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‘I won’t punch you.’ Izzy giggled.

‘I don’t mind if you do. Sometimes when I’m really angry I want to punch things.’

‘You seem angry a lot.’

Riley sighed. ‘Being a teenager is difficult. I’m trying to be less angry and to be nicer to my mum. She’s sad about Sarah too.’

‘My daddy is super-sad. I heard him crying last night.’

‘Oh, Izzy, it’s just a really tough time. But things will get better. We have to look at the good things. You are loved byso many people. You are gorgeous, smart, funny, cute and kind of adorable.’

‘Gorgeous? Even with my stinky glasses?’

‘Hey! Glasses rock. Do you want to look the same as everyone else? Hell, no. You want to stand out and be seen. You are a brilliant girl, Izzy. Don’t ever forget that.’

‘Jason called me Hedwig – like the owl inHarry Potter.’

Riley stood up. ‘Which one is Jason?’

Izzy pointed to a boy with freckles.

Riley took her cousin’s hand and went over to the group of boys Jason was with. ‘Hey, Freckle Face, are you Jason?’

‘Yes.’ Jason looked up, eyes wide.

‘Listen very carefully. If you ever make any comment to Izzy again about her glasses, in fact, if you even look at her sideways again, I will come down here and kick your arse. Do you understand me?’ Riley poked him in the chest.

Jason nodded.

‘And that goes for all of you. If anyone is mean or insensitive to Izzy, they will have to answer to me. Is that clear?’

All the boys nodded.

‘Good.’

Izzy and Riley walked away.

‘Wow, Riley, you were, like, really scary!’

‘I wanted them to know I mean it.’

Izzy threw her arms around Riley’s waist. ‘I love you, Riley.’

‘I love you too. You’re going to be OK. I’m here for you. Now, you have my number in the special phone your dad gave you, don’t you?’

‘Yes, I have Daddy’s number, Mia’s, Johnny’s, Granddad’s and yours. Daddy said if I’m feeling bad or need to ask a question about Mummy, I can use it.’

‘Well, call me anytime, day or night.’

‘I will.’

‘Gotta fly or I’ll be late for class. See you tomorrow.’

‘Bye.’ Izzy waved as Riley jogged back to the senior school.

Mia smiled to herself. Her teenager still had a heart of gold buried beneath all the angst.

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