we got to Saumarez Park I didn’t smell a rat (i.e. her). I didn’t want to look a gift horse (i.e. two-faced cow) in the mouth.
Mum was running the stand for the Christian Aid tin-rattlers and offered to give us a lift. I almost got excited, since I hadn’t been out for ever. I did notice that Vicky went quiet in the car on the way there, but I just assumed it was because we’d been talking about her birthday at the end of the month. She was planning a big party and was worried re: inviting me.
But by the time we got to the park she was acting as shifty as a tax dodger. I kept suggesting stuff to do or eat, but she wasn’t interested. All she did was stare off into the distance, and I wondered if she was looking out for girls from our class.
‘Are you embarrassed to be seen with me?’ I asked.
‘Don’t be daft!’ she replied. ‘You’re so paranoid.’
I said sorry (of course), but then I lost her in the queue for the sparklers. The minute my back was turned she vanished. I wasn’t surprised, really. I assumed she’d gone to find someone more exciting.
I’m not too fond of crowds and I didn’t want to go on any of the rides by myself. I therefore focused on the food, of which there was a lot. I’d eaten two slices of ham and pineapple pizza and some Dolly Mixtures when the display started, and as pink stars exploded in the sky everyone was looking up and making ‘ooh-aaah’ noises. But I wasn’t in the mood to be all filled with wonder, what with everyone elbowing me.
I decided I’d had enough and walked all around the bonfire, still looking for Vicky. As I milled about the people’s faces, all lit up by the flames, began to look quite devilish. I had a strange feeling, and it wasn’t indigestion. I walked past Mum’s stand but she wasn’t on it. Then I did a circuit of the beer tent. Everyone was chatting and laughing – families together, young couples, etc. Then I thought I saw Vicky walking off into the wooded bit of the park. I ran after her, calling out, past groups of people or couples snogging. I was heading towards the children’s playground, away from the crowds, which was maybe not too clever. Then I felt someone tug at the hood of my anorak and I heard a clicking sound. It took me a minute to work out what was happening and by then I smelt burning. Nic stood back, holding a cigarette lighter with its little flame still flickering. She’d tried to set fire to the fur trim of my anorak. It was fake fur and had therefore melted, but the smell was disgusting.
She shoved me and I fell, and then I heard Lisa laugh. I remember blinking as liquid was poured onto me. It was White Spirit (I recognised the smell from art class) and I shook my head about. I also tried to stand back up but Lisa put her hands on my shoulders.
Nic flicked the lighter and held it up. ‘Scared now?’
I don’t know for sure if they’d have done it, or if they were just trying to scare me.
Nic said ‘You are a filthy little liar! Repeat after me:
“I’m a filthy little liar!”’
‘No,’ I spluttered. ‘Why?’
Out of the darkness someone called ‘Hey there!’
I vaguely focused on a fluorescent jacket and realised it was one of the safety-wardens-cum-parking-attendants. ‘Bloody kids. What are you playing at? Get back to the fair or I’ll take you to the police tent.’
I stood up and brushed myself down. Of course everyone else had vanished. I said thank you to the man but he gave me a dirty look, like it was all my fault, and propelled me back towards the bonfire. The last thing I wanted to do was go back into the fair. I wondered where Vicky was. Had she been watching? Had she lured me into a trap? She must’ve really hated me, to do something so low. I checked the time on my Swatch. 9.15. Mum had arranged for me to get a lift back with Mrs Senner at 10, which meant I still had 45 minutes. Quel nightmare. I made for the main part of the park, knowing Nic and Lisa were lurking somewhere, getting ready to come after me again. I thought about calling Mum but the nearest phone box was