I got to pick the film, but Freya insisted on buying the tickets herself.

“Did you see what happened to Anu?” she asked as we stood in line for popcorn.

“Yeah,” I said. “I felt sorry for her.”

“Cal!” Freya said. “You can’t save everyone.”

Mr Ahmed had acted fast. Anu was excluded, and her best friend Maddie moved schools. Anu’s dad arrived to take her home just as the bell rang. It felt like the whole school was there to witness it, and I couldn’t help cringing. It must have felt so humiliating for her.

Anu had kept her head down, as her dad told her again and again how stupid she was and how she was an embarrassment to her family. I was one of the few pupils who didn’t laugh. I stood and watched, and at last I understood why Anu was such a bully. She’d had a good teacher.

“Sweet or salty?” Freya asked. She pointed at the popcorn.

“You decide,” I told her. “You always do, anyway.”

Myles Granger was permanently excluded too, along with two of his gang. No one missed them – they were the meanest bullies in school. After they left, life got a lot easier for everyone.

“Sweet, please,” Freya said, just like she always did.

“I wish Jacob was here too,” I said.

“What are the chances of that?” Freya said with a shrug, and then she sauntered off to get pick ’n’ mix.

We’d tried to win Jacob a reprieve, but it didn’t work. Mr Ahmed still kicked him out. But Jacob was lucky in other ways. The police decided not to press charges, especially after so many pupils told on Myles and his gang.

We’d all promised to stay in touch, but Christmas had come and gone, and we hadn’t seen him. We’d done a few shifts at the food bank and Mum had called Janice a few times, but they were always busy. Jacob had moved on, and it bothered me. He was a real friend and I missed him.

“Some idiot just stood on my foot,” I heard Freya say.

“Huh?”

“Over by the foam bananas,” she said. “I need my Batman.”

I didn’t know what she expected me to do, but I followed her to the pick ’n’ mix.

“Awright, Batman,” a voice said.

“Jacob!”

He looked different. His hair was longer, and he seemed relaxed, almost happy. Freya nudged me and started giggling.

“Did you two set me up?” I asked.

“Yeah!” they said together.

“We made a pact, remember?” Jacob said. “Just cos I’m at a new school, it doesn’t mean I’ve forgotten my geek squad. Not after what you did for me.”

“We’d better get another ticket,” I said.

“No need,” Freya said. “I bought three. Me in the middle, and my two best mates either side. Come on!”

I looked at Jacob.

“You OK?” I asked. “Like, really …?”

“Yeah,” he said. “Now come on, Bats – your girlfriend’s waiting.”