Mollie Cinnamon Is Not a Cupcake

by Sarah Webb

  Have to dash. Love you. XXX

  Flora’s not taking me to Paris. She’s off having a brilliant time while I’m stuck here with Nan for two whole months. It’s so unfair. Now I feel even worse. Lauren’s right − nobody wants me.

  I’m too upset to email Flora back so I ring Shannon, but there’s no reply. Then I remember that she has hockey training on a Monday night. She’s sent me a couple of “Miss you already” and “Wish you were here” text messages over the last few days, but it’s not the same as talking to her.

  There’s a knock on the door. “Mollie, can I come in? I have some dessert for you.” Nan walks in before I have a chance to answer. She puts a bowl down on the desk. Inside is apple crumble and it smells delicious. There’s even a big dollop of whipped cream on top.

  “Is there anything from Flora yet?”

  “You were right − she’s not coming for me. She’s so disappointed, though. She really wanted to see Paris with me. I know she’s missing me loads. She’s kind of useless without me, actually. Always losing things and being late for appointments. I’m like her best friend.” My voice breaks on the last word.

  “I’m sure she misses you dreadfully, pet. I’m sorry. I know you must be sad about not going to Paris.” She pats my arm. “I’m just going outside to feed the worms before it gets too dark, but you eat your dessert and after that I’ll make you a nice mug of hot chocolate. How does that sound?”

  “Worms? You keep pet worms?”

  “I guess I do. I have a wormery in the garden full of tiger worms. Hungry fellows they are. They eat all kinds of kitchen waste: apple cores, potato peel − things like that. Hair and nail clippings too – anything organic.”

  “How big are they?”

  “Huge, much larger than normal worms. Do you want to see them?”

  Normally I’d go, “Euw, disgusting, no way,” but instead I say, “Yeah, OK.” Let’s face it, I don’t exactly have anything else to do. How sad is that? Then I remember what Lauren said earlier.

  “They called me Worm Head today,” I say. “They said my hair was like worms.” Saying it out loud makes me feel all small and alone again.

  “Who did?” Nan asks sharply.

  I shrug. “Some of the girls at school.”

  Nan goes quiet for a moment. “Girls can be awfully mean sometimes. You have McCarthy hair, just like Red Moll’s, and you should be proud of it. Pay no attention and hold your head up high. Don’t let silly girls like that get to you.”

  “OK.” Funnily enough, I feel a tiny bit better. Nan’s right – Red Moll wouldn’t be scared of the likes of Lauren Cotter. From now on I’m going to be like Red Moll and stick up for myself.

  Chapter 8

  On Tuesday morning I decide to walk down to the ferry alone. At least that way Lauren and Chloe can’t laugh about Nan fussing over me and calling me “child”.

  “It’s only down the road,” I tell Nan.

  “You have a point. And I guess you’d like to walk home on your own too?”

  “Yes!”

  “In that case I’ll see you later.”

  “Bye, Nan.” I rush towards the lane in case she changes her mind about joining me.

  “You’ve forgotten your jacket, Mollie,” she calls after me.

  “I have a hoodie on.”

  I hear her mutter something about me catching my death, but I keep walking. When I reach the harbour, I spot Landy ahead of me, boarding the ferry, but there’s no sign of Lauren and Chloe, or Bonny. I guess they make a habit of being late. There are white tips on the waves in the bay and the ferry is pulling on its ropes − like a dog on its lead, dying to be walked.

  The captain’s standing at the back of the ferry and as I board carefully, clasping the railing when I step onto the bucking deck, she smiles at me. “Morning, Mollie. How are you today? We haven’t been introduced yet. I’m Mattie Finn.”

  “Hi.” I don’t ask how she knows my name. I’m getting used to everyone on the island knowing who I am. She offers me a hand to steady me, but I don’t take it. I’ll manage on my own, even if I do stumble a little.

  “The sea’s a bit choppy today, I’m afraid,” she says. “Be careful.”

  I manage to get down the three steps and safely into the cabin. Landy’s already there, sprawled in a seat, his long legs sticking out in front of him. “You’ll need your sea legs today,” he says.

  I have no idea what he’s talking about so I just nod at him and say, “Hi.”

  I hear Lauren before I see her.

  “It’s too windy for the ferry, Mattie,” she moans. “We should get a day off.”

  “I’ll be the judge of that, Lauren,” Mattie tells her. “It’s due to blow out later and stay calm for days. You’re in luck. I think you’ll make it to school every day this week.”

  “Great!” Lauren mutters. She spots me as she comes into the cabin. “Look, it’s Wormie.”

  “Leave her alone, Lauren,” Bonny says, her voice wavering a little and her face turning bright red. She looks scared but determined. I can’t believe she’s sticking up for me after I poked my tongue out at her yesterday. I give her a grateful smile.

  “Have you gone crazy, Bonny?” Lauren says. “She thinks the island is a boring old dump.” Her eyes narrow. “And guess what she told me in French class?”

  “What?” Bonny asks.

  What is Lauren talking about? I had to sit beside her in French class, worse luck, but I didn’t say a word to her about anything, especially not Bonny. But the truth doesn’t seem to matter to Lauren.

  “We had a great old chat, in fact,” she says. “Nan had told her about your dad running off with that Swedish tourist, Bonny. That’s the only reason she’s being nice to you – she feels sorry for you.”

  Bonny’s face goes white and she looks like she’s about to cry.

  “Liar!” I say. “Nan didn’t say anything about your dad, Bonny. I swear.”

  But Lauren is on a roll. “Come on, Wormie, you even told me about your own dad running off to Boston.”

  I stare at her, my mouth open. How can she make up such whoppers? She’s despicable.

  “I didn’t tell her that either,” I say to Bonny. “She’s making it all up.” I look at Lauren. “And it’s completely different. My dad didn’t run off to Boston, Lauren. He’s from Boston. He was only in Dublin on holidays. It all happened before I was born, obviously, so it didn’t have anything to do with me.”

  As soon as the words are out of my mouth, I know I’ve made it sound worse − as if in some way it was Bonny’s fault that her dad left. Bonny looks hurt. She turns away from me.

  “I’m sorry, Bonny. That came out wrong,” I say.

  “It’s fine,” Bonny murmurs, her eyes not meeting mine.

  I swallow, feeling desperate. What can I say to make her believe me? “Tell her,” I urge Lauren. “Go on − admit you made all that up.”

  Lauren just rolls her eyes at me. “You’re going to have to face it, Wormie. No one likes you. Not even Bonny, and she likes everyone.”

  I struggle through the morning lessons feeling sad and lonely. I hate Lauren. She’s such a liar. And poor Bonny. I can’t believe her dad ran off like that. It must have been terrible.

  After lunch we have science with Miss McKennedy. We have to go outside to take more soil samples – yawn. I lag behind the class, willing this horrible day to be over.

  Lauren drops back to join me. “You think you’re better than everyone, don’t you, Wormie? The cool Dublin girl with the cool clothes and the cool mum on the telly. Funny, isn’t it, that your mum presents a travel show? She can’t be very bright, getting Norway and Italy muddled up like that. She’ll probably get lost.” She makes her voice all giggly and breathless. “Ooh, I’m in Paris. Look at the lovely Eiffel Tower. Oopsy! Sorry, it’s actually the Spire in Dublin. Silly me.”

  “My mum is filming in Sydney right now,” I say angrily. “And she managed to get there just fine. Keep your mouth shut in fut
ure. And stop calling me Wormie.”

  “Or what?” Lauren shoves me backwards, hard. I grab at her to stop myself from falling, but instead I manage to pull her down with me. I land on my bum, but she lands on her side and her cheek hits the ground. She gives an almighty wail.

  “Miss! Miss! Mollie pushed me!” she yells. “I think she’s broken my cheekbone. It hurts. Ow! Ow! Ow!”

  “You pushed me,” I say. “You’re such a big fat liar.”

  Miss McKennedy is standing in front of us, her face purple with rage. “What on earth is going on? Get up, both of you.”

  Everyone is staring at me like I’m some sort of alien.

  “She pushed me, Miss,” Lauren wails. “I think I’m bleeding.”

  Miss McKennedy studies Lauren’s cheek. It’s flaming red, but there’s no blood. “You’re not bleeding, Lauren,” she says. “Please stop wailing. Chloe, take Lauren to see the school nurse for an ice pack. Mollie Cinnamon, I’m taking you straight to the head’s office, young lady. And I don’t want to hear a peep out of you until we get there. Understand? Violence will not be tolerated at Bethlehem Heights.”

  “But that’s so unfair, Miss,” I protest. “Lauren started it. She said things about my mum and then she pushed me!”

  “Not another word, Mollie. I mean it.”

  Miss McKennedy marches me up the corridor, holding me by the arm. She has quite a grip. I can’t believe I’m the one in trouble. This is all so wrong. Lauren’s the biggest liar ever. She should be here, not me.

  Miss McKennedy and the head teacher, Mrs Joseph, talk for a few minutes while I sit outside the office, my heart pounding. The school secretary gives me a few stern looks but otherwise ignores me.

  Then the door opens and Mrs Joseph says, “Mollie, into my office, please.”

  My hands are shaking with nerves and my breath is catching in my throat. I feel like everything is brighter, louder, more intense. Mrs Joseph dismisses Miss McKennedy and shuts the door behind us, indicating where I should sit.

  Mrs Joseph is wearing a red wrap dress, glasses with thick black frames and a frown you could plant potatoes in. She sits down behind a large mahogany desk, leans her elbows on the top and folds her hands together.

  “This is a very bad start to your time at Bethlehem Heights, Mollie,” she says. “Your great-grandmother will be very disappointed in you. I know girls can often say unkind things to each other, but you must come and tell us if that happens, not take matters into your own hands. We don’t tolerate any kind of physical violence or bullying here.”

  Me? I’m not the bully! Before I can stop myself, I give a shocked laugh.

  “Wipe that smile off your face, Mollie Cinnamon,” she snaps. “This is no laughing matter. I’ve phoned the nurse and she says Lauren will be fine, but her cheek is badly bruised. Count yourself lucky you didn’t give her concussion or worse. Now, this is something we must take very seriously indeed. Do you have anything to say for yourself?”

  I sit there, my mind racing. I could try to explain what really happened, but no one’s going to believe me.

  When I don’t respond, she goes on, “Why did you push Lauren? Did she say something to you?”

  Lauren is such a good liar she’s managed to turn everyone against me, even Bonny. No one will believe anything I say. I’ve had enough of Lauren and everyone at Bethlehem Heights, so I simply say, “I don’t know.”

  Mrs Joseph looks at me for a second, then sighs and shakes her head. “I’m sorry, Mollie, but in that case I have no choice. You’re suspended.”

  Chapter 9

  I get the early ferry back to the island, which is a relief. Before I left school, I talked to Nan briefly on the phone and she sounded shocked and upset.

  “We’ll go over this properly when you get home,” she said. “I’ve spoken to Mrs Joseph and we’ve agreed that a week’s suspension is appropriate. And obviously you’ll have to apologize to Lauren.”

  During the whole journey back, I feel like a rubber band that’s been stretched and stretched to the limit. It’s so unfair because I’m not a bully! This is all Lauren’s fault.

  When we reach Little Bird, Nan is waiting for me at the harbour wall. Her face is rigid, like stone. I feel sick. Maybe she’ll send me away. And if Flora can’t come back for me, what will happen? Will I have to stay in a children’s home or with a foster family or something?

  Once again I linger in the cabin until everyone else has got off.

  “You all right, Mollie?” Mattie asks, sticking her head through the doorway. “Time to get off now.”

  I press my lips together and nod. But I’m not all right at all.

  Mattie lowers her voice. “I’ve heard what Lauren’s been saying to you on the ferry and it’s not right. I’m not surprised you snapped.” I must look confused because she adds, “I didn’t like to say anything when you got on the ferry, but I’m afraid everyone knows about what happened at school. Lauren rang her mum from the nurse’s office and news spreads fast on the island.” She smiles at me reassuringly. “Not everyone is taken in by Lauren Cotter. Just tell Nan the truth.”

  My stomach is turning nervous somersaults as I step off the ferry and walk towards Nan. But when I reach her, she just sighs.

  “Oh, Mollie, what am I going to do with you?” she says. “I need a strong coffee. Let’s grab a drink at Alanna’s before we head home and sort out all this mess.”

  “OK,” I reply. Delaying things sounds like a good idea.

  “Hi, Nan. Hi, Mollie,” Alanna greets us as we walk into the cafe. “What can I get you both? Your usual?”

  Nan nods. “Thanks, Alanna.”

  I can tell Alanna knows about the Lauren incident from the gentle smile she gives me. Mattie was right – news travels fast on Little Bird. My eyes start to sting with tears. Everyone must think I’m a terrible person. And I still can’t believe Lauren said such horrible things about Flora. I know Flora can be a bit ditzy sometimes, but she’s my mum. And she’s funny and smart in her own way. She’s also brilliant with people. “Flora, you could charm the bees.” That’s what Granny Ellen always told her.

  “Don’t look so frightened, child. I’m not going to eat you,” Nan says. “I want you to tell me exactly what Lauren has been up to. I know a lot of people think that butter wouldn’t melt in that girl’s mouth, but I’m certainly not one of them and neither is Alanna. Mrs Joseph told me Lauren’s side of the story. Now I want to hear your side.”

  “You’re not sending me away?”

  “Of course not! Is that what you’ve been thinking? Mollie, we’re family, and family sticks together. No matter how near your cloak is, your flesh is always nearer.”

  Granny Ellen used to say that too. She said it was one of Red Moll’s expressions. I’m so relieved that hot tears start to roll down my cheeks. I wipe them away, embarrassed. I hate people seeing me cry.

  “Lauren was saying horrible things about Flora,” I say in a rush. “I told her to stop and she pushed me. I grabbed her to stop myself falling and pulled her down too. And then she lied to everyone about what had happened. It wasn’t my fault, you have to believe me.”

  “I do believe you, child. Come here.” Nan gives me a big hug. And for the first time, I let her hold me, although I don’t hug her back. She smells of baking and flowery perfume. It reminds me of Granny Ellen. It’s like coming home.

  “Lauren’s the one who was nasty about your hair, isn’t she?” Nan asks after a moment.

  “Yes. And she said you didn’t want me here. That no one wants me.”

  “Well, she couldn’t be more wrong about that. I love you, Mollie. Of course I want you here.” Nan pulls back a bit and looks at me. “From now on, if Lauren says anything unkind, come straight to me. Understand? I’d like to give her a piece of my mind. Her mother too.”

  “Don’t, Nan, please. I can look after myself.”

  “You’re just like my Ellen, and Red Moll before her, trying to battle the whole world by yourse
lf. You don’t have to fight alone, Mollie. Even Red Moll had supporters. We may not be a whole army, but you have me, and Alanna too. Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Lauren can tell all the lies she wants,” Nan says. “We’re on your side, no matter what.” She pulls me towards her again and squeezes me tight. This time I hug her back.

  “Do I have to go back to that school?” I ask once I’ve pulled away. “Lauren’s turned everyone against me and I don’t have any friends. Even Bonny hates me. Can’t I stay here with you instead?”

  Nan brushes a curl off my face. “And do what, child?”

  “My schoolwork. I have most of my textbooks with me. I could do essays and stuff until Flora’s back.”

  Nan thinks for a second. “I suppose it might work. Let me talk to your school in Dublin and see what they think. And I’ll need to discuss it with your mum, of course.”

  “Thanks, Nan.” I’m starting to feel a little brighter. Nan really does want me with her after all.

  “And, Mollie, one last thing. I don’t care what Mrs Joseph said − there’s no way you’re apologizing to Lauren. Just keep out of her way, understand?”

  “Got it.” There’s no way I’m going anywhere near Lauren Cotter and her poisonous tongue ever again.

  Chapter 10

  The thing about not going to school is that routine goes out of the window. Personally I think that’s a good thing – routine is so boring – but Nan doesn’t see it that way. She’s not impressed with all my lie-ins. I’ve had no problem with bad dreams since Alanna gave me that herbal remedy. I’ve been putting a few drops on my pillow every night and sleeping like a baby.

  At ten on Thursday morning Nan marches into my room and whips open the curtains.

  “Wakey-wakey, sleepy head,” she says. “That’s quite enough lazing around for you.”

  I groan. “Go away, Nan. Just give me a few more minutes.”

  “That’s what you said at eight o’clock and again at nine. You had a day off yesterday and now it’s time to get moving. Hard work and good care take the head off bad luck.”