Page 40 of On the Edge

There they were.She scanned the boxes.Some had electronic displays, which was a new development since the last time she’ddone one of these tests, seven years ago.It seemed excessive.$79.99!Shit.She couldn’t afford that.20 tests, the box said.Oh.Okay.

She skimmed the prices for the cheapest one.Clearblue Rapid Detection.Three tests for seventeen dollars.It was still more than she could afford, but she’d have to skimp on something else.

Just as she was about to reach for the box, a voice behind her said, ‘Can I help you with anything?’

She spun around to see Jen Henry’s face beaming back at her.She looked like an older version of her daughter, who had excluded Jasmine from her group for months when they were in Year 2.

‘It’s Sophie, isn’t it?Jasmine’s mum?’

‘Oh, yes … hi …’

‘I’m Jen.’She put two hands on her chest, tilting her head to one side.‘Chanel’s mum.’She waited for a look of recognition, before she went on.‘What are you looking for?’

‘I’m looking for the, um … ah, the …’

Jen waited.

‘The hair dye,’ Sophie said.

Jen paused a moment too long, still tilting her head, then said, ‘In the next aisle.Follow me.’

Sophie did as she was told.She pretended to peruse the various shades, willing Jen to leave her alone so she could slip out of the store without making a purchase.

‘What colour are you after?’Jen asked.

‘Um, light brown, maybe,’ Sophie mumbled.

Jen reached for a sixteen-dollar Clairol box.‘This is a lovely shade.’

Sophie bit her lip.Could she get away with saying she’d changed her mind?No.Jen was smarter than that.

‘Perfect,’ she said, following Jen, who was already walking to the counter.

Chapter 24

‘Poppy!’Nel said.‘This is a nice surprise.’

Her niece gave her a nervous smile.‘Can I sit down?’

‘Of course.’

Poppy sat, tucking her long stockinged legs underneath her.

‘I’ll leave you to it.’Viv shut the door behind her.

Nel looked from Poppy’s checked tunic to the clock.It was eleven twenty-five.‘Aren’t you meant to be at school?’

‘I snuck out the gate behind the hall.I have a double free period so they won’t even notice I’m gone.’She clasped her hands tightly in her lap, her knuckles white.She looked at the patterned carpet for a moment before looking up.

Nel sensed she wasn’t sure where to start.‘Is everything okay?’

‘Can I ask you something?’Poppy paused, then went to speak, then stopped and sighed.‘Actually, never mind.’

‘You sure?’

‘Yeah, doesn’t matter.’

Nel moved her own chair closer to Poppy’s and took her hand.