker’s and get some rolls to take with you? I’ll give you some money.’

  ‘Cool. Thanks, Mum.’ Bella actually went over and kissed her on the cheek. She hadn’t done that in ages.

  ‘Oh, and while you’r
e out, can you pop into the uniform shop and see if the name labels we ordered are ready yet?’

  ‘Sure, Mum. We’ll collect them,’ Bella said.

  ‘Now, wish me luck for my first day.’ Mum smiled as she picked up her umbrella to leave. ‘Guess who’s on my patient list this morning? Your headmistress, Mrs McLusky.’

  ‘Mrs McLusky? Really?’

  ‘She lives in the village,’ Dad told us. ‘You’ll have to get used to bumping into people you know now that we live in a smaller community, girls.’

  I wasn’t sure I liked the idea of bumping into my teachers on a regular basis outside of school. And I certainly didn’t like the idea of Mum being our headmistress’s dentist. ‘What if Mrs McLusky has a really traumatic time getting a tooth pulled out or something?’ I said after we’d waved Mum off. ‘She might get horrible flashbacks every time she sees us in school. She’s not going to like us very much then, is she?’

  Dad laughed. ‘Maybe you’ll be a good reminder to go for all her check-ups and to keep her teeth in tip-top condition!’

  ‘Don’t be daft!’ I said crossly.

  After we’d got our bikes ready to go, Bella said she’d forgotten something. She dashed back into the house while I waited with the bikes. Then she came back to the front door with Dad hot on her heels. ‘Just make sure you bring me some change from that!’

  ‘Sure, Dad! If there is any!’ she said cheekily.

  ‘How expensive are these name tags?’ he demanded, but Bella just grinned.

  ‘See you later, Dad!’ she called out.

  Once we were away from the house, I said, ‘But Mum already paid for the name tags.’

  ‘Look, I need some extra cash, OK? Which is why I’m also keeping the money Mum gave me to buy our lunch.’

  ‘What?!’

  ‘Don’t worry! I grabbed these …’ She stopped her bike abruptly to undo her rucksack. Inside she had stashed a whole packet of digestive biscuits, three apples, a big bag of raisins and a family-sized bag of crisps. She handed me the digestive biscuits and an apple. ‘I’ll meet you back here at five o’clock. But I’ll text you first, OK?’

  ‘Bella –’

  ‘Thanks, Lib! I don’t know what I’d do without you! Don’t forget to pick up the labels!’ And she gave me a quick hug and was gone.

  For a few moments I stood feeling a bit of a warm glow inside, because for the first time in forever she had actually hugged me. But as I came out of my daze I started to feel less happy. What was I going to do all day on my own? The idea of a solitary bike ride along the river didn’t exactly thrill me.

  And where was Bella going? I thought about the money she’d taken with her – and the food. The raisins seemed an odd choice. Bella has never liked raisins much – not like Grace, who’ll eat handfuls of them if you let her.

  I decided I might as well pick up the labels anyway, so I headed for the uniform shop.

  Inside the shop I saw that I wasn’t the only customer. A tall man about the same age as my dad was speaking to Mrs Mayhew.

  Suddenly a girl’s cross voice sounded from behind the changing-room curtain. ‘Dad, the skirt’s really long.’

  ‘Good,’ said her father. ‘Just stop complaining and show me, will you?’

  ‘I haven’t got the blouse on yet. I just can’t believe we have to wear this archaic uniform!’

  I gave a little cough to get Mrs Mayhew’s attention. ‘I’ve come to get our name labels,’ I mumbled.

  Mrs Mayhew looked me up and down then. ‘Bella, isn’t it?’

  ‘Libby.’ I felt like saying that she might remember if she looked at my face for more than two seconds.

  ‘Ah, yes.’ She turned to the man. ‘Michael, this is Paul’s daughter. Remember, I told you he’s also just moved back.

  Libby, this is Mr Godwin, who used to live next door to your father.’

  The man gave me a small smile. ‘Hello.’

  ‘Hello,’ I muttered. I couldn’t believe it. So this was the famous Michael Godwin – Aunt Thecla’s former fiancé! He was tall and thin with grey hair and a very serious sort of face.

  At that point a girl my age stepped out from the changing room dressed in the St Clara’s uniform. She had short blonde hair, blue eyes and freckles. She was tall for her age and slim. I could instantly imagine her being brilliant at sports, unlike me.

  ‘See what I mean? I look hideous!’ she said stroppily, though in my opinion she looked much better than I did in the same uniform.

  ‘Don’t be silly. You look very smart. And you’re going to need the blazer as well,’ her dad said.

  ‘Not the blazer! Please, Dad!’

  ‘I’ll compromise, but only if you stop fussing.’

  ‘So if I stop fussing I don’t have to get the blazer?’ she asked hopefully.

  ‘If you stop fussing I’ll let you have the one that fits perfectly right now, rather than sizing up to one that will actually last you a couple of years.’

  ‘Dad, that’s so mean!’ she protested.

  ‘Tansy, this is Libby,’ Mrs Mayhew introduced us swiftly. ‘Libby is also starting in Year Eight at St Clara’s. Isn’t that nice?’

  ‘Really?’ She looked at me with new interest.

  Mrs Mayhew handed me a bag of labels. ‘Here you go, dear. I’m afraid three girls makes for a lot of name tags to sew on for your poor mum. Still … I’m sure your aunt will help.’

  Was it my imagination or did she shoot a sly glance at Mr Godwin as she mentioned my aunt?

  I’d already turned to leave the shop when Mr Godwin suddenly called out, ‘How is Thecla?’

  I swear I could feel the heat radiating off my face as I mumbled that she was fine. No thanks to you, I added inside my head, feeling oddly protective of my aunt. And yes, I do know their break-up happened a long time ago but that didn’t change the fact that he had broken her heart – and she was probably the way she was now because of it.

  Chapter Eleven

  I couldn’t wait to tell Bella about meeting Aunt Thecla’s old fiancé, because I knew such juicy information was bound to earn me a good chunk of her undivided attention.

  I found myself automatically following in the direction my sister had gone – up one of the side roads that led away from the river. I cycled to the end of the road and found a small car park next to a grassy area where a few younger kids were playing football. I couldn’t see Bella but I spotted her bicycle chained up against some railings. I went over to inspect it just to make sure it was hers, then I walked into the field where the noisy ball game was going on. A girl who looked about my age was sitting on the grass.

  ‘Hi,’ I said shyly, walking up to her. ‘I’m looking for my sister. That’s her bike over there. Have you seen her?’

  The girl looked up. ‘She went off with some guy on a motorbike.’

  ‘What?’ I was totally shocked. ‘Are you sure?’

  She gave me a look like I was stupid and didn’t bother to reply.

  ‘Was it a young guy?’ I asked, thinking that it had to be Sam, though I still wasn’t quite able to believe it.

  ‘Pretty young. Not some old pervert, if that’s what’s worrying you.’ She was looking at me curiously. ‘I haven’t seen you here before.’

  ‘We just moved here.’

  ‘Oh yeah? I only moved here six months ago.’

  ‘Really?’ I was instantly interested, pleased to have found another newcomer.

  I sensed she might be interested in me too. ‘Are you starting at Westbury High?’ she asked.

  I shook my head. ‘St Clara’s.’

  ‘Really?’ She looked like she was about to say more, then suddenly tensed up as she spotted two girls our age walking towards us, dressed in jeans and branded T-shirts. They were carrying cans of Coke, and handed her one before flopping down on the grass beside her.

  ‘Who’s this then, Katie?’ one of them asked. She was wearing quite a lot of make-up and she had a pink streak in her dark-blonde hair, which actually
looked pretty cool.

  ‘I’ve only just met her,’ Katie replied. ‘She’s just moved into the village.’

  ‘Hi, I’m Libby,’ I said shyly.

  ‘I’m Fran,’ said the girl with the pink streak.

  ‘I’m Lara,’ said the other girl, who had long white-blonde hair and was very tall and slim. ‘So are you going to Westbury High? What year are you in?’

  Katie said, ‘She’s going to St Clara’s.’

  ‘OOH, Katie’s got a friend at the posh school!’ Fran teased.

  ‘Don’t be stupid,’ Katie said crossly. ‘She’s looking for her sister. Remember that cute guy we saw on the motorbike?’

  ‘He’s her sister?’ Lara said with a giggle. ‘Wow – that’s some amazing sex-change op!’

  Fran started laughing too but Katie looked annoyed. ‘The girl who got on his bike is her sister.’

  ‘Her name’s Bella,’ I said, but none of them were listening to me.

  Lara and Fran eventually stopped laughing. ‘My dad says St Clara’s is for girls who are too delicate or too dim to make it in a normal school,’ Fran said.

  ‘She doesn’t look delicate,’ Lara put in as she stared at me. ‘At least her thighs certainly don’t.’

  ‘Right, so I guess that makes her dim!’ Fran said, and they both started laughing their heads off again while Katie looked uncomfortable.

  I could feel my face burning as I turned and walked away from them. So much for making friends here. I was relieved Bella wasn’t with me because I know she’s still really sensitive about other girls being bitchy – to me as well as to her. I was just really glad those three weren’t going to the same school as us.

  As soon as I was sure I was out of sight, I fished my phone out of my pocket to call my sister. I had other things to worry about now. Sam must have come here on his motorbike to visit her.

  Her phone went straight to voicemail, so I sent her a text instead: I know u r with Sam!

  A few minutes later she rang me. Before she could even speak I burst out, ‘Bella, I know you’re with Sam! I found your bike and someone saw you go off with him.’