Suzy P, Forever Me

by Karen Saunders

  Mmm, spaghetti hoops and avocado. Excuse me while I chunder.

  “Amber, you need to eat properly,” Mum says. “Stop these ridiculous diets. You need to eat well now you’ve got the girls to look after.”

  “But I’m still trying to lose my baby weight,” Amber protests.

  Mum shakes her head. “You’re not fat. Don’t be ridiculous. It’ll come off when it’s good and ready. Nine months to go on, nine months to come off.”

  “Is this really all we’re having?” Dad says. Mum gives him a glare.

  We finish our food in about two mouthfuls. Mum eats hers a hoop at a time, trying to eke out the meal, but even she finishes in under a minute. And she’s holding a sleeping Uni so she’s doing it one-handed.

  “Pudding?” Amber asks.

  “There’s pudding?” Dad asks, cheering right up.

  His face falls when Mark returns to the table with a Curly Wurly broken into small pieces.

  “There’s only five bits,” Harry says. Opposite me, I can see her secretly filming everything.

  “I’m not having any,” Amber says, popping a chunk of banana into her mouth.

  This is the most hilarious dinner in the history of the world ever. Who seriously serves spaghetti hoops and Curly Wurly?

  “Don’t you have any other food in?” Mum asks. “Nothing at all? Mark’s not on the banana diet, is he?”

  Amber’s eyes fill with tears. “The babies have been crying all the time… and I tried to go out today but then one pooed and then they needed feeding and then they pooed again and then we all fell asleep.”

  “They haven’t been sleeping very well,” Mark adds. “Uni always used to be pretty good, but they’re waking each other up all the time at the moment. This week has been awful.”

  “Right, that’s it,” Mum says. “I knew I should have been helping more.”

  “I can do it,” Amber protests.

  “Of course you can,” Mum agrees. “But I can still give you a hand. Now, first thing tomorrow I’m going to go to the shops to pick up some shopping and then I’m coming to help you unpack your things and sort the house out a bit. I’d also like you to think about making an appointment with the doctor, to go in and chat things over.”

  “But…” Amber starts to protest, but Mark cuts in.

  “That would be great. Thank you. Ambypamby, you need a hand while I’m at work. You’re the best mummy in the world, but we need to eat properly. And I can’t keep knocking over the boxes all the time. What if one falls and crushes one of our princesses?”

  Amber looks horrified.

  “Okay, Mum. If you don’t mind coming that would be great. Thank you.”

  “I’ll see you tomorrow then,” Mum says. She nods decisively and pops her piece of chocolate into her mouth.

  We’re all so starving we go via the drive-thru on the way home.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

  As I walk through the school gates, I’m thinking hard. I’ve been thinking a lot lately. About how this is all a complete mess and I can’t see any way out of it. We’ve got nothing organised – no props, no band, nothing that even vaguely resembles a party. Rumours have even started circulating since the leafleting that the party’s not going ahead. Mrs Morgan said she’d help us, but I haven’t heard anything from her for days.

  I think we’re almost at the point where we’re going to have to confess that The Drifting won’t be coming. We tried. We tried so flipping hard, harder than I’ve ever tried at anything else in my life before, but we failed.

  Because after emails, Facebook messages, phone calls and even a try at a face-to-face meeting, all attempted contact with The Drifting has amounted to nothing.

  And as if that wasn’t bad enough, Jamie told us this morning that there was a note left out on the breakfast bar reminding his mum to call the estate agent back in London about a property. It looks like there’s a very real chance he could be leaving Collinsbrooke. Millie’s a mess.

  “Uh, Suzy?”

  I’m snapped out of my daydream of gloom by April the Goth. To be honest, she’s one of the last people I want to see right now. I’ve been trying to keep a low profile from the other committee members.

  “Hi,” I say weakly.

  “Um, I saw those flyers,” April says.

  Is that why she’s stopped me, to tell me that? Because let’s be honest, who didn’t?

  “It was Jade and Kara, right?” April goes on. “My friends heard it from some other kids.”

  I shrug. I’m not going to start snitching. Everyone know – it’s not like I have to start blabbing.

  “They’re just so horrible,” April says. “I feel so bad for what they did to you. You’ve been trying your best. They’re only jealous because you said that you could get The Drifting to the school and beat their idea.”

  Yeah, yeah, I think, wondering how fast I can escape. Although I know April means well.

  “Everyone’s been seriously impressed with how you’ve handled things,” April continues. “I’d have never come back to school again if they’d done that to me.”

  “Thanks,” I say, smiling weakly.

  “I wanted to quickly talk to you about something,” April says. “I know there’s been problems with the budgets and stuff, and we don’t have much to spend on the party. I don’t know if you know my friend Louisa?”

  I rack my brains and eventually realise who she’s talking about. Louisa is so shy she’s practically invisible. She’s not in any of my classes, but I have seen her with April a few times.

  “Er, yeah, I think so,” I say. I still don’t have a clue what Louisa’s got to do with me. Or with Jade and Kara.

  “Her mum’s a set designer,” April goes on. “A good one. She’s worked in the theatres for ages, proper stuff, like in the West End. Lou told her mum what’s been going on, and how nasty Jade and Kara have been to you, and Lou’s mum wondered if you wanted to borrow four thrones. You know, for the judges to sit on?”

  I can hardly believe what I’m hearing.

  “Are you serious?” I ask.

  Okay, so it’s only four fancy chairs, but it’s a start. One less thing to worry about.

  April nods.

  “That would be amazing!” I say. “Thank you so, so much. I can’t wait to tell Millie.”

  “No problem,” April says. “And my dad said he’d still donate that tablet from his shop, you can use it for the raffle, or for a prize for the best act.”

  “You’re kidding?” I stare at her in delight. This gets better and better!

  “No problem,” Amber says. “I’m really sorry for not doing more, we all are. Jade and Kara kind of made it clear we weren’t allowed to help you guys and there’d be trouble if we did.”

  “They what?”

  April shrugs apologetically. I should be more shocked, but to be honest, I wouldn’t put anything past those two.

  “We should have all stood up to them earlier. But better late than never, right? We’re going to work together to make this party unbelievable. I’ve spoken to the others – Ryan, Zach and Max were being rubbish but Sophie and Eve are in. I’ll have a chat to you at the next meeting about what you want and let Lou’s mum know,” April says.

  Well, that’s good news at least. At least now the room will have something in it.

  To my surprise, that’s just the start. Everywhere I go, people are stopping me. Seems everyone’s heard the rumours that Jade and Kara were behind the flyers, and also that they were blackmailing people not to help out with the party planning. Some want to say how sorry they are about it all, but others are offering great things for the party. Loads of people are volunteering to do the judging. Someone else has said their cousin will come and DJ for us after the singing competition. And lots of people know businesses that can donate more amazing prizes for the raffle.

  To my amazement, all of a sudden it’s looking like the party might not be a total disaster after all.

  Seems that Jade and Kara
have peed off a lot of people, and now everyone’s had enough. Especially when it looks like they’re putting the party that everyone’s been looking forward to so much at risk.

  So at long, long last, things don’t seem so doom-laden. Except for the part about The Drifting, of course. That’s still a nightmare. But the rest of the stuff seems to be coming together really well. And maybe – just maybe – we’ll be able to have a good party without The Drifting. If only we could brainwash everyone and make them forget they were ever supposed to be coming.

  “Emergency meeting!” Millie says, grabbing my arm.

  “What?”

  “Mrs Morgan’s called an emergency meeting,” she says.

  * * *

  “Right then,” Mrs Morgan says when we’re all there, staring around the table with a steely look. Even Jade and Kara look a bit alarmed. “It’s clear that I’ve taken my eye off the ball regarding this party, but as we haven’t got much time left, that’s all going to change. Suzy has been working very hard to manage and organise things for us –”

  There’s a snort from Kara and Jade’s end of the table.

  “And it’s become clear to me that she’s been working under very difficult circumstances and without the support of a lot of you,” Mrs Morgan says firmly. “All of this is going to change. As I’m sure you’re aware, Suzy has been the victim of a very nasty slander campaign. While we’re yet to track down the perpetrators, I want us all to start pulling together to make this party the best it can be. Now, Suzy. Could you give us an update into what’s happening, please?”

  For the first time since this whole sorry mess started, I don’t feel like I want to be sick when I start talking through the party arrangements. As of today, we’ve now got music backing tracks, a DJ, thrones and a caterer.

  “That all sounds wonderful,” Mrs Morgan says, nodding.

  “How’s the stage coming on?” I ask Jamie and Danny.

  “Um, well, there’s still a bit left to do, painting and stuff,” Danny mumbles.

  “But it will be finished for the party, won’t it?” says Millie, eyeballing them fiercely.

  “Yup,” Jamie says hastily. He knows better than to say anything else.

  “Jade and Kara have been sorting the decorations,” I say.

  “And how’s that going?” Mrs Morgan asks.

  “All fine,” Jade says. “Nothing to worry about.”

  Let’s hope they’re telling the truth. Somehow I doubt it.

  “Can we get a bit more detail than that?” Mrs Morgan presses. “What are the decorations going to be?”

  “It’s going to look great and it’s all under control. All in keeping with the music theme. My mum’s on the PTA, she knows what’s going on,” Jade says breezily. “It’ll all be sorted for the party and we’ll get there early to get the room looking fantastic. Don’t worry about a thing.”

  “Right, okay,” Mrs Morgan says, although she sounds unsure.

  “Um, we still need to get some costumes for people to wear for when they’re performing,” I say nervously. “We’ve been struggling to get anyone to lend them to us.”

  Mrs Morgan taps a pen against her teeth thoughtfully. “I haven’t heard back from my friend yet, but I’ll keep chasing. Apart from that, it sounds to me like everything is coming together brilliantly. I know we haven’t discussed The Drifting’s attendance, but I get the impression Millie and Suzy are handling that and it’s all under control. Give me a call if you need anything, girls, okay? I’m really looking forward to seeing them.”

  Oh yes. The Drifting.

  The sick feeling returns to my stomach. Because it doesn’t matter how great the rest of the party is, The Drifting is what everyone really wants.

  And they’re not going to be there.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

  Lack of The Drifting apart, it’s actually looking like we’ve got a pretty decent event lined up at the school now. I still don’t want to be there for it, because I’m pretty sure I’ll be lynched when the band don’t show, but hopefully people will be slightly less angry than they would have been with no band and an entirely rubbish party.

  There’s so much still to do, and not forgetting Dad’s birthday party as well. I’m about to get cracking with some of my to-do list when Isabella’s Skype avatar starts flashing and bleeping on the PC screen.

  I can’t avoid her forever. I hit the video answer button, and arrange my features into a smile.

  “Whoa, what’s up?” Isabella asks.

  “What do you mean?”

  “Something’s going on with your face,” she says. “You look like you haven’t slept in forever.”

  “Wow. Thanks.”

  Isabella’s not exactly known for her tact. If something’s on her mind, she doesn’t have a filter to stop it coming out of her mouth. She starts laughing. “Noooo, I didn’t mean it like that. I just mean… what’s up?”

  I sigh heavily.

  “C’mon, spill,” Isabella says.

  So I start to explain to Isabella what’s been going on. About how nasty Jade and Kara have been, and how I opened my mouth and said things I shouldn’t have, and made promises I couldn’t keep, and how everything’s gone all sorts of wrong and even though everyone’s started pulling through for me, it’s still not going to be what they’re expecting. There’s hardly any time left now until the party and I’m going to have to show up and face the music and endure eternal humiliation and I’ll probably get booted out of school for lying to the teachers.

  Isabella listens carefully, interjecting with the occasional ‘uh huh’ or ‘wow’.

  “So, that’s what’s been going on,” I conclude, miserably.

  Isabella looks thoughtful.

  “Say something!”

  “You know, you can’t let Kara and Jade win,” Isabella says. “Especially with all your history. They want you to be freaking out and feeling horrible, but it sounds like you’ve arranged a really amazing party for everyone. Okay, so it’s not going to be as good as if The Drifting were there but people can’t really be expecting them to come, can they?”

  I shrug.

  “I don’t even want to go to the party,” I say. “I’m going to give it a miss.”

  “You have to go,” Isabella says firmly. “I mean it. No matter what happens you can’t give Jade and Kara the satisfaction.”

  “I don’t have anything to wear, and everyone will be horrible.”

  “They might not,” Isabella says. “And I bet Millie’s got something you could borrow. Or Amber. Look, the party might not be as bad as you think. Promise me you’ll go. Promise me you won’t let those bullies win.”

  I stare at her.

  “Promise,” Isabella says. “You’re better than this. Your party sounds fantastic!”

  “Okay, I promise,” I say. I figure Isabella won’t know what I end up deciding to do anyway.

  “Good. It does sound like it’s been a complete nightmare, I – hang on, Mum’s calling me. Yeah?” she shouts over her shoulder.

  Behind Isabella I see her bedroom door open and Caro walks in.

  “Sorry, sweetie, are you on Skype? Didn’t realise. We need to leave in five minutes, okay? Is that Suzy you’re talking to? Hi, Suze! All okay with you guys? Your mum well?”

  “Yep, we’re all good,” I say.

  “I’m sorry, I’ve got to go,” Isabella says, as Caro leaves the room. “But I’ll give you a shout if I come up with anything that might be helpful, yeah? Don’t give up. The answer’s out there somewhere, you’ve just got to find it.”

  “Thanks.” I smile weakly, and then Isabella’s gone.

  I collapse face forward onto the keyboard.

  “Hey, careful!” Mum says from behind me.

  I sit up, pushing my hair back from my face.

  “Everything all right?”

  “Yeah,” I lie.

  “Good. Just be careful with the PC please. We can’t afford a new one. You’ll never guess what I’ve found
for your dad’s party,” Mum says. “A photo booth! You hire them and they have silly props to wear, and people get their photos taken in them. It’ll be brilliant!”

  “I thought we were doing this party on a budget, Mum?” I say.

  Mum flaps her hand around. “Ooh, shhh. It’ll be fine. It wasn’t expensive.” She hesitates. “Well, not that expensive. And it’ll pay for itself.”

  “How?”

  “Because you can’t put a price on people having a good time,” Mum says firmly. “Now, your dad and I are popping out for a bit. We’re going to a show at Aunt Lou’s home; they’re performing songs from the wartime years.”

  I snigger. “I bet Dad’s delighted.”

  “He’s not exactly overjoyed, true,” Mum says. “But singing is good for you. Lowers the blood pressure and has all sorts of other health benefits. He’ll enjoy it once he gets there.”

  Somehow I doubt it. Especially because Aunt Loon’s best friend Margy has taken a real fancy to Dad. She gets dead flirty whenever he’s around, keeps stroking his arm and winking. Mum finds it absolutely hilarious. Dad… well, not so much.

  “You can come along if you like,” Mum offers.

  “No thanks, I’m good. Are you taking Harry?”

  “She’s got a science project to finish. She’s under strict orders not to leave her room until it’s done.”

  That means I sort of get the house to myself. What a result.

  It’ll give me a chance to go through some of the outstanding jobs I’ve got to do for the parties, and catch up on homework. I’m way behind.

  I’m halfway down the stairs when the doorbell rings.

  Ugh. Who’s that?

  “Surprise!” says Danny.

  “I’m confused,” I say. “What are you doing here?”

  “Surprising you,” Danny says. “Are you going to invite me in, or what?”

  “Uh, yeah,” I say, standing aside. “We didn’t have plans, did we?”

  Danny leans forward to give me a kiss. “I thought you could use a night of distraction,” he says. “So I brought snacks – crisps, with dip, and the biggest bag of chocolates they had in the shop, plus a movie.”