Chapter 9
‘Remember…’ Kitty reached over and grabbed Bella’s wrist and waited until her sister turned and looked at her.
Bella made brief eye contact then looked away. Why did Kitty have to be so bloody intense all the time?
‘Remember, whatever happens, whatever results you get, we’re all proud of you. Me, Stu, Dad and Linda.’
‘Oh yeah, I bet Linda’s really proud,’ Bella said, deadpan.
‘You should give her a chance, you know,’ Kitty said softly.
Bella looked at her again, incredulous. ‘Why? So I can have a brand-new mum and forget all about my actual one?’
‘Don’t be silly. She’s a nice woman. She’s kind. And you know, she’s trying.’
‘It must be very difficult for her.’
Kitty let go of her wrist and sighed. ‘I know. I get it. It’s hard for all of us. But Dad seems happy. And you know, Mum’s been gone nearly two years now.’
‘Oh, so we should just forget about her; is that what you’re saying?’
‘Look, let’s not talk about this now,’ Kitty said, a bright artificial tone returning to her voice. ‘I just wanted to say good luck. And you know, don’t worry. We’ll get you sorted.’
Bella grunted and exited the car.
At the school, pupils were already streaming in and out; some with groups of friends; some with family; others, alone. There were whoops and screeches from some; others simply melted away into their future, clutching the paper that would go some way to dictate it.
She already knew – and Kitty already suspected – that the news wouldn’t be good.
She hadn’t worked hard, had been unable to somehow.
I mean, what were A levels anyway? Something some professor had invented a hundred years ago.
A piece of paper. Everything seemed so pointless.
University had once been a goal, but she was almost certainly not going to get the place she’d applied for.
It was weird, but she didn’t really care.
If Mum’s death had taught her anything, it was that your future comes and hits you full in the face whether you like it or not.
You could try to shape it with qualifications and dreams, but at the end of the day, if fate had other ideas, your plans meant nothing at all.