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Mia had no idea Riley had been seeing anyone but she was too embarrassed to admit she had no clue about her daughter’s life so she just nodded.

‘Well, she really likes him. I dunno why, to be honest, he’s not so great, but anyway … So, tonight “Kevin” was all over Zoë, right?’

‘Is that Zoë Karsdale, the hurdler?’

‘Yeah. She’s good at jumping over hurdles but, whatever, she’s a total douchebag.’

‘Douchebag?’

‘You know, all, like, dyed hair and big white teeth and sporty and bouncy and fake.’

Since when had having white teeth and being sporty become a bad thing? Mia let it go. She wanted to find out more. ‘So what happened?’

‘“Kevin” was all touchy-feely with Zoë in front of Riley, which shows a total lack of respect and also it was, like, really humiliating for Riley cos everyone knows she was with him until last week. But then “Kevin” was all cold with her, like she’d done something wrong, which Riley says she didn’t.’

‘Poor Riley.’

‘I know, right? Riley is crushed but pretending she’s not – you know how she is. So she starts hitting the vodka big-time. I’m like, “Dude, drink some H2O,” but she’s having none of it because she’s watching her boy all over another girl. And then she goes all Hulk Hogan and starts shoutingat him and calling him a … well, bad names, and then she throws her drink over him, but she trips and falls and then it’s all major drama because there’s blood and … Well, that’s how she ended up here.’

Mia knew it was childish but she was proud of Riley for throwing a drink over ‘Kevin’. How dare he treat her like that and humiliate her in public, the little shit? Still, though, getting plastered and making a spectacle of yourself was not the right way to go about it. But she understood why Riley had done it. At least there was a valid reason for her actions. She’d love to get her hands on ‘Kevin’. How dare he hurt her daughter, how bloody dare he?

‘So I know you’re all furious with her drinking and stuff, but don’t go too Hulk Hogan on her because she’s had a really rough night.’

Mia smiled. ‘I promise not to go Hulk Hogan on her. Thank you for telling me. You’re a good friend, and she’s lucky to have you. Thanks for bringing her to hospital and for calling us. I really appreciate it, and I know Riley does too.’

Shocko shrugged. ‘It’s no big deal. She’d do the same for me. But you absolutely cannot tell her I told you about the ex-boyfriend because she’d kill me. Seriously, I’m dead meat if she finds out I spilled the beans.’

Mia placed her hand on Shocko’s shoulder. ‘I promise I won’t break your trust. But by the sound of it, she’s well rid of this boy.’

‘I think so.’

‘She deserves a lot better.’

‘Damn straight.’

‘Right. Let’s get you kids home.’

Mia and Shocko walked back to Riley’s cubicle.

‘Let’s go,’ Mia said. ‘We’ll pick up some McDonald’s for you two on the way home. You must be starving.’

Johnny looked surprised, and Riley’s mouth hung open in an expression of pure shock.

‘Is this a wind-up? I presumed I was going to be locked away in a dungeon for ever,’ Riley said.

‘Oh, you’ll be locked away all right, but I’m not going to starve you.’ Mia grinned and pushed Riley’s hair back. ‘I love you too much for that.’

Riley pushed her hair forward again, but she almost smiled.

8

Sarah was mopping the kitchen tiles when the doorbell rang. She glanced at her watch. Two o’clock. Maybe it was another delivery. Adam had been sending her bouquets for the last four days since she’d told him about the baby. She was running out of vases, but it was nice that he was making an effort. Plus he’d been home for dinner two out of the four nights, which was an improvement.

She put down her mop and went along the hall to open the door. It was Riley. She was in her school uniform, her rucksack slung over her shoulder.

‘Hi, is everything OK?’

Riley never called in during the day. Sarah was worried.