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Riley clambered to her feet.

‘It’s such a shock for you all. Your mum called me and filled me in. I’ve told her to take as much time as she needs. It’s so difficult, especially for Izzy,’ Mrs Kelly said. ‘I just wanted to check in with you and let you know that I’ll be keeping a close eye on Izzy and you can come and visit her at lunchtime if you like. As you know, we don’t normally allow the senior girls tocome into the junior playground, but under these circumstances you can certainly come and see your little cousin.’

‘Thank you,’ Riley muttered. ‘I’d like that. Izzy needs to be minded. She was crying in her sleep last night. She’s confused. Well, we all are, to be honest.’

She didn’t really know what else to say. She hadn’t had any further updates on Sarah’s condition. She’d texted her dad earlier, but he said he’d had no news from her mum yet.

‘We’re all praying for your aunt,’ Mrs Moloney said.

Riley wasn’t too sure how much confidence she had in Mrs Moloney’s prayers. She’d prayed for Grace O’Brien’s dad last term and he’d died anyway.

‘If you ever need or want to talk to someone, my door is open,’ Mrs Moloney said.

The only time Riley had ever been in her office was when she was in trouble. She couldn’t imagine going in and sitting in that upright chair opposite the principal and pouring her heart out.

Besides, how could she explain the way she felt about Sarah? How could she put into words how the thought of losing her aunt made her unable to breathe? She loved Sarah, like really, really loved her. Sarah was always on Riley’s side. When her mum went off on one about something Riley had done or the way Riley had spoken to her, Sarah would wink at Riley and say, ‘Come on, Mia, I’m sure Riley didn’t mean it like that,’ or ‘I think you’re being a little harsh,’ or ‘Riley’s brilliant and we all love her to bits.’

Sarah was the one person Riley didn’t mind getting hugs from. She liked Sarah’s hugs: they were warm and genuine. She loved the way Sarah could make her mum laugh. She’d sit in awe as Sarah slagged Mia about something and Mia would just crack up laughing. Mia never got annoyed with her sister for poking fun at her: she loved Sarah too much.

Riley liked the way her mum was when she was with Sarah – relaxed and fun and nicer. Mia was way less narky to her when Sarah was around.

Sarah always tried to look at the positive side of life. When Johnny had lost his job, Riley had overheard her mum telling Sarah. They had gone into the TV room in Sarah’s house, leaving Riley and Izzy to eat the brownies Sarah had made. But Riley had snuck out to listen at the door. She knew something bad had happened to her dad and she wanted to know what it was.

Mia was crying and saying, ‘What are we going to do? We need his salary …’

‘You’ll be OK, Mia. You’re an amazing woman. Johnny is a brilliant journalist and he’ll find another job. You have the deputy head job now, so that’ll take some of the heat off and you know we’ll help you. I’d be delighted to give you money to get you over the hump.’

‘Don’t be silly. We’ll figure it out.’

‘I still have the money Mum left me.’

‘What? Still?’

‘Yes, I never spent it.’

‘God, mine’s long gone. It went on getting the rotting windows at the front of the house changed and Riley’s school trip to Rome. Which she said she hated.’ Mia laughed bitterly.

‘Come on, Mia, she was only being contrary. She loved it. Remember you coming back from that school trip to Wales and telling Dad it was the worst weekend of your life? It’s called being a teenager. Look, I’d be delighted to give you money. Adam’s business is flying again and I don’t need it. Mum would be thrilled if she knew her money was going to you, Johnny and Riley.’

‘I can’t take your money.’

‘Then let’s call it a very long-term loan. Please, Mia, let medo this for you. You’ve helped me in so many ways. Let me help you. It will make me so happy.’

‘No, but thank you. If I get really stuck, I promise I’ll come to you for a loan. Knowing I can do that takes the pressure off. Thanks, Sarah.’

Riley could hear the relief in her mother’s voice. Good old Sarah, somehow making it seem like Mia would be doing her a favour by taking the money. That day, Riley had fallen even more in love with her aunt.

Sarah always made Riley feel good about herself. Riley knew she wasn’t beautiful, but Sarah told her how gorgeous her eyes were and how she had a smile that could stop traffic. She told her to walk tall and not hunch over to hide her height.

‘Being tall is wonderful. I always wished I was taller. Being five foot three is rubbish. You have a fantastic figure so show it off. Walk tall and proud. You are a stunner. I wish I had your long legs – skinny jeans look so good on you.’

Riley’s mum told her she was gorgeous, but mothers lied to their kids all the time. She’d overheard Sandra Pierce’s mother telling her how beautiful she was, and Sandra was by miles the ugliest girl in the year.

Mrs Kelly cleared her throat. ‘Of course we’ll keep a keen eye on Izzy. I know you’re close. She’s so fond of you. She was telling me all about your sleepovers. She’s such a sweet girl and you seem like a very caring cousin.’

‘Good to hear. Keep it up, Riley. Izzy needs all the support she can get right now,’ Mrs Moloney said. Glancing at her watch she said, ‘Right, time to ring the bell. I’ll see you inside, Riley, and remember, my door is open.’

‘Thanks,’ Riley muttered.