by Cathy Cole
Lila gave a half-smile. They danced some more, and she tried to enjoy the feel of Ollie’s arms around her waist. When the song finished and something livelier took over, she detached herself.
“I’m going to find a drink. Do you want anything?”
Ollie shook his head, and started dancing with Max. Feeling suddenly cold outside the warm circle of his arms, Lila made her way through the packed dance floor in search of Josh.
How could she have been so blind? It seemed obvious now she thought about it. Who, apart from Ollie and Polly, had bothered being nice to her in those early days? She needed to find him.
After fetching a couple of drinks, she hunted high and low for Josh’s lanky frame, steering well clear of Eve holding court in the middle of the room. He had been wearing a dark jacket, which wasn’t exactly easy to spot in the crowd.
Maybe he’d left. She winced as she remembered how she had been with Santiago that night on the beach, when she thought she had seen someone on the path to the secret cove. . . And tonight, she was clearly with Ollie. She had never given Josh a chance.
She found him at last, outside on the balcony at the back of the house. Candles lit the tables, and swags of pink lights garlanded the wrought iron railings. He was alone, the collar of his jacket turned up against the chill of the night, gazing absently down at the long flare-lit garden.
“Hey,” Lila said hesitantly to his back.
Josh swung round. His cheeks coloured. “Oh. Hi.”
She raised the two glasses of punch in his direction. “You want one of these?”
He took the drink silently. His jacket suited him, Lila thought, hanging long and sleek on his tall frame.
“So,” she said, casting around for a good way to start this conversation. “Having a good time?”
“Sure,” he said. “Standing around, talking to no one, not dancing. It’s my kind of evening.”
“Don’t you like dancing?”
“It’s more a case of dancing not liking me,” he said drily. “One minute I have two perfectly normal feet. The next minute, they’ve both turned left on me.”
The garden below was dotted with pale figures hurrying among the trees, giggling, holding hands and kissing. It felt a little weird standing here watching them, Lila thought.
“Where’s Ollie then?” Josh asked, sipping his drink.
Lila steeled herself. I know I’m right, she thought. All I have to do is ask.
“Let’s not talk about Ollie,” she said. “I have a question to ask you.”
“If it’s about the Berlin Airlift, go right ahead,” he said. “If it’s about something else, I reserve the right not to answer.”
“Did you write me those letters?”
Lila watched as his drink shook a little in his hand.
“What letters?”
It was true. Lila knew it as surely as she knew anything.
“The letters that kept me sane in the first few days at Heartside High,” she answered, putting her hand on his without thinking.
He pulled his hand away clumsily, and then pushed his glasses up his nose. “I know you’re with Ollie. And anyway, I wouldn’t mess up our friendship with any sad attempts at romance. I mean, look at you. The fact that you even talk to me is a miracle. Girls as pretty as you don’t usually bother. Why would I write you letters?”
He thinks I’m pretty, Lila thought. The realization made her flush. She remembered the drawing he had done in his sketchbook, in their first history class together. Sweet, lovely Josh.
“I loved them,” she said honestly.
He gave half a smile. “Then the letter-writer got one thing right at least. Whoever he was.”
The French windows behind them banged hard against the wall.
“There you are!” Rhi laughed, her arms slung round Eve and Polly. “We’ve been looking everywhere for you. Come on, it’s nearly the last dance.”
Polly seized Lila by the hand. “Come on,” she insisted. “I’ve lost Flynn and I need a dance partner. Last chance!”
Lila glanced round for Josh. But he had slid away as usual, tall and ghost-like. Would she ever solve the puzzle that was Josh Taylor?
She let herself be dragged back to the dance floor, where Polly started jumping around while Rhi and Eve swayed elegantly and perfectly in time with the tune. Letting her arms float above her head, Lila lost herself in the music again. Ollie was messing around at the front with Max, she noticed. She couldn’t help smiling.
“Ollie’s dancing is insane,” Polly giggled as they danced. “He should stick to football.”
“Max isn’t much better,” Rhi grinned.
They all watched as Max ran across the floor, Ollie hot on his heels.
“I forgot to tell you, Lila,” said Eve. “Your dress really is gorgeous.”
“Thanks,” said Lila in surprise. “So’s yours.”
Eve was nearly impossible to predict, she thought.
“This is such a perfect party,” Rhi said exultantly. “Great music, great fun, and everyone’s getting on really well at last.”
Polly whooped and danced a bit harder. Laughing, Eve joined in, losing some of her elegance as the music pumped harder in her blood. Lila allowed herself to relax, and look around, and really enjoy herself. Rhi was right. It had truly been an excellent party.
The song ended, and the telltale sound of another slow dance started up. Eve pulled Lila into a sudden hug. Rhi smiled broadly at the sight, and spun around on the spot with her arms stretched up high and her eyes closed.
“You may have won the battle for Ollie,” Eve whispered, tightening her grip around Lila’s shoulders, “but I’ll win the war. Keep watching your back, new girl. If you thought it was bad before, you haven’t seen anything yet.”
She planted a loud kiss on Lila’s frozen cheek. “It’s been so much fun having you here,” she said with her hostess smile fixed firmly back on her flawless face. “I can’t wait to know you better.”
“Finally,” said Rhi, watching Eve drift off the dance floor. “I can’t tell you how great it feels to see you guys getting along at last.”
Polly went to fetch a drink as Max wandered over to claim Rhi for the slow dance. Lila discovered that she couldn’t move her feet. Eve had just taken things to a whole new level.
“Hey, beautiful,” said Ollie, catching her round the waist and spinning her to face him. “I love this song. I’m so glad I can dance it with you.”
She let Ollie pull her in his arms. She turned her face up to his, and was rewarded with a deep and heady kiss that she felt right down to her toes.
I’ll forget about that look on Josh’s face when he saw me with Ollie, she vowed to herself breathlessly, twisting her hands through Ollie’s hair and moulding herself to his swaying body in the glittering party light. I’ll forget about Eve. I’ll forget about everything but this kiss, right here and right now.
Eve Somerstown could bring it on. Lila had the hottest guy in school, and good friends around her.
If Eve wanted war, she’d give her war.
Maybe it was time for a new queen bee in Heartside.
The story continues. . .
Read the opening of the next book:
The Trouble With Love
Polly Nelson couldn’t take her eyes off the stitching along the hem of the flowy skirt she was wearing. She had chosen it so carefully that afternoon. She couldn’t believe she’d left the house in something that looked so bad.
The campfire crackled merrily, the smell of toasting marshmallows mingling with the salty beach air, the pumping bass from Max’s MP3 and the lively sound of chatter. It was surprisingly warm for a February afternoon, even without the fire. Polly tucked the offending skirt under her legs, hoping that she wouldn’t think about it so much that way. She looked terrible. She hoped no one would n
otice.
On the opposite side of the fire, Polly’s best friend Lila Murray had finished threading her stick with marshmallows and was placing them in the flames. Her glossy brown hair was whipped up by the wind coming in from the sea, and she was laughing at something her boyfriend Ollie Wright was saying. She was so pretty, Polly thought, and had such infectious enthusiasm for everything. No wonder Ollie was mad about her. It was hard to believe Lila had only come to Heartside Bay a few weeks ago. It felt like they’d known each other for half their lives.
It’s half-term, Polly scolded herself. You’re in the secret cove with your friends, a bonfire, marshmallows and great music. What’s not to like?
This skirt looks awful, her thoughts replied at once.
What are you going to do about it? Polly challenged herself. Take it off and dance around the beach in your underwear?
Her gaze flickered towards Ollie. He looked extra-gorgeous when he laughed, she thought wistfully.
She’d had a secret crush on Ollie since her first day at Heartside High. He had dropped a pencil by her feet in Year Eight, and she had kept it. She had written in detail about him in her diary in Year Nine, and treasured every private conversation they had ever had. After all these years, she still couldn’t stop her heart from fluttering every time she saw him. And now he was Lila’s.
As she gazed at Ollie, Polly caught Lila’s eye. She instantly felt guilty. Did the fact that she fancied her best friend’s boyfriend show in her face? Her wide hazel eyes were much too expressive, she knew. She loosed her hair and let it swing round her face like a thick black curtain.
“Half-term at last,” Lila sighed happily. She fiddled with her marshmallow stick. “I can’t believe it’s here. We’re going to have so much fun.”
Polly felt a wave of relief. Lila hadn’t read anything in her expression. It looked like her complicated feelings for Ollie were still a secret.
Ollie dusted sand off his jeans and snuggled his arm round Lila’s shoulders. “And it starts right here,” he said. “Are my marshmallows done yet?”
Lila guarded her marshmallow stick, baring her teeth like a dog. “Cook your own!” she warned, smiling.
“What’s yours is mine,” Ollie said innocently. “That’s the way relationships work.”
Lila kicked him with one bare, sandy foot. “You wish!”
Ollie launched himself at Lila, tickling her until she begged, squealing, for mercy. Then he cut off her laughter with a kiss.
Polly suddenly felt more lonely than she’d ever felt in her life.
“I’m going for a paddle,” she said, getting up.
“Want some company?” Lila said, pushing Ollie off and raising herself up on her elbows. The sand in her hair made her look like an off-duty mermaid.
Polly shook her head. “Save a marshmallow for me?”
“Of course, Pol,” Lila said warmly.
“Hey!” Ollie said in a mock-indignant voice. “You’re letting her have one, but not me?”
Lila and Ollie were the perfect couple, Polly thought with a sigh as she took off her shoes and moved away from the campfire. They were both gorgeous, and bubbly, and popular. It had taken Lila a few weeks to settle in to her new school – thanks mainly to queen bee Eve Somerstown causing trouble – but now she was in the middle of every social event in Heartside and almost more popular than Eve herself. Lila had long legs, a rich laugh and beautiful thick brown hair. Why would Ollie look at anyone else – least of all, Polly?
Enough with this obsession, she thought, straightening her shoulders. It was time to move on. Anyway, Ollie represented everything she despised in boys. Dumb sexist humour, never taking anything seriously, and only ever thinking about football. He was wrong for her in every way.
There must be someone better out there for you, she consoled herself. Someone more intelligent than Ollie, more sensitive, less sporty. Maybe someone with deep political convictions. Now that would be a dream boy.
She reached the edge of the sea and let the cold waves swish over her toes. The sea always calmed her down and helped her to think more clearly. She couldn’t imagine living inland. It would be torture, knowing that the ocean was curling and crashing over someone else’s feet, not her own.
Polly glanced over her shoulder at the sound of laughter. Rhi and Eve were chasing Rhi’s boyfriend Max down the beach, throwing handfuls of sand after him. Max ran backwards, grinning and waving as Rhi and Eve chased him. His dark curly hair blew around his head.
“Catch me if you can!” he whooped teasingly.
“Oh, we’ll catch you!” Eve shouted. “Don’t worry about that, Max!”
“No one eats our marshmallows and gets away with it!” Rhi added, gasping with laughter as she flung her sand in Max’s direction. It fell harmlessly by his feet.
“Typical girl,” Max taunted with a grin, racing back towards the campfire. “Can’t throw to save your life!”
Why can’t I be more like Eve? Polly thought, watching them. Totally comfortable hanging out with her best friend and her boyfriend?
She shook her head, surprised at herself. She could never be like Eve in any way. Eve made everyone’s lives a misery. Lila had been through hell in her first couple of weeks at Heartside High because of Eve. She had made Polly’s life miserable too. Eve was as trustworthy as a snake.
Polly watched as Eve, true to form, threw herself beside the others by the campfire, accidentally on purpose knocking Lila’s arm and spilling her water in her lap.
“Whoops,” she drawled, not sounding the least bit sorry.
“Whoops yourself,” Lila said, and dumped what was left of her water over Eve’s head.
“Ugh!”
Eve jumped furiously to her feet, mopping hard at her cashmere jumper. Rhi helped her to mop off the worst of the water with Max’s help. Ollie just laughed.
“I’m really sorry, Eve,” said Lila with an innocent-looking shrug. “It was a total mistake. My hand has a life of its own, didn’t you know?”
Even from a distance, Polly could see Eve’s eyes were glittering with rage.
“That wasn’t kind, Lila,” said Rhi reproachfully.
“She did it to me first,” Lila pointed out, mopping herself dry. “You have to learn to take what you dish out, Eve. Just be glad I wasn’t drinking anything sticky.”
“I spilled your drink by accident,” Eve hissed.
“Funny kind of accident,” said Lila, rolling her eyes. “You have to stop with all these silly games, Eve. We’re all tired of your behaviour.”
“Give it a rest, will you?” said Max lazily, swiping a marshmallow. “This is supposed to be a party.”
“I will not,” Eve snapped, and jumped to her feet. “She started it.”
Several of the other girls in their class rallied round Eve with Rhi and Max. Lila stood up warily, with Ollie, a group of Ollie’s footballing mates and a bunch of other kids clustered round her in support.
Polly felt nervous. Things had been extra tense between Lila and Eve since Valentine’s Day. It was great that Lila wasn’t putting up with Eve’s tricks any more, but things were getting out of hand.
It was beginning to feel like the whole school was split between supporters of Eve and supporters of Lila. The tension was awful. It wasn’t the best way to start half-term.
“Fight!” someone yelled.
Continued. . .
Scholastic Children’s Books
An imprint of Scholastic Ltd
Euston House, 24 Eversholt Street
London, NW1 1DB, UK
Registered office: Westfield Road, Southam, Warwickshire, CV47 0RA
SCHOLASTIC and associated logos are trademarks and or registered trademarks of Scholastic Inc.
First published in the UK by Scholastic Ltd, 2014
This electronic edition pu
blished by Scholastic Ltd, 2014
Text copyright © Scholastic Ltd, 2014
eISBN 978 1407 14302 6
A CIP catalogue record for this work is available from the British Library.
All rights reserved under International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions. By payment of the required fees, you have been granted the non-exclusive, non-transferable right to access and read the text of this e-book on-screen. No part of this text may be reproduced, transmitted, downloaded, decompiled, reverse engineered, or stored in or introduced into any information storage and retrieval system, in any form or by any means, whether electronic or mechanical, now known or hereinafter invented, without the express written permission of Scholastic Limited.
Produced in India by Quadrum
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, incidents and dialogues are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual people, living or dead, events or locales is entirely coincidental.
www.scholastic.co.uk
