Page 101 of The Christmas Fayre on Holly Field

Amanda said, ‘I admit I believed Darlene when she told me she had done nothing to provoke your daughter, and I also admit that I was pushing for a permanent exclusion. I didn’t think three days was nearly enough. But then I found out the truth, didn’t I, Darlene? I was hoping to bump into you today because Darlene owes your daughter an apology.’ There was silence for a second, then Amanda nudged her daughter. ‘Go on,’ she urged.

Harriet turned her attention to the child and waited, hardly daring to believe what she was hearing.

‘Sor-reee,’ Darlene sang, a cocky expression on her face and a sneering twist to her lips.

Huh, Harriet thought – some apology that was.

Darlene’s mother looked startled. ‘Darlene! Say it as though you mean it.’

‘But I don’t. I’m not sorry,’ Darlene said. ‘She wore my cast-offs.’ Her tone left no one in any doubt as to how she felt about that.

Harriet felt Sara shrink back at the girl’s venomous words, and she pulled her daughter into her side, holding her close. That was it! She was definitely going to demand something be done about that child. If she was this openly nasty in front of adults, what must she be like when she was on her own with her peers? It didn’t bear thinking about.

Harriet noticed Mrs Cooke drawing closer to listen and she shot the headteacher an I-told-you-so look.

‘I’m so sorry,’ Amanda said. ‘I don’t know what’s got into her. She never used to be like this. It’s since her dad walked out on us. I’ve been trying my best to keep things as normal as possible, but it hasn’t been easy.’ She gulped and her chin wobbled. She had tears in her eyes as she continued, ‘I’ve been struggling to make ends meet—’ She laughed bitterly. ‘I know what you’re thinking: that I can’t have been struggling that much to have held Darlene’s birthday party in Deri Castle, but her dad’s sister is the general manager there, so I didn’t have to pay for the hire of the room, and the food was at cost.’

Darlene’s eyes were wide and her mouth was open. This was obviously news to her.

Her mother said, ‘I had to sell some things to afford the Pandora bracelet she asked for, which was why I was at the boot sale. I’m so sorry you bought that dress. If I’d known what it was for…’ She sighed.

To her surprise, Harriet felt sorry for the woman. Hadn’t she herself tried to do the same thing in ensuring her own children’s lives weren’t affected when their father walked out? ‘You weren’t to know.’

Amanda swallowed. ‘Do you know what’s truly awful about all this? Apart from Darlene’s inexcusable behaviour, that is. I, myself, bought that dress second-hand from one of the boot sales I went to last year, plus the one she was wearing to her party. It’s the only way I could afford to keep Darlene in the style to which she’d become accustomed.’

Darlene let out a gasp. ‘You liar! Youdidn’t!’

‘Sorry, my love, I did.’

‘I don’t believe you!’ Darlene cried, but the look in her eyes told Harriet that she did.

‘So you see,’ Amanda said to her daughter, ‘you can get down off your high horse and apologise properly, because you’ve been wearing second-hand clothes, too. And not because of any noble reason like saving the planet, but because I couldn’t afford to buy you all the things you wanted otherwise.’

Darlene was close to tears, and pity stirred in Harriet’s chest. Hadn’t Sara had the same reaction about wearing pre-loved items? And hadn’t Harriet also kept details of her family’s financial situation from her own children?

Harriet had more in common with Darlene’s mother than she would ever have thought possible.

‘Darlene!’ Amanda cried. ‘Apologise and mean it, or you’ll be grounded from now until the New Year.’

‘Mam!’

‘I’m serious.’

Darlene began to cry. Great big sobs that shook her thin frame. ‘I’m sorry, I really am.’

‘Don’t apologise tome, apologise to the person you humiliated and made fun of.’

Darlene’s voice was small and hiccupping. ‘Sorry, Sara.’

Sara looked up at Harriet, who nodded, smiling her encouragement.

‘It’s OK,’ Sara said. She was sombre and uncertain, and Harriet didn’t think the two girls would ever be bosom buddies, but at least hopefully the bullying would now stop.

‘Good,’ Mrs Cooke said, coming to stand next to Darlene. She put a hand on the child’s shoulder. ‘I think you’ve learnt a valuable lesson today. I’ve been hearing some disturbing things about you, young lady, but I hope your behaviour will improve after this.’ The headteacher glanced at Harriet and gave her a quick smile. ‘Now, shall we put this behind us, and enjoy the Fayre? I must say, it’s a credit to you, Mrs Parry, as is your daughter.’ She turned to Sara. ‘Which brings me to the reason I’m here today – besides picking up a few bits and pieces for Christmas, of course. Sara, how would you like to be the school’s Eco Advisor? I think you’ll be perfect for the job.’

Sara was dumbstruck, and Harriet had to give her a nudge to remind her to speak.

‘Yes, please,’ she said shyly. ‘Thank you, Miss. Did you hear that, Mam? I’m to be the Eco Advisor.’ She was beaming with pride.

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