One Wednesday morning in the middle of term, a new girl arrived at Zoe’s school. It was the most exciting thing that Zoe could remember happening for ages.

Ms Kyle knocked on the door during class. Mr Mack had to stop halfway through a sentence.

Everyone looked up from their books.

‘Don’t mind us,’ said Ms Kyle. ‘I’m just talking to Mr Mack about the new student.’

‘Wow! A new student,’ Zoe whispered to her best friend, Iris.

‘I know,’ said Iris. ‘And what perfect timing. Mr Mack was speaking way too fast for me to keep up. Quick – while he’s still talking to Ms Kyle – are there two g’s in exaggerated?’

‘Shh,’ said Zoe. ‘I’m trying to listen.’

But all around her the quiet whispers of the other kids were growing into loud mumblings. She couldn’t hear what Ms Kyle was saying at all.

‘Settle down,’ said Mr Mack, as Ms Kyle left. ‘All right, you all heard that a new girl is starting today. Her name is Isabelle Sinclair, and she will be joining us as soon as she’s finished buying her books and uniform at the office. I know you’ll all do your best to make her feel welcome.’

Definitely, thought Zoe. Iris and I will be her best friends.

‘Right, then,’ said Mr Mack. ‘Let’s get back to our dictation.’

Of course, it was impossible for Zoe to concentrate on her school work. Any minute now, Isabelle could walk through the door …

Zoe wondered what Isabelle would be like. Would she be musical like Iris, funny like Ching Ching, brainy like Holly or shy like Olivia?

When Zoe had finished her dictation, she started drawing little cartoons in the margin of her exercise book. She doodled all the different ways she thought Isabelle might look. Would she be tall or short? Would she have long hair, or –

‘Zoe!’ Iris nudged her sharply in the ribs.

Zoe looked up and saw Mr Mack looking at her pointedly.

‘Nice of you to rejoin us, Zoe,’ he said, dryly.

Zoe quickly sat up straight and covered her drawings with her hand.

‘Sorry, Mr Mack,’ she said.

Mr Mack was just about to say something else when there was a knock at the door. It was Ms Kyle again, followed by a girl in a new school jumper.

Isabelle!