Grace tutted and Wizzie turned on her. ‘Be honest, Grace. That did take a lot of guts.’
But Grace wasn’t about to give in. ‘I’d like to have seen them spread out over the road,’ she said.
‘Don’t listen to Grace. She’s really a softie at heart. Anyway,’ Wizzie went on, ‘me and the lassies have been talking, and we’ve got a proposition for you.’ She paused, watched for my reaction to her next words. ‘How would you like to become a Hell Cat?’
Chapter Thirty-Four
For a moment I thought I’d heard her wrong. Or maybe I was dreaming. Had Wizzie really asked me to join her gang? I was so taken aback I didn’t know what to say. Just stood there, staring.
Wizzie started waving her hands about in front of my face. ‘Hello! Is anybody in?’ She looked at Lauren. ‘The lights are on but nobody’s home.’
It seemed ages before I found my voice. ‘You’re asking me to join your gang?’
‘Count me out of this!’ Grace snapped the words out, too close to my face. ‘I think it’s the worst idea they’ve ever had.’
‘They’? So it wasn’t just Wizzie’s idea.
‘I’m wi’ Grace on this.’ Sonya moved a step closer to Grace.
‘See, Grace and Sonya are against it. And me and Lauren are for it. And because this is a democracy … majority wins.’
‘It was an equal vote,’ I reminded her. ‘Two against two.’
Wizzie just shrugged. ‘Aye, but I arm-wrestled them for the other vote. And I’m bigger than they are.’ She wasn’t actually. She was the smallest of the lot, tiny in size and build, but there was something about Wizzie that made her seem bigger. ‘So … what’s your answer?’
‘What’s the catch?’ There had to be a catch. I was sure of it.
‘You’re a good fighter,’ Lauren said.
‘I don’t want to spend all my time fighting.’
‘Neither do we.’ Grace still sounded as if she’d like to grab me by the hair and drag me along the street. ‘We always have a great laugh, the whole lot of us. Brilliant mates we are. Not like your nancy pals. Ooo, the Lip Gloss Girls.’ She pretended to put lipstick on her big horsey lips.
But we’d had brilliant times too … ‘They’re not my pals,’ I reminded them.
‘Well, there ye are. You’ve not got any mates. We could be your mates.’ Wizzie said it as if it was an offer I’d be mad to refuse.
‘What would I want you lot for my mates for?’
‘Desperation?’ Lauren suggested.
I turned on her. ‘I’d have to be desperate to join your gang.’
‘What did I tell you?’ Grace turned on Wizzie angrily. ‘What do we want her for?’
‘Give me one good reason why I should join the Hell Cats.’
Wizzie grinned. ‘I’ll give you a great one. Because you want to watch that Erin’s face when she sees you walking into that canteen wi’ us.’
And at that moment, they had me. I knew then I wouldn’t say no. I shrugged casually and told them I’d let them know my decision next day at school – but that decision was already made.
I was going to join the Hell Cats.
Chapter Thirty-Five
In my dreams that night I pictured Erin’s face when she first saw me with them. What a moment that would be. I woke up and still knew it was the right thing to do. The right thing because it would annoy Erin so much. But it had to be done in the right way.
It had to be the perfect moment for her to find out. I went through all the possibilities in my mind. I imagined myself standing with the Hell Cats at the school gates, pictured Erin stepping off her bus and practically falling over us – saw the look on her face, shock, horror …
But no, just not dramatic enough.
Then I pictured the scene in class when I would suddenly turn to Wizzie and say nonchalantly, ‘So, where are we going tonight?’
No, she could miss that completely. Erin might be polishing her claws at that point.
At last I figured out the best time for them to find out. Just as good old Wizzie had said. In the canteen, so that the whole school could witness the great moment.
I could hardly wait for lunchtime next day. I was deliberately late for school because I didn’t want to see anyone outside the gates. I didn’t even glance at any of them in class. I blanked everyone, waiting for my moment. If watching films had taught me anything, it was how to make an entrance.
I was almost the last pupil into the canteen. I collected my tray and waited in the queue for food. I didn’t look at anyone, didn’t talk to anyone either. Then I began the long walk to a table. I could feel everyone’s eyes on me. For so long I’d felt such a fool trying to find a table that would actually have me. Usually I tripped and could hear all the murmured giggles. I didn’t feel a fool today. I walked straight-backed and full of confidence right past Erin and the rest at our table.