The Dead Ex(25)

‘Yeah. Your own brat,’ murmured Dawn. ‘He nicks ours when he’s got his own.’

‘What’s that you’re saying?’

Dawn put her chin up defiantly. ‘Nothing.’

Instead, there was toast. One cold slice each. Scarlet ate her piece slowly, chewing each mouthful the way she and Mum always did when there wasn’t much to eat. Then she put her hands on her lap to show she had finished.

‘Posh manners,’ sniggered Darren.

‘Fuck off,’ said Dawn.

‘Your new best friend, is she?’

‘I’m training her. And I don’t want her upset.’

‘Training me for what?’ asked Scarlet.

Dawn made a ‘shut up’ face just as Mrs W came back in the room.

‘What are you lot talking about?’

Nervously, she put up her hand. ‘Please, Mrs Walters. Can you tell me when I’m going to see Mum?’

‘When the Social says you can. Now get out of here. All of you.’

‘But it’s too early for the bus.’

‘Tough. I’m going out.’

It was freezing, waiting at the bus stop.

‘Someone stinks,’ said Darren. ‘Ugh! The new girl’s pissed herself again.’

‘Stinky Scarlet. Stinky Scarlet!’

Soon everyone was saying it over and over again.

No one wanted to sit next to her. As soon as they reached school, she ran behind some bushes and peeled off her pants. That was better. Then she followed the trail of children through the gates. It was big – like her old school – and the classes were ginormous. ‘Cos of the cuts, we’re divided into abilities and not age,’ explained her friend. ‘Looks like I’m in the same class as you for maths.’ She tugged at her arm. ‘I’m bloody hopeless so we’ll sit at the back. Come on.’

At last! Something fun to do. ‘Fuck, you’re quick,’ said Dawn when Scarlet had finished her worksheet. ‘Can you do mine for me too?’

Luckily, there was so much noise that the teacher couldn’t hear her.

‘Who can tell me the answer to number one?’

‘Eleven.’

The teacher looked surprised. ‘Well done, Dawn. And number two?’

‘Five and … and a small one over two.’

‘Brilliant. It just goes to show what hard work can do. Now what about you?’ The teacher glanced at the register in front of her. ‘Scarlet, isn’t it?’

‘Get it wrong,’ hissed Dawn.

‘What?’

‘Then she won’t suspect you gave me the answer.’

But six times six was thirty-six. Everyone knew that, didn’t they? Mum was good at sums. She’d been going to learn maths at university before she’d had Scarlet.

‘Thirty-four,’ said Scarlet dutifully.

‘Thirty-six, actually. Never mind.’

‘That’s not fair,’ hissed Scarlet when they moved on to the next sheet.

‘Course it is. I’m looking after you, aren’t I? So you’ve got to do stuff for me in return.’

At last it was lunch. Chips and baked beans! Yummy.

‘I’ll let you off lightly,’ said Dawn. ‘You only need give me half.’

‘Why can’t I eat it all?’

‘Because I’m your protector, stupid. It’s how you pay me to keep you safe.’

‘Safe from who?’

Dawn pointed towards three girls by the window. ‘See them? They’re real cows. Scratch your eyes out in the playground unless I’m around.’

As she spoke, one of them looked across and gave her a hard stare. Scarlet felt a cold shiver pass through her. ‘They live on the estate. A different one from ours. The Badlands.’

Silently, Scarlet pushed across her plate. Dawn swapped her empty one back in return.

A few minutes later there was a sharp whistle sound. ‘Outside, everyone.’

‘This is it.’ Dawn’s voice was low. ‘Stick to me.’

‘But aren’t the teachers on duty? At my old school, they’d stop anyone hurting others.’

‘Not here, they don’t. Can’t be arsed.’

The biting air hit Scarlet as soon as she stepped outside. The old anorak which Mrs W had given her was too small and had a broken zip.

‘Someone cold, are they?’ asked one of the Badlands girls. She was wearing a black top which was so low you could see her bra.

‘No,’ said Scarlet but her voice quivered.

‘Maybe it’s cos you’re not wearing no knickers.’

How did she know?

‘One of my mates saw when she dropped her pencil on the floor. Trying to flash your fanny around, are you? Or maybe you’re used to being somewhere hotter. Which country do you come from?’

‘Here.’

‘Then why are you black?’

‘She’s brown,’ said Dawn.

‘Yeah. Right. I heard there was a new girl in the centre yesterday nicking stuff.’ The eyes narrowed. ‘Same colour as you. With red beads in her hair.’

‘I could belt you for that.’

‘Is that so, Dawnie?’

‘No one calls me that.’