Later, when I tell Mum that Dave’s coming home for good, and that he’ll be back as soon as his shift’s over, she staggers towards the kitchen table, flops down on a chair and begins to howl into her hands. Not the reaction I’d expected.
“Thank God,” she says after a few minutes, her voice still rough and hiccupy from the crying. Her nose is running and her eyes are pink and puffy. “What a relief.” She brushes away her tears with the sleeve of her dressing gown. Then she stands up and gives me a hug, getting snot all over my T-shirt, but I don’t mind.
“Amy, I don’t know what you said to him, but thank you. You’re amazing.”
She’s making me a bit nervous. “Can I go over to Clover’s now? She’s waiting for me.”
“Of course. But can you mind the babies for a few minutes first? I think I’d better take a shower.”
After I’ve filled Clover in, she rubs her hands together and says, “Excellent! Now, let’s get back to business. I need some help with this kissing email… Poor girl’s worried about teeth clashing, but it’s perfectly normal. Happens all the time.” She looks up at me, a glint in her eye. “Tell me exactly what you need to know, Samantha.”
“Clover!” I blush. “It’s not me.”
“Course it’s not, Beanie. But who else would give me an idea for an article, complete with a perfect title?”
I smile and listen to her intently as she gives me step-by-step instructions. After all, my summer break has begun. Three months of freedom – hurrah for long Irish school holidays! Mills is my best friend again, Dave’s back to do the bins, and I have a fab boyfriend. With a bit of luck I might get to try out Clover’s advice any day now. Things are looking up!
PS I passed all my exams.
PPS I got an A in maths. The only bad comment on my report card was from Mr Olen: “If Amy spent as much time drawing as she does talking to a certain male class member, she’d be a future Leonardo da Vinci.”