Page 6 of Revenge

“Ah, from Harry Potter.”

“Yes.”

“Well. I’m sure you’ll get your happy endingoneday.” K reassured me.

Then there was silence between us as we sat under the stage, two semi-strangers sharing a quiet moment, and it felt good. I wasn’t afraid, it was like that rule of always being on my best behaviour didn’t exist under there.

“You don’t have to worry about the bullies you know. They don’t know where you are. I sent them away.”

“You did?”

“Yes, I saw you slip under here and I covered for you. That’s what friends do. Watch each other’s backs.”

So, as well as keeping me company, K had saved me. “Thank you for doing that. I wish I had a present to give you.”

“All I need is your smile. That’s enough of a gift.”

His words made me feel special.

“Want to hear my idea?” K suddenly said.

“Sure.”

“Are you hungry?”

My tummy growled at the words, and our eyes dropped to my stomach and back. I giggled, feeling silly and K squinted as he shared the joke. My tummy had answered for me.

K pushed up into a squat, bending his head so it didn’t hit the stage floor and he said, “I’ll go get us some food and we can have a secret feast, just you and me here in our den, what do you think?”

I nodded my head so hard it hurt. I felt a burst of excitement that we had a den.

“What type of goodies do you fancy?” he asked.

Pursing my lips I thought about all the nice foods I had seen spread on the buffet table.

“There’s these pink things with frosting on the top; they looked delicious,” I said, licking my lips. We never kept sweet stuff at the house as mummy said they made you fat.

K dashed his knuckles across his nose before saying, “Pink things with frosting? Got it. How about I bring a plate of cakes? I’m a sweet tooth myself.”

“OK. Thank you.” Oh, what a treat.

As K scooted back the way we both came in, I watched him go with hope in my belly. I wondered if he’d come back at all. Maybe this was all a trick and he would tell Tasha and those meanies where I was?

But that wasn’t what happened. Kdidcome back and what a feast he brought with him. There were cakes of all different colours and shapes and two cans of pop. I wasn’t allowed fizzy drinks as Mummy said they made your teeth rot so that was an added treat.

We sat together in our den and talked about all sorts; cartoons, music, dancing, school. I hadneverfelt so chilled talking to a boy.

After we’d finished our feast, we sat there against the pillar, feeling full. My face must have been covered in icing because K drew a dark red silk hankie from his pocket and handed it to me.

“Better than ruining your sleeve,” he joked.

I drew the silky material across my lips and nose; blowing noisily.

As I went to return it, K grinned and said, “Keep it.”

His generousness sent a whoosh through my tummy, “I will thanks.”

Lowering the hankie from my face, I glanced down. The material was soft and felt expensive, and stitched into the fabric were the letters K K. I ran my fingers over them, wondering what they stood for but decided not to ask. To me, he was just K and that was perfect.

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