by Mates, Dates
After the ‘words’, she offered to drive me over to Dad’s, as I’d arranged to have supper there.
‘Er, no thanks, Mum,’ I said. ‘I promised I’d drop in at Ben’s on the way, just for half an hour to run through some of the songs for the gig next Saturday.’
She rolled her eyes. ‘You’re never in these days, Izzie. Look, call me from your dad’s later, I’ll come and get you.’
‘Oh, don’t worry, Mum,’ I said. ‘I’ll get Dad to drop me.’
‘Well, don’t be too late,’ she called after me as I headed for the door.
The boys were already there when I got to Ben’s house in Highgate. There are four of them in the band: Ben, who’s the lead vocalist and plays guitar and keyboard, Mark on bass, Elliot, also on keyboard, and Biff on drums. The band’s called King Noz and they’ve made quite a name for themselves locally, playing gigs in pubs and local schools. I’m not officially in the band, but when I started going out with Ben, I sang a few numbers with them and now I’ve become a regular.
The boys were all out in the garage, going over some of the songs for Saturday. I say garage, but it’s really a den/music studio. Ben’s dad works as a sound engineer at the BBC and he converted the garage into a studio for Ben to rehearse in. It’s totally brilliant in there. At the beginning of summer, Ben and I went down to the East End and bought loads of silk suit lining fabric, which we draped all over the garage, from the ceiling and walls. He put up posters of Krishna, Buddha and Guru Nanak and we persuaded his dad to collect this old sofa and chair that we’d spotted on a skip a few streets away. It’s a really funky room now - it looks like an Arabian tent and it smells eastern as well, because he burns the joss sticks I got him for his birthday - lavender and amber ones. They smell fab. Ben gave me a key to the room when we were going out and he hasn’t asked for it back, which is good of him. He said I could go there if ever I want to hang out on my own and get away from home. His parents are really cool and never go in. They’re not daft, because I think if the band rehearsed in the house, they’d have gone mad with all the din.
Ben adjusted his glasses and looked up from one of the song sheets. ‘So, Iz, got any new material?’
‘Almost,’ I said. ‘I’m cooking a few ideas.’
Ben nodded. ‘Well, let me have a look when you’ve got something down.’
‘Will do,’ I said and I kicked my shoes off and lay on the sofa. The boys started jamming, so I closed my eyes and drifted off. I’ve no regrets about finishing with Ben, I thought. Everyone said I was mad, as we got on so well, but the excitement had gone. We’d become mates, that’s all. I wanted something more. Though I think I’ll probably stay friends with Ben for life. He’s the type of person that’s really easy to be with - laid back, like nothing ever phases him. Not even me finishing with him. He was like, Whatever you want, babe.
My thoughts turned to the boy in the cafe this morning and I felt a shiver of anticipation. I wondered who he was, what he was into and if I’d bump into him again. It was weird seeing him twice in just two days. I’m a great believer in fate and I think that if something’s meant to happen it will. I looked at my watch. It was only six. Dad lives in a flat near Chalk Farm, behind the shops on Primrose Hill Road. Maybe I’ll get the tube to Camden then walk through the park over to Dad’s instead of going up the main road, I thought. See if Park Boy’s around.
At that moment, a noise to my right distracted me. I opened my eyes to see Biff over at the tap at the back wall. The others couldn’t see what he was doing, but I could. He was filling a plastic bag with water. Biff’s a bit of a nutter and likes nothing better than a water fight. I decided to get out while I was still dry. Last week, I’d joined in with gusto, hurling water bombs like the best of them, but… I don’t know. Suddenly, it all seemed a bit childish. I wasn’t in the mood. I felt restless, so I decided to go off to the park to see if fate had anything more interesting to offer.
On the journey down, my sense of anticipation grew. I really hoped Park Boy would be there. It was a lovely summer’s evening and it felt like there was magic in the air. As I walked from Camden to Primrose Hill, there were loads of people around, standing outside the pubs, sitting outside cafes. For some reason, it felt really romantic. I walked up Parkway then right and along and into the park. As I walked through, there was no sign of him and I couldn’t help feeling disappointed. Never mind, I told myself, what will be, will be. Anyway, he might have a girlfriend. All the fanciable boys are usually involved, one way or another.
As I got closer to Dad’s flat, my thoughts turned to another cute boy. Tom. He’s my three-year-old half-brother. One of my favourite things is giving him his nighttime bath, but he was already in bed when I got there.
Dad and Anna were just ordering an Indian takeaway and they ordered a mixed vegetable one for me, as I’ve been vegetarian for the last year. When the food arrived, we settled down to a really nice supper. It’s always so relaxed at Dad’s. The total opposite of Mum’s, where there’s not a thing out of place and everything is pristine and clean. Here, there are books, magazines and mess everywhere. It looks lived-in, not like the Ideal Home display at Mum’s.
‘Got a new book for you, Izzie,’ said Dad, throwing me a paperback. ‘The Catcher in the Rye, by JD Salinger. I think you’ll enjoy it.’
‘Thanks,’ I said. He’s always giving me stuff to read. He lectures in English literature and sometimes I think that he forgets that I’m his daughter and imagines I’m one of his students. Some of the books he gives me are OK, but some of them are heavy going. I try and read them all, though, as I don’t want him to think that I don’t appreciate it.
Inevitably, Dad asked how things were at home, so I told him about the stud incident. I thought that if I could get him on my side, maybe Mum would come around to the idea. I do have two parents after all, and even though I live with Mum, she shouldn’t have the final say about everything.
‘So, would you have objected?’ I asked.
Dad smiled. ‘Don’t grow up too soon, will you, Izzie?’
‘No, course not. Anyway, how can you grow up too soon? You’re meant to grow up and go through changes, aren’t you? And I’m going into Year Ten next week, so that’s moving on. And don’t change the subject…’ Dad always does this when I try and get him involved with anything that’s happening at home. He kind of sidesteps it.‘Belly button stud. Would you have objected?’
‘Probably not,’ he said finally. ‘Not if you really wanted one. It’s your decision if you want to mutilate your body.’
So I told him I’d put a new stud in after Mum had confiscated the first one.
First he laughed, then he shook his head. ‘Oh dear. Our Izzie’s turning into a rebel. Your mother won’t be happy about that, will she?’
‘Well, she’s not going to find out. And you won’t tell her, will you?’
‘No, of course not,’ he said. ‘But won’t she find out? I mean, you do live in the same house.’
‘That’s the other thing,’ I said. ‘Would you have a word with her about letting me have a lock put on my bedroom door? She keeps walking in on me. I have no privacy at all.’
Dad looked at Anna and grimaced.
‘Keep me out of it,’ she said and started clearing away our takeaway dishes. Anna isn’t a timid sort of person at all. She’s very forthcoming with her opinions about most things, but I’ve noticed that she never says anything about my mum. Like Angus. He never says anything about Dad.
Dad looked at his hands. ‘I don’t know, Izzie. I don’t know if I’m the best one to go laying down the law about how things should be at home. She wouldn’t like it.’
Poo, I thought. Everyone’s scared of my mother. Even my dad. No wonder they split up.
After we’d cleared the kitchen, Anna asked if I wanted to stay and watch a video with them. I looked at my watch. It was half past eight. I’d told Mum I wouldn’t be late, so if I left now, I could still stay in her good books.
&nb
sp; ‘Are you sure I can’t drop you?’ asked Dad as I put on my jacket to go.
I shook my head. ‘No, you stay and relax. I’ll walk up to Camden and get the tube. It’s still light and I’ve got my mobile.’
Finally he let me go and I set off for the tube. Once again, I chose the scenic route, past the shops at Primrose Hill, through the park, then along Regent’s Park Road up to Parkway. Part of me was thinking that if fate had brought me and Park Boy together twice in two days, then it would bring us together again. But another part was thinking that there’s no harm in giving fate a hand. That part was definitely winning the argument.
The light was beginning to fade when I reached the park gates, and normally I wouldn’t walk through on my own, because I know that there are some dodgy people around and not to take stupid risks. But something inside of me was pushing me to go on. I’ll be fine, I told myself, and I have my trusty mobile.
I glanced up the hill to my right as I set off along the path at the bottom of the park. There were a couple of girls sitting near the railings and I was pretty sure they were the ones that Park Boy was with the day before, but no sign of him. Apart from the girls, there weren’t many other people about — only an old lady walking her dog and a man jogging.
As I got halfway down the path, I began to wonder if I’d made a mistake taking this route. It was very quiet and even though it wasn’t dark yet, it didn’t feel as safe as when there were loads of people about. I tried to remember TJ’s tips for being out on your own at night. She’s been working on a piece for the school mag about being street smart. Not walking in empty places at night, I thought, that was one of them.
I stepped up my pace, then glanced over my shoulder. Someone was on the path behind me. A boy in black. He put his head down when I turned. Was it Park Boy? I glanced again, but he’d left the path and was heading for the trees, so I couldn’t see his face. He looked about same height as Park Boy, but I couldn’t be sure that it was him. I could feel my heart beginning to pound as I glanced behind again. No sign of anyone. I don’t like this, I thought. I looked across at the trees and could see movement, like someone was darting from tree to tree, trying to stay out of sight. My heart began to beat really fast and I felt my chest tighten with fear. Was it Park Boy playing some daft game? Then it dawned on me that even if it was, I didn’t know him at all. Maybe he was some kind of weirdo.
I stopped for a moment to try and locate exactly where the person was. But whoever it was in the trees also stopped. I set off again, walking fast, but not quite breaking into a run yet. What shall I do? I thought. I could feel myself begin to panic and I got my mobile out of my pocket and put my thumb on the keypad, ready to phone Dad if I got into any trouble. He lived nearest and could be there in five minutes if I needed help. I took a really quick glance over my shoulder and saw the shape of someone on the path. Yeah, it is Park Boy, I decided, breathing a sigh of relief. Same denim jacket. Right, I thought. Let’s see how he likes it when people disappear behind trees! As I turned a corner on the path, I snuck behind a tree and waited. I could hear the sound of footsteps approaching and as the Boy walked by, I leaped out.
‘Park Police,’ I yelled. ‘What do you think you’re playing at?’
A young lad with dark hair almost leaped out of his skin. He took one look at me and began to run as fast as he could away from me towards the gate. Whoever he was, he wasn’t the one who had been following me. As I watched him scarper, I heard someone laughing behind me. I swung around and Park Boy stepped out with a huge grin on his face.
‘You creep!’ I yelled. ‘You really scared me.’
‘Er, excuse me,’ he said and pointed at the young lad in the distance, who was still running. ‘I think it’s you who’s scaring people. Park Police!’
‘I thought he was you. What were you doing? You were following me, hiding in the trees.’
‘I thought you saw it was me,’ he said, pointing back up the path. ‘Way back there.’
‘Yeah, but I don’t know you.’
‘From the cafe, this morning…’
‘I know. But I don’t know you…’
‘Oh, right,’ said the boy, then smiled. ‘Josh Harper.’ He pointed at the girls I’d passed. ‘I’m with some mates. Do you want to come and join us?’
I looked behind me to the other side of the park, then towards the gate off to my left. I did a quick calculation. If I walked back over and hung out with them for a while, it would be late and I didn’t fancy walking the path again when it was really dark, and I didn’t want to act like I was a weed, asking one of them to come with me.
‘Er, no thanks,’ I said.
‘Got to be home by curfew time?’
‘No. Just…’
‘Then chill,’ he said and sat on the grass, smiling a really wicked smile.‘I won’t bite you… least not until I’ve got to know you better.’ He pulled out a can of lager from his jacket. ‘Want a drink?’
I pulled a face. ‘No thanks. Lager tastes disgusting.’
He laughed and reached into his other pocket and pulled out a small bottle of vodka. ‘Prefer this?’
I shook my head again. ‘What are you? A walking bar?’
‘No, that’s the lot.’ He lifted his arms and leaned back on the grass, inviting me to go into his pockets. ‘But you’re welcome to go through my things, officer.’
I felt myself blushing and was glad that it was beginning to get dark. Hopefully he wouldn’t notice.
‘No, I believe you,’ I said.
‘So what’s your name?’
‘Izzie.’
‘So, no vodka, no lager. What does Izzie like to drink?’
Actually Ribena Lite is my favourite at the moment but I didn’t think it sounded very sophisticated. ‘Er…’
Luckily I was saved from answering as my mobile rang. ‘S’cuse me a sec.’ I walked a few paces away to take the call. It was Mum. She sounded harassed.
‘Where are you?’
‘On my way home.’
‘Why isn’t your dad bringing you? I just called there and he said you were making your own way back.’
‘I’ll be back before it’s dark.’
‘Where exactly are you?’
‘Just going into Camden tube station,’ I fibbed.
‘I’ll pick you up at East Finchley, then.‘
I switched off the phone and went back to Josh. He looked highly amused. ‘Mum and Dad wondering where their little girl is?’
‘No. But I got to go. Er… things to do.’
‘Sure.’ He shrugged and got up to go back to his friends. ‘See you around, kid.’
Kid, I thought as I walked away. What a cheek. Then I turned to sneak another look at him. He turned back at exactly the same time and laughed when he saw me glancing round. Ha, I thought as I set off for the tube.
Caught you looking!
TJ’s Tips for Being Streetwise
· Always keep a taxi number handy for times of emergency or times you can’t reach someone you know. If you have a mobile, save the number in your ‘phone book’.
· Keep your keys in your pocket in case someone ever steals your bag — that way at least you can get in your front door.
· It’s a good idea to have a bag that you can wear diagonally over your body, so it’s harder for someone to grab it and run.
· Don’t walk in dark, secluded places. Use routes home that are well lit and where there are still people about, even if it means walking further.
· Don’t make eye contact with strangers.
· If you ever feel you’re being followed, get to a populated area as fast as possible and keep your mobile within reach but out of sight.
· Never hesitate to call and ask someone to pick you up if you’ve been stranded.
· If a stranger ever asks if you want a lift, always say no and that your dad is on his way and will be there any second. Then immediately phone the person you know who lives nearest.
· If ever travelling
on the tube or train, always travel in a compartment with people in it. If they get off at a stop, leaving the carriage empty, get off with them and get into a carriage with people in it.
· If ever you are mugged, don’t fight. Hand over your phone, watch or purse, then leg it.
· Walk confidently - head up and briskly.
C h a p t e r 6
Zombie
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‘I’ve got a quiz to try out on you,’ said Lucy, flopping on the sofa. ‘It’s just your kind of thing, Izzie - sort of a psychological test.’
We were all over at Nesta’s the following evening. We spent the first twenty minutes swopping news and I’d filled them in on bumping into Josh again and the ongoing war with Mum. She was back to her usual mad self when she picked me up from the tube station the night before. Apparently when she phoned Dad to ask why I wasn’t home yet, he mentioned that he knew about the belly button stud. She wasn’t happy. Oh no. She spent the whole journey home going on about how he’s too laid back when it comes to disciplining me, he’s not the one who has to lay down the rules, the one who worries when I’m out late, wonders where I am and what I’m getting up to. I tried telling her that I could handle myself, but she wasn’t really listening. No wonder Dad doesn’t want to get involved. She gets so worked up over nothing.
It was good to get out of the house and over to Nesta’s to see the girls and have some normal company.
‘OK,’ I said, sitting on the floor next to the sofa. ‘Shoot.’
‘You have to think of your three favourite animals,’ said Lucy. ‘Then remember them in order. Tell me when you’ve got them.’
We all sat and thought for a few minutes.
‘OK, ready,’ I said.
