Chapter 4: There's No Rule Against It

I woke up earlier than usual on Tuesday morning, after not having had the best night’s sleep. Strange dreams, which, as dreams often do, faded so quickly that I couldn’t recall what was so strange about them. I think they may have been about Clarissa. I may have kissed her in the middle of the school canteen, with everyone standing around watching, pointing, and laughing.

I stared at the ceiling for ten minutes, trying to put the previous day into some kind of perspective. Clarissa had fulfilled her duty. She’d thanked me for being there when she needed someone (I’m not so arrogant as to think she needed me—she just needed someone that night at the wedding) and had even gone further by gracing me with her presence for a couple of hours in English class.

In her world, that was more than enough thanks. I fully expected the world to right itself when I got to school and for everything to return to what passed for normal at Micester High.

So, when I sat down at our usual table at lunchtime to wait for Kevin and Billy, I nearly fell out of my chair when a voice behind me said, “This seat is free, right? It’s usually just the three of you.”

I turned my head and gave Clarissa what was fast becoming my default expression when she spoke to me—wide-eyed and open-mouthed bewilderment.

She placed her plate on the table and took the seat next to me. “Paul, if we’re going to be friends, you really need to stop acting so surprised every time I talk to you.”

“Fr ... Friends?”

“Yes, friends. Friends talk to each other, don’t they?”

“So, we’re friends now?”

“Of course.”

“But ... I mean ... you’re...”

“The Head Villager. I know. Don’t remind me. And you’re a Townie. So what? We can be friends, can’t we? There’s no rule against it, is there?”

“I thought there was,” I said, having regained some control over my vocal cords. I don’t think my brain had quite re-engaged yet, though, judging by that banal remark.

“Well, you thought wrong.” She sounded weary, even more so after she sighed. “I get so sick of it all. Don’t you? ‘The Great Divide,’ or whatever they call it. Look, the truth is that I can trust you. I know that now. And if there’s someone you know you can trust, then they’re your friend, right? That’s how friendship works.” She paused. “Sometimes.”

I shook my head. And I had expected the world to right itself.

“How do you know you can trust me?”

She looked me in the eye and said, “Including you and me, how many people do you think know about what happened on that patio at the wedding? Besides Jake, that is. He doesn’t count.”

I thought for a second. “Four. Me, you, Grace and Emily.”

Without taking her eyes from mine, she said, “Two.”

“Two? But what about—”

“The biggest gossip in school? What do you think I am? Stupid? Don’t get me wrong, I love Grace to pieces, but I couldn’t trust her with something like this.” She paused again. “Actually, I’m not sure what I could trust her with.”

“And Emily?”

“Emily’s my best friend. She’s like my sister, but you don’t have to tell your sister everything, do you? Some things you need to keep to yourself.” She took a deep breath. “Look, after I took your advice and fixed my make-up, I went back to the party, painted on a happy face and acted like everything was fine and dandy. I didn’t say anything to Emily because Grace was with her, which would have guaranteed it would have gotten back to Mum, and I couldn’t let it spoil her day.

“And I haven’t said anything to Emily since because ... Well, I just never really thought I needed to. Honestly, I’d rather just forget about the whole thing. Pretend it didn’t happen. Jake hasn’t said or done anything since, so hopefully it was a one-off.”

She shrugged, and I wondered if she was thinking about the same phrase involving leopards and spots that I was.

With another of those dazzling smiles, she continued, “And I know you haven’t said anything to anyone, which is how I know I can trust you.”

“How do you—”

“Because it would have been all over the school, faster than you could blink if you had. That’s how I know.”

I didn’t say anything for a while, then, “No, I haven’t said anything to anyone. Not even my sister. And I promise I never will.”

“There’s no need to promise. I already know you won’t. You’re a good man, Paul Robertson. Everyone says so. And now I know it’s true. I trust you. And I could use a friend I know I can trust. So ... Friends?”

She arched an eyebrow, smiled and held out her hand to me. Without a moment’s thought, I took it and we shook to seal the deal. “Friends.”

“Bloody hell!” Kevin stopped dead in his tracks and nearly dropped his lunch tray. Billy, a few steps behind, almost ran into him.

“Hi, Kevin. Hi, Billy.” They both stared wordlessly before glancing from Clarissa to me and back again.

“Sit down, then. Your lunch will get cold.”

Without taking their eyes off Clarissa, Kevin and Billy sat and started eating.

“How’s the curry, Billy?” Clarissa asked. “I’ve never been brave enough to try it myself.”

“Er ... It’s ... It’s not bad. I’ve had worse. That place on the high street is pretty dodgy, isn’t it, Slim?”

“That it is, Bills,” I replied with a grin. Was that how I’d been? It was pretty funny to watch.

“Yes, I’d heard that,” Clarissa said. “If we want Indian, we always go to Westmouth. There’s this one restaurant on the seafront that’s just fantastic.”

The world definitely hadn’t righted itself.

After we’d finished eating, Clarissa accompanied me back to the Common Room. As we walked away, Billy and Kevin suddenly engaged in some pretty animated whispering. When we entered the Common Room, a wave of shocked silence washed across the area as all eyes turned to us. This, I wasn’t used to. I was used to pleasant anonymity. No one ever turned to look when I entered a room, let alone stop talking.

“Thanks for letting me sit with you and the guys. It was fun. Different, but fun. You’ll be in McCarthy’s class later?”

I nodded.

“Great. Wait for me after registration, and I’ll walk with you since Grace and Emily don’t do maths.”

“Sure.”

“Great. See you later.” She touched my shoulder, and then strode over to some of her friends.

I glanced around the room at the people looking at me—most of whom quickly turned away and started whispering in their little groups. I shook my head to clear it and walked towards my usual corner where I could do some reading for Miss Pattison’s class, but I didn’t make it. I’d barely gone two steps when Kelly approached from the side and tapped my arm.