The next day, I was eating lunch with Lauren when Ella came rushing up to me.

‘What’s the matter?’ I asked.

‘It’s Crystal. She asked me to go to her house.’ Poor Ella; she was clearly all stressed out again. ‘What did you say?’

‘I said I had to ask Mum, but she thought that was a yes.’

‘Why didn’t you just say no?’

Ella’s face crumpled. ‘I thought she’d ask me why and I didn’t know what I’d say.’

‘It’s all right; you can tell her that you’re busy.’

‘But she might ask me again another time.’

‘And you can say you’re busy that time too. She’ll get the message eventually.’

Ella twisted her hands. ‘That doesn’t seem very honest.’

‘It’s either that or tell her the truth.’

The colour drained from her face. ‘I suppose I could tell her I’m busy.’

I looked at my watch. Lunchtime was nearly over. ‘Listen, you’re walking home with me after your tutor captains’ meeting, aren’t you? We can talk about it then.’

She went off to her lesson, but it was clear she was going to worry all afternoon.

Rehearsal was fun. Whenever Mr Garcia got on a rant, Bartek waggled his eyebrows at me.

When Mr Garcia turned his attention to another soloist, Bartek leant over and said, ‘Today, in English, you were very good in the debate.’

‘Thanks. And thanks for voting for my team.’

‘You were the best. Some of the people were so quiet and they have nothing to say. You were very . . . powerful.’

I laughed. ‘So you’re saying I’m good at shouting? I’ve got four little sisters; I get a lot of practice.’

‘Really? I have three brothers! There is a lot of shouting at my house too. And when it’s time to eat it’s like this . . .’ He mimed rapidly stuffing his face, while keeping a protective arm round his plate. He looked like Chloe does when it’s pizza for tea.

I nodded. ‘If you can’t eat it fast, you don’t get to eat it.’

Then we had to do some more singing, but I thought next rehearsal I might ask Bartek about his brothers. And maybe work my way round to Olivia’s party.

When Mr Garcia dismissed us, Ella was waiting for me outside the hall. Her face was flushed.

‘Crystal was at the meeting!’ she said. ‘Her class tutor captain is off sick so she came instead.’

‘Did you tell her you can’t come to her house?’

‘I was going to, but I didn’t. I hardly said anything to her and now she thinks I’m being weird.’

I could only imagine that Ella’s behaviour probably did seem pretty weird.

Ella grabbed my arm. She was staring hard at a girl at the other end of the corridor.

‘Is that her?’ I asked.

‘Yes.’

‘Why don’t you speak to her now?’

Ella was still clutching my elbow. ‘I can’t.’

‘OK. You don’t have to.’

‘But I should.’ She nodded her head decisively. ‘I’m going to do it.’

I squeezed her hand. Ella is pretty cool and she’s much braver than she thinks she is. If I was as afraid of things as Ella is, I don’t think I’d leave the house.

‘Hey, Crystal!’ Ella called and she rushed up the corridor to speak to her. I followed more slowly.

‘Hi, Ella,’ Crystal said. She sounded friendly enough, but I decided to hang back by the noticeboard and listen to how things went.

‘Can I talk to you about something?’ Ella asked.

‘What is it?’ Crystal asked.

‘I . . .’ Ella faltered. ‘I don’t think I want to come to your house any more.’

There was a pause. ‘What’s wrong with my house?’

‘Nothing! It’s just . . . I feel uncomfortable about the way you speak to your mum.’

‘What are you talking about? What about my mum?’

I tensed. If Crystal was going to get nasty then I was definitely going to interrupt.

‘I don’t think you’re very . . . kind to her,’ Ella said quietly.

Crystal sucked in her breath. ‘That’s rubbish. I’m not horrible to my mum. Anyway, who do you think you are? How I speak to her is none of your business.’

‘I know.’

‘I can do what I like.’

‘I know.’

‘Maybe I don’t like the way you talk. You can’t stop me thinking what I think.’

‘That’s true, but I think it’s really important to be nice. And I know that’s not important to some people, but it is to me, so I’m just saying that I don’t think I want to be friends with someone who’s rude to people.’

‘It was fine when you were laughing at everyone I was saying funny things about.’

‘I never laughed at that; I don’t think hurt feelings are funny.’

I was sure that was true and Crystal must have known it too because she said, ‘Yeah, well, plenty of my friends think it is funny, so I don’t need to hang out with a boring geek like you.’

Ella didn’t reply.

‘What’s the matter?’ Crystal sneered. ‘Bet you’ve got some rude things to say about me now.’

‘I don’t want to start a fight.’ Ella’s voice trembled. ‘I really liked playing hockey with you. I think you’re fun and you’re really nice when you like people. I just don’t feel comfortable when you’re rude.’

‘But I’m not rude to you! Or any of my mates. I’m not rude to anyone who matters.’

‘I think everyone matters.’

‘Then you’re dumb!’ Crystal snapped and she walked off.

I rushed over to Ella. ‘Are you OK?’

Her face was white and her eyes were watery. She nodded, but she couldn’t speak. I put my arm round her and she took some deep breaths.

‘She said I’m dumb,’ Ella said. ‘Do you think she’s right? Do you think it’s stupid to fall out with someone because of how they talk to the lady in the cinema?’

‘No, you’re absolutely right to care about the way people treat each other. I’m certain that you’re definitely right.’ I looked at Crystal slamming through the double doors. ‘And you know what? I think Crystal knows it too.’