Million Dollar Mates

by Cathy Hopkins

  ‘Cool,’ said Pia. ‘I shall come flamenco-ed up.’

  ‘And best of all, Dad said that I can have the summerhouse at the bottom of the garden as a den. OK, so I’ll have to share it with Charlie, but he says he’s not too bothered as long as I let him hang out there for band practice occasionally when they’re not rehearsing at one of his mates’ houses. He prefers to play away from Porchester Park in case one of les residents complains about the noise.’

  ‘I thought your dad had bagged it.’

  ‘He had, but he says that it’s a waste of a good space because he’ll never get to use it. He’s going to move the sunloungers down into a storage room in the basement of the apartment block, so the posh shed is mine.’

  ‘Party on, my leetle Spanish chum,’ said Pia, and she did a quick burst of flamenco. ‘Olé!’

  The following weekend, Flo and Meg came over to help deck out the summerhouse and it was soon renamed the VIP lounge. Meg did a great sign to put on the door saying VIPs ONLY. I loved it. My own hospitality suite and I got to choose who was on the list.

  On the day of the party, I went out with Charlie to get some nibbles – crisps and tacos and dips – and as we were walking back up the road to the apartment block, I saw Alisha and her mum getting out of their limo.

  Alisha saw us, hesitated, said something to her mum, then walked towards us.

  ‘Prepare for the Queen of Insultland,’ I whispered as she approached.

  ‘Er . . . Jess, can I talk to you for a moment?’ Alisha asked.

  Oh God, what have I done now? I wondered. What rule have I broken this time?

  ‘OK,’ I said.

  Alisha glanced at Charlie. He took the bags from me. ‘I’ll take these, Jess. See you at home later, yeah?’

  I nodded.

  As he strode off, Alisha and I stood in silence for a few moments.

  ‘Want to come up to the apartment for a smoothie?’ she asked. ‘The ones our housekeeper makes are awesome. Raspberry and Greek yoghurt and honey.’

  I was taken aback. Had Alisha Lewis just asked me up to her home?

  ‘I . . . me? Would it be allowed?’

  ‘You came to my party, didn’t you? Anyway, I can have who I like over to my house and I . . . I want to say something to you.’

  What was going on? Was she going to get me alone and then lay into me about something? Only one way to find out, I thought.

  ‘OK. Sure.’

  I followed her over the forecourt, where Yoram opened the door for us.

  ‘Afternoon, Miss Lewis,’ he said with a nod. ‘Jess.’

  ‘Miss Hall to you,’ I replied. He arched an eyebrow. He wasn’t amused, but Alisha actually laughed. Somehow I’ve slipped into a parallel universe, I thought as we crossed Reception to join Mrs Lewis at the lift. I was feeling very puzzled because Alisha wasn’t saying much and I didn’t know what to say either. My mind was racing with all sorts of stupid ideas – nice day (it wasn’t, it was freezing), like your sneakers (I didn’t – they were too pristine white), how’s your home-schooling going? (Like I cared.)

  ‘OK if I show Jess my room, Mom?’ Alisha asked.

  ‘Sure, hon,’ she replied, and she gave me a sweet smile.

  We got into the lift and went up to the apartment where Alisha led me into a room on the upper floor. I didn’t let on that I’d seen the apartment before, although it looked more lived in than the last time I’d been up, with fresh flowers in the hall and magazines strewn across the sofa.

  Upstairs, Alisha’s bedroom was a dream and I couldn’t help but say, ‘Wow.’ It was decorated in shades of gold and looked feminine but not too girlie. By the window was a chaise longue covered in sand-coloured velvet, the same colour as the silk bedspread.

  ‘Like it?’ she asked as she flopped onto the bed.

  ‘Fab. Classy,’ I said, and crossed to the window. ‘And you have a great view of the park from up here.’ I turned back to her and noticed that she looked awkward.

  Best get it over with, I thought. ‘So, what did you want to say?’

  Alisha took a deep breath and sat up. ‘I . . . I wanted to say I’m sorry.’

  ‘Sorry? What for?’ I asked, although I could think of about a million things and it was going to take a lot more than saying sorry to get me to forgive her.

  ‘I know what you must think of me,’ she blurted, ‘and you’d be right, I’ve behaved like a total brat since I arrived here. I wanted to apologise and to say that I’m not really like that.’ She grinned. ‘At least not all of the time. I particularly wanted to say sorry about your mum and what I said that day we went shopping. I feel real bad about it.’

  ‘You weren’t to know,’ I said. I knew I sounded more forgiving than I felt.

  ‘Even so. I’ve been so stressed about it. I’m sorry I just walked away that day. I tried writing a card but the right words . . . it was a hard one to get right.’ She sighed. ‘Seems I’ve done everything wrong since I got here. I’ve felt mad about everything and everyone, about how my life’s turned out. I’ve been pissed with the whole world. I so don’t want to be here and feel so mad that my folks made me come. I’ve definitely taken it out on Mom and I guess . . . I guess I took some of it out on you, too, which wasn’t fair.’

  I shrugged. ‘I thought you hated me.’

  ‘Hated you? No way, Jess. I’ve been so jealous, I can’t tell you.’

  ‘Jealous? Of me? Why?’

  ‘You and Pia. I look at you and I can see what great mates you are – what fun you have, like at my party, you were brilliant.’

  I couldn’t take it in. ‘Brilliant? But you said we were embarrassing. I thought you didn’t want us there.’

  Alisha’s expression turned sad. ‘Only because every time I see you, I’m reminded of what I haven’t got any more – friends. Like at the party, all those people. You know, Mom paid some of them to come. I mean, how embarrassing is that? I think you and Pia and your brother and that other guy . . .’

  ‘Henry.’

  ‘Henry. You were the only people I even vaguely knew.’ I saw tears glisten in Alisha’s eyes. ‘I’ve no real friends here.’ She took a deep breath. ‘I knew some great girls back in California. I really wanted them to come to my party. I would have preferred it if Mom had spent the money on flying some of them over rather than inviting a whole crowd of people who only wanted to come because it was a freebie and because I’m Jefferson Lewis’s daughter. And that dress! So not what I wanted to wear. So not me. That’s what I meant. It’s so embarrassing after those great outfits that you and Pia picked out for me, but my mom made me wear it. You must have thought I looked like a right Barbie.’

  ‘You looked beautiful,’ I said. ‘Boy, we really have been misunderstanding each other! I thought you meant that Pia and me were embarrassing.’

  Alisha suddenly smiled. ‘Well, you were a bit, you looked pretty crazy – but I loved that. It’s just what my crowd would have done back home. No, I meant, how embarrassing it was that there I was, all done up like a princess in a long dress, even if it was Oscar de la Renta, while you’d taken the theme and had fun with it.’

  ‘And I thought when you said that the party was so not what you wanted that you were throwing a wobbly.’

  ‘I guess I was, in a way. But I didn’t want more. I wanted less. I’d have liked a good old-fashioned sleep-over with my besties, like we used to have – to be with people I can be myself with, you know? I miss having someone to go down to the mall with, to hang out with and to watch a movie with in my PJs.’

  ‘But it was such a great party,’ I said.

  ‘For everyone else,’ said Alisha. ‘Don’t get me wrong. I love to party but it doesn’t mean anything if you haven’t got your friends with you. I felt so alone that night, surrounded by crowds. But I felt lonelier than ever when I saw you and Pia messing about. It only reminded me once again what a loser I am.’ She looked so sad, like she was going to cry and, I couldn’t help it, my heart went out to her.


  I went over to sit next to her. I thought about putting my arm around her but hesitated. ‘Hey, don’t be sad. I know exactly how you feel. I do. When I first came to live here, I thought it was going to be so brilliant – you know, a fab apartment block, glam new people – but a few weeks in and I hated it. I missed my mates too. It was a huge readjustment, I can tell you.’

  Alisha looked up. ‘And you had that on top of your mum passing.’

  Now I felt like I was going to cry.

  ‘You must miss her,’ said Alisha.

  ‘Every single day.’

  Alisha reached out, took my hand and squeezed it. ‘I’m sorry you lost her.’

  At that moment, I spotted a framed photo of a brown Labrador. ‘Hey, who’s that?’ I asked, changing the subject.

  Alisha glanced over to where I was looking. She got up and fetched the photo. ‘Caspar.’

  ‘Your dog?’

  She nodded. ‘I had to leave him behind too. Broke my heart, I can tell you. The look he gave me the day we left. I cried all the way to the airport. I’ve had him since he was a pup.’

  ‘So why didn’t you bring him? Residents can have pets.’

  Alisha gestured around. ‘A dog in a place like this?’ She shook her head. ‘I wouldn’t do it to him. A dog needs space, outside access. He’s used to acres of land. We left him with our housekeeper over there so I know he’ll have a better life than he would here and I’ll see him when I go back but, some days, I miss him so much it hurts.’

  I got my wallet out and showed her the photo of Dave.

  ‘Your cat?’

  I nodded.

  ‘He’s adorable. Does he live with you downstairs?’

  I shook my head. ‘Staff aren’t allowed to have pets.’

  ‘That sucks.’

  I nodded. ‘He’s with my gran. Broke my heart too,’ I said, then I told her the whole story about hiding him in the summerhouse and him going and pooing on Dad’s bed. She cracked up laughing. I watched her for a while.

  ‘Hey, you know what, Alisha?’

  ‘What?’

  ‘You’re OK and I guess I’m sorry too. I really thought you had it all.’

  Alisha smiled wistfully. ‘We’ve got a lot, don’t get me wrong, but I miss Caspar and I miss my mates. I really really do.’

  I glanced at my watch and stood up. ‘Listen, I’ve got to go. I’m having a few mates over later so I have to get ready.’

  ‘Sure,’ said Alisha. I could see that she was trying to put on a brave face. ‘It’s been nice. So, what are you going to do? Watch TV? A movie?’

  ‘It’s my birthday and we’re having a sleepover.’

  ‘Cool. Of course. Sagittarian. I should have remembered. Happy Birthday,’ Alisha said. She looked at the floor, but she couldn’t hide how sad she was.

  ‘Want to come?’ I asked.

  19

  VIPs Only

  Dad had a serious look on his face when he came through the front door. ‘Er, Jess,’ he said. ‘I have another request from the Lewis household.’

  ‘It’s OK, Alisha and I are cool with each other now.’ At least I think we are. Dad’s expression said otherwise. Suddenly he broke into a huge grin.

  ‘Not Alisha. JJ. Did you know he was on his school’s swimming team back in California?’

  I shook my head.

  ‘Well, he was, and apparently he’s been feeling that he’s let his standard slip since he’s been here.’

  ‘So?’

  ‘So, he’s asked if you’d be willing to pace him.’

  ‘Me? Pace him? Where? I don’t think he’d like the local baths very much after what he’s been used to.’

  ‘He’s asked if you’ll swim with him here.’

  ‘In the spa? But Mr Knight said I couldn’t. Daughter of staff, blah blah.’

  ‘A resident’s request,’ Dad beamed. ‘How could he refuse? What do you say?’

  A chance to spend time with JJ? A choice between swimming in the spa pool or the local baths with their musty changing rooms and kids getting in my way. Der? No contest, I thought.

  ‘I’d rather have flesh-eating ants crawl over my face,’ I said, and Dad’s face fell. ‘Joking. What time do I start?’

  The rest of the afternoon was spent in a mad rush getting my VIP summerhouse ready. Henry and Charlie had already been in and pinned up an Indian bedspread that Gran had donated along with some scatter cushions and an old heater that she had stored up in her loft. Already it was warm, colourful and cosy.

  At seven o’clock, Meg and Flo arrived bearing gifts and chocolates which we scoffed as we got ready. Pia had insisted I stay with the Spanish theme and had brought red frilly flamenco knickers for all of us. She and Flo immediately put them on their heads and I put mine over my jeans while Meg treated us all to a quick spurt of Spanish dancing.

  Charlie popped his head round the door and rolled his eyes when he saw us. ‘Girls are bonkers,’ he said, and shut the door.

  ‘You can talk,’ I called after him.

  Two minutes later, Charlie was back. ‘You have a guest,’ he said and moved out of the way. Behind him stood Alisha, looking shyly in on us.

  ‘Hi,’ I said. ‘Welcome to the madhouse.’

  She looked very pretty in jeans and a blue top and held out a package for me. ‘Happy Birthday, Jess,’ she said.

  I took the parcel, introduced everyone and they all insisted that I open my present there and then. Inside was the silver top we’d seen the day we’d gone shopping with her and her mum.

  ‘Ohmigod!’

  ‘I know you liked it,’ she said. ‘It’s to say thanks for your help that day and also . . .’ She looked at the others and didn’t continue. I knew that she meant she was sorry for demanding to see my mum on the day we went shopping.

  ‘Wow. Are you sure?’ I said.

  She nodded.

  ‘I totally love it,’ I said, and threw off my T-shirt, put the top on, and did a twirl while everyone ooh-ed and aah-ed. ‘Thanks so much, Alisha.’

  Pia stepped forward and handed Alisha a pair of flamenco pants. ‘It’s a Spanish theme tonight,’ she said. ‘These are for you.’

  ‘Thanks,’ said Alisha and, seeing the way that Pia and Flo were wearing theirs, she immediately put her pair on her head.

  Pants on the head, always an ice breaker, I thought. She was going to fit in just fine. I had invited JJ too but he was going out with his dad somewhere. I didn’t mind that he couldn’t make it because already we had a date to swim together one evening the following week, plus I wasn’t sure how I’d feel having JJ and Tom in the same room. Confused.com, that would be me. Two gorgeous boys, but I wasn’t sure I had a chance with either of them.

  Five minutes later, Josh, Henry and Tom arrived and they all had a great laugh over the pants on head look. Josh was totally star-struck when he saw Alisha and for once was lost for words, which was a relief. Tom had brought a guitar with him and zoomed in on Charlie to talk music. He didn’t seem at all fazed by Alisha being there, in fact, he appeared more into Chaz, acting like they were the best of old friends.

  The rest of the evening passed in a haze of pizza, dancing, chatting and laughing. Everyone wanted to know about Alisha’s life and she told us how much she missed her friends back home and how much of a readjustment the move to London had been.

  ‘Dad wasn’t always famous,’ she said. ‘We used to have a normal life until I was ten and Dad had his big hit, the movie Star Eraser Five. That changed everything.’

  ‘I loved that film,’ said Flo. ‘Your dad was brill in it.’

  ‘I’ll tell him,’ said Alisha.

  ‘So how’s it different now?’ asked Pia.

  ‘Dad’s a public figure. Everyone wants a piece of him. They see him in a movie and think they know him, and us, like there are always journalists following us around wanting a story or a photo they can print, so we’re not as free as we were. It’s a different lifestyle totally. I’m not saying it’s not fun. Of
course, sometimes it is – most of the time – but you pay a price. Like, I never know if people want to know me just because I’m Jefferson Lewis’s daughter, or not.’

  ‘I have the same problem,’ I said, with a glance at Tom who had hardly said a word to me all evening. ‘Being related to Charlie, I never know whether people want to get to know me or him.’

  Charlie rolled his eyes and Tom looked amused.

  ‘It’s true,’ I said.

  ‘Understandable,’ said Alisha, and she gave Charlie a coy look. He blushed furiously. Hmm. Interesting, I thought, as Pia gave me a look to say that she’d clocked it too, though Flo didn’t seem too happy.

  ‘And Charlie is a fantastic musician,’ said Tom.

  ‘In that case,’ said Pia, ‘seeing as we have so much talent in the room, let’s do an X Factor type game for a laugh. Everyone has to do an act and the rest of us will be the judges.’

  ‘Nooo,’ groaned Meg. ‘I’m rubbish at everything.’

  ‘All the better,’ said Pia. ‘The rubbish acts are always the most entertaining. Sorry Meg, there’s no getting out of it, I’m afraid. Flo, you go first.’

  Flo got up and fixed her eyes on Charlie. ‘Some romantic music, maestro,’ she said and Charlie began to strum a slow tune on his guitar. Flo began to dance a floaty, hippy type of dance with a lot of eye contact with Charlie. I couldn’t help it, I got the giggles, and then so did Pia, Meg and Alisha. Flo didn’t seem to notice, she was too busy waving her arms around and wiggling her bum for Charlie, who suddenly found the floor in front of him very interesting and refused to look up. I glanced at Tom and saw that he was watching me. This time, it was me who blushed furiously.

  We clapped when Flo finished and everyone declared her brilliant – except for Charlie, who appeared to be having a coughing fit.

  ‘You next, Meg,’ said Pia.

  Meg got up and did a tai chi display. She’d been doing classes on Saturday mornings. She was very good too, moving slowly and gracefully. Josh fell on the floor in front of her. ‘Take me now,’ he said. ‘I’ll be your slave for ever and worship at your feet.’

  ‘In your dreams,’ said Meg, but I could tell that she was secretly chuffed, until Josh made a dive for her calves and wrestled her to the floor. That boy never does know where to draw the line. I must tell Charlie to give him some lessons in how to act with girls, I thought, or else Josh is destined to go through life single and wondering why. Meg, however, is well schooled in all the martial arts and a swift karate chop to Josh’s neck soon showed him who was in charge. He didn’t seem to mind. Maybe bashing each other about is their way of saying that they like each other, I thought as I watched them wrestle on the floor.