by Emma Moss
‘Thank you, Mrs Lockwood,’ Sassy said. ‘I appreciate it and, once again, I’m really sorry for all the trouble I caused.’
‘BUT,’ Lucy’s mum continued, ‘Lucy’s dad and I think that under the circumstances, considering the events of last night, the visit to Chesterbury Festival has to be cancelled. It doesn’t seem appropriate.’
Later that night, Lucy pulled out her phone in the darkness of the tent.
23:04
Lucy: You there?
23:06
Sam: Hi! Everything OK? I miss you!
23:06
Lucy: WORST DISASTER OF MY LIFE!
23:06
Lucy: (I miss you too xxx)
23:07
Sam: ??? What happened?
23:09
Lucy: We just got GROUNDED!
Can’t go to Chesterbury! Sooo unfair.
23:09
Sam: Why?
23:11
Lucy: Sassy snuck out. Got in BIG trouble. My parents flipped! Now they won’t let any of us go! And Abby can’t do the radio interview. Tiffany will hate us.
23:12
Sam: Brutal.
23:14
Lucy: I am so MAD! Will never forgive her for spoiling this!
23:14
Sam: Whoa! Never heard you so angry . . . try to relax.
23:14
Lucy: But I’m so upset
23:16
Sam: Maybe try to talk to your parents again?
23:17
Lucy: No point. They won’t even let us vlog tonight . . . not that we feel like it anyway.
23:17
Sam: Don’t feel like vlogging? Must be bad!
23:18
Lucy: Har har. Not funny!
23:18
Sam: Speaking of vlogs . . . been watching your old LucyLocket videos . . . you and Foghorn, pretty cute x
23:19
Lucy: OMG so embarrassing pls don’t watch those!
23:20
Sam: Try and stop me
23:21
Lucy: Thought you hated YouTube haha. OK gotta go sleep. Miss you so much!!! xxxx
23:21
Sam: Keep me posted. BH. XXX
Lucy switched off her phone and snuggled down into her sleeping bag. Sam always made her feel better, but could things get any worse? None of the girls were really speaking to each other . . . How would they get through tomorrow?
Hermione woke early and crept out of the tent. She was going to offer to make sausage sandwiches for breakfast to cheer everyone up, but first she sat down at the picnic table to write in her diary.
Dear Diary,
Relieved I made room for you in my rucksack, even if I did have to sacrifice some comfy walking socks! I seriously need to offload. Yesterday was the most AWFUL day. Not the worst of my life, cos we all know that was when I found out my parents were splitting up, but this was up there in my top five!
First of all, there was the stress of Sassy going missing and the worry that she might actually have drowned. Lucy especially was SO upset. Then when she’d been found, Sassy didn’t really see that what she’d done was wrong and inconsiderate. I mean, she seemed to think it was all a big joke. And finally there was the huge disappointment when we were banned from going to Chesterbury. We had just agreed to interview some festival-goers about their outfits for a local radio station. Tiffany arranged it for us. How cool would that have been? Abby would probably have done the interviewing, but we were all excited for the publicity it would give GCV, so now we’re missing out on that as well as the fun of being at a festival. And Abby doesn’t get to see Charlie.
Long story short, we’re all completely gutted, but because Sassy is here we haven’t been able to express our feelings to each other. I can tell everyone is furious with her for spoiling everything, even Abby, who usually thinks she walks on water. We’ve still got three days left of the trip, and I don’t know how it’s going to play out. And, as for Leo, I bumped into him just now as he was heading off to the showers. He looked all cute and half asleep still. We haven’t spent any proper time together, but I really—
‘Oh, Hermione, you’re up,’ said Mrs Lockwood, crawling out of her tent. ‘Hard at work on one of your stories?’
‘Yes, Mrs Lockwood. Well, kind of,’ said Hermione, slamming her diary shut. ‘Need a hand with breakfast?’
Breakfast was quiet, and Hermione thought everyone looked rather grumpy: heads down and eyes heavy as if they hadn’t got much sleep. Hermione certainly hadn’t. She couldn’t stop thinking about what they were going to do about Sassy.
‘I’m sensing that we need to blow some cobwebs away,’ said Mr Lockwood through a mouthful of sausage, ‘so we’re going on the 10k hike up to the Devil’s Tor. I hope everyone’s ready for that. You’ll need your hiking boots and a rain jacket, just in case, as well as sandwiches and plenty of water. Put some sunscreen on too – we might get lucky!’
Sounds exhausting, thought Hermione. Ten kilometres was a looooong way. She’d much prefer to stay cosied up with her book. Or hang around the campsite in the hope of seeing Leo again.
‘We going to see the devil?’ asked Maggie, looking worried.
Her father laughed and kissed her on top of the head. ‘No, sweetpea. Just for a lovely long walk.’
Mr Lockwood sounded much cheerier than yesterday, but as Hermione scanned the faces of her friends, she could see little enthusiasm. Sassy’s expression was hard to pinpoint – a mixture of defiance and anxiety.
They reached the beginning of the trail and headed off up the track. Jessie, Abby and Lucy forged ahead, leaving Hermione and Sassy to walk together.
Hermione wasn’t exactly thrilled to be walking with Sassy, but she couldn’t abandon her and join the others – the path wasn’t wide enough, for one thing, plus it would seem kind of mean. She knew what it was like to be on the outside. But, still, this was going to be mega awkward.
‘I’m not sure these Converse are the best shoes for hiking, but I don’t actually have hiking boots,’ Sassy said, looking down at her purple All Stars.
‘Well, I’ve got some plasters and stuff, if you need them later,’ offered Hermione grudgingly.
They hiked in silence until, after about fifteen minutes, Sassy finally spoke. ‘So, I get that everyone is pretty angry with me. I mean I’ve spoilt everyone’s big treat of the summer – haven’t I?’ She glanced at Hermione.
Hermione was silent for a bit – she didn’t know quite how to answer – but then she drew a deep breath and jumped right in. ‘Well, yeah, we are disappointed to be missing out on Chesterbury. And it does seem unfair that everyone’s being punished . . . It’s like at school when the whole class gets detention because one person has done something wrong. Kind of harsh.’
‘I get that,’ said Sassy. ‘Believe me, I didn’t mean to cause any trouble with the search party and the police and all that. When I realized how angry the Lockwoods were, I expected I would be punished, but not the rest of you. I just thought they’d send me home.’
‘So did I,’ admitted Hermione. ‘Also I thought that, if they didn’t, your dad would send for you. He seems kind of . . . protective.’
Sassy rolled her eyes. ‘You can say that again. It’s a miracle he let me stay. Anyway –’ she glanced miserably ahead at the three girls in front of them, who hadn’t looked back once – ‘everyone is going to hate me forever, right? I guess I’m going to have to quit the channel.’
‘I wouldn’t say that,’ Hermione said, suddenly feeling sorry for Sassy. ‘You’ve only just joined! But no one knows that you’re sorry. Everyone got the impression that you just thought this was a big joke. I think they’re angrier at you for your attitude than anything else.’
‘Really?’ Sassy looked thoughtful. ‘Well, sometimes when I don’t know how to act, I get a bit obnoxious, maybe? I pretend I don’t care about anything. I don’t mean to, but it comes out that way.’
‘I understand,’ said Hermione. She knew loads of peo
ple who sometimes acted like that, including Abby. ‘But the big question is, what are you going to do to make this better?’
They reached the top of the tor by lunchtime and had a picnic by the big rock. There had been quite a lot of moaning for the last steep climb (especially from Maggie, who had to be bribed with sweets to keep going) and Hermione was limping due to a large blister.
The view looked amazing, and Hermione took lots of photos and panning shots over the valley. You could see the ocean far away in the distance.
After lunch, during which all the girls, apart from Hermione, were still quite frosty to Sassy, Sassy drew Mrs Lockwood aside, and they went off for a walk along the ridge while the others lay sunbathing. They were gone for ages.
‘What d’you reckon they’re talking about?’ asked Jessie lazily.
‘Dunno,’ said Hermione. ‘I think Sassy’s feeling a bit down.’
‘Abs, d-did you hear back from T-Tiffany about how we won’t be coming?’ asked Lucy.
‘Yeah, she’s really disappointed. Though not as much as I am,’ replied Abby with a sigh. ‘I was so ready to try out my festival look.’
‘I know,’ said Lucy sadly. ‘I’m s-sorry the trip has turned out this way.’
‘It’s not your fault,’ replied Abby, twirling a daisy between her fingers. ‘I don’t know how I could’ve been so wrong about Sassy. I guess I sort of got dazzled by her energy and didn’t see how selfish she is.’
‘Well, maybe she just comes across that way because she’s feeling insecure,’ said Hermione tentatively. She wasn’t completely sure why she was defending Sassy, but it felt like the right thing to do.
Jessie nodded. ‘Could be. Well, I’m just relieved I’m off the hook,’ she joked.
Abby tutted. ‘Please stop going on about that, Jess. It’s old news! The problem with Sassy is that she needs all this attention—’
‘Shh, they’re c-coming back,’ warned Lucy, and that was the end of the discussion.
The way down was easier than the way up, although Maggie protested and had to be carried on Mr Lockwood’s shoulders.
‘Shall we have ice cream when we get back down? There’s meant to be a great place nearby. It’s all homemade,’ said Mrs Lockwood.
The girls nodded eagerly.
The rows of brightly coloured ice cream looked amazing, and Hermione took some pictures for her Instagram. There were thirty flavours and loads of toppings you could get sprinkled over. They took ages to make their choices: Lucy had vanilla and chocolate chip with salted caramel sauce; Abby chose rocky road with gummy bears; Jessie went for peanut butter with fudge pieces; Sassy chose mango with raspberry sauce; and, after much deliberation, Hermione picked coconut with nuts on top.
They sat outside at a picnic table, licking and slurping, while Lucy’s parents sat a little distance away with Maggie, deep in conversation.
‘Wow, I needed that sugar hit,’ said Sassy.
There was a pause.
Then: ‘Me too,’ agreed Hermione. They couldn’t freeze Sassy out forever.
After a few seconds Abby joined in. ‘Totally. Gummy bears as an ice-cream topping – mind blown!’
They all began to chat enthusiastically about the best flavour combinations, and there seemed to be an unspoken agreement to move on from what had happened.
By the time they got back to the campsite, Hermione had something else on her mind. On the way to the showers that morning, Leo had told her that he and his friends were leaving tomorrow. Now she was dying to see him one last time before he left. They hadn’t spent much time together, but she really liked him – he made her laugh and knew loads of fascinating, random facts. She felt as if she could spend hours in his company and never get bored.
But did he like her? She thought maybe he did, but it was so hard to tell with boys . . . and she’d been wrong before. Would Leo want to stay in touch? It was so nerve-wracking.
‘Luce, come for a walk with me?’ she asked as the others went to change in the tent. ‘I was thinking we could go down to the lake.’
‘M-more walking?’ groaned Lucy. ‘What about your b-blisters?’
‘They feel better,’ said Hermione quickly. Which was not true – she was actually in mild agony. ‘We don’t have to go for long,’ she added pleadingly.
Lucy laughed. ‘I know who you’re l-looking for . . .’ she teased affectionately. ‘He s-seems so nice, and I think he likes you.’
Hermione blushed. ‘D’you think so?’ she asked. ‘I can never tell. But he does make me laugh. And he’s Ravenclaw too.’
*
There were lots of people milling round the dock. Hermione’s heart leaped as she caught sight of Leo and his friends.
‘OMG, he’s c-coming over,’ said Lucy excitedly. ‘Like a moth to a f-flame!’
‘Shut up,’ giggled Hermione, swishing her hair out of her face. She panicked as Lucy walked off and pretended to make a phone call, leaving the two of them alone.
‘Hey,’ said Leo, giving her a little wave.
‘Hey,’ she replied. There was a long silence. Finally she said, ‘You OK?’
‘Yeah, we’re just having our last sesh on the lake before packing up. Do you . . . do you wanna come out in the kayak with me?’ Leo asked. ‘I could do with the help – my arms are knackered!’
‘Erm, OK,’ replied Hermione.
She gestured to Lucy to explain what was happening, then they put on some life jackets and got in the boat, Hermione praying that she wouldn’t do an Abby and fall out. She managed to get in safely, then sat in front, which was a bit awkward because it meant she couldn’t see Leo’s face. They paddled on in silence for a bit.
‘It’s sort of like the Great Lake, isn’t it?’ Hermione blurted, feeling her face flush.
‘You think?’ She could hear him smiling.
‘This is how I picture it anyway, all peaceful—’
A child screamed with laughter somewhere over by the inflatables.
‘OK, without the inflatables and with a giant squid, but you know what I mean.’
‘Where is there a giant squid in Harry Potter?’
Hermione sighed. ‘This is what happens when you don’t read the books, Leo. You miss things.’
He laughed. ‘I promise I’ll at least start reading the books before I see you next. How about that?’
Hermione nearly dropped her paddle. ‘When you see me next?’
‘Well, I was thinking, maybe we can meet up later in the summer . . .’ said Leo hesitantly.
Hermione grinned, safe in the knowledge that he couldn’t see her. Yessss!
‘I mean if you’re up for it, and not too busy? I think we’re only a couple of hours’ drive away.’
She savoured the moment for a couple of seconds. ‘That’d be great,’ she said casually. ‘I’m going away with my dad at the end of the summer, but otherwise I’m around.’
‘Might be cool to do the Harry Potter movie challenge together,’ said Leo. ‘Have you ever done it?’
‘Not the whole thing. I read it takes nineteen hours and thirty-nine minutes to watch all eight movies back to back! Maybe you could come to my house? I’d have to ask my mum if you could stay over, but I think it’d be OK.’ It would definitely not be OK with her mum, but Hermione could cross that bridge when she came to it.
‘Nice one,’ said Leo.
She summoned up her courage and turned round to give him a little smile, which he returned. She turned back and grinned to herself again.
He likes me, he likes me!
When they got back to the dock and out of the kayak, it was a little strange, not least because Lucy was watching them from a few metres away.
Leo said, ‘OK, gotta go, Hermione. I’ll text you when I get home. Be good!’
‘Ha – you too!’ replied Hermione, heart racing as Leo leaned forward and gave her a quick hug.
They exchanged numbers and promised to look each other up on Facebook.
‘Don’t forget to w
ear suncream!’ she called after him, giggling, as he walked away.
Hermione felt herself glow with a warm feeling as she and Lucy walked back to the campsite. She was glad Lucy didn’t ask too many questions; she was blissfully lost in her thoughts.
Dinner was hamburgers and hotdogs, the best meal they’d had so far. The girls quizzed Hermione about her romantic kayak trip until Mrs Lockwood cut in.
‘Leave the poor girl alone!’ she said with a smile, which Hermione returned gratefully. ‘Besides, I have something to tell all of you. I had a long talk today with Sassy. She wanted to explain what really happened yesterday. She apologized once again for causing such an uproar and, more importantly, she offered to go home so that you four could go to Chesterbury. She felt it was unfair that you should be punished for something that wasn’t your fault.’
They all looked at Sassy, who shrugged. ‘It’s true.’
‘So I’ve been discussing the situation with Lucy’s dad, and we’ve decided to let you go to Chesterbury after all,’ finished Mrs Lockwood.
‘Yay!’ shouted Abby, before quickly slapping her hand over her mouth. ‘Sorry.’
They girls looked more stunned than happy, but slowly smiles crept back on to their faces.
Hermione reached over and squeezed Sassy’s hand. ‘Well done!’ she said.
‘Oh, Mom, thank you, thank you,’ said Lucy, and rushed over to give her mother a big hug. ‘But what about S-Sassy? She can’t stay h-here alone.’