Page 29 of Tricky Girls

Tilda: I’m midlands too now. And cool. I was a loner kid

Easier,is my first thought. Then I feel bad. With Mum being how she is, I practically raised my bunch. They’re more than just my siblings. I wouldn’t wish to get rid of them for all the world.

Boring?I ask.

Tilda: Pretty much. Like tonight. Dead around here

Me: Fancy a call? I’m bored AF too. Everyone’s asleep

Tilda: Phone calls make me nervy x

Me: I’ll be gentle, promise xxx

Her picture enlarges on my phone and I blink at it a moment before answering.

‘Look at you taking the initiative.’

‘I have been known to do that sometimes.’

‘I’m honoured. With your nerves and all.’

‘You should be. They’re kinda bad.’

She sounds pretty chill to me, an obvious smile in her voice.

‘Sorry I’m not there to hold your hand,’ I tease. ‘Or other things.’

‘Oh my god, you’re as bad as Haz.’

‘Hey, bite your tongue.’ I grin. ‘Or I will.’

There’s a moment of pointed silence over the phone.

‘Okay, I see what you mean. Guess she’s been rubbing off on me.’

Tilda hums down the phone. ‘Why do I get the feeling you’ve rubbed off onher?And make a dirty joke about rubbing and I’ll kill you.’

‘You know, I kinda get the feeling you’re worse than both of us put together.’

‘Dunno where you get that impression from. I’m an angel.’

‘Angel of death.’

‘Hell yeah,’ she laughs. She has a nice laugh. All girlish and lilting. One you can’t help but smile along with.

‘So, what did you and Haz get up to then? You said boy trouble. That same dude?’

‘Ryan, yeah. He wouldn’t let me get my stuff back so I called for backup. Did the job.’

‘I bet. Another broken nose?’

‘Thankfully not.’

I hate that I want to ask. I want to know every double entendre Haz might have said to her. Did they touch? Did Haz come onto her? I mean, of course she would have. But enough to add to the table?

‘I’m surprised Haz left yours so early,’ I hedge. ‘Would have thought she’d insist on spending the night.’

‘Jealous?’ Tilda croons.

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