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Rosie has been invited to Figs’ birthday party in the park. I can see the attraction of this from a teenage point of view, but as a mum I know that a park in the middle of town is also full of oiks and weirdos. Still it’s in the middle of the day, so I guess it will be okay.
We are on holiday and wandering round Gunwharf Quay (much to Tom’s disgust: he hates shopping; funnily enough, he’s the only one who buys something), Rosie gets a call from her best friend, Jude. Apparently some girls – friends of friends (of friends) – are plotting to come to the party and ‘get’ Rosie. Does she still want to go? I am horrified. Who are these girls and what’s this about?? Rosie says she doesn’t even know them, though she saw them in town the other day and they made fun of her by ‘flicking their hair’. Doesn’t sound particularly threatening. I’m a little reassured. Rosie, on the other hand, is mad. She says she’s not going to let them stop her from going to the party and anyway why were they spoiling it for Figs. I’m quite proud of her for this and agree that she should probably go so they could see she’s not intimidated. I think this is probably why they don’t like her - Rosie is glamorous and gutsy. I’d probably be scared of her if I was 14.
I wake up in the night, fearing Rosie is going to be stabbed. At breakfast, Rosie’s Uncle Mike, Aunt Maddy, cousin Jake (who are holidaying with us) and I all try to talk Rosie out of going. Seems we all had the same nightmare. Rosie is bemused. They’re just some stupid girls who’ve taken a dislike to her by reputation (just because she has friends who go to their school). We, however, can imagine the whole thing escalating and who knows who else is going to be hanging round the park and get involved in a spat? “Look,” says Rosie, I’m not going to get in a fight with them, I’m just going to wish Figs Happy Birthday and ignore them. If they want to cause trouble, I’ll just go off with Jude and Jess, but I’m not going to let them stop me from going to the party.” I have to admit that this sounds reasonable and mature. So I say maybe I will hang around in town in case she needs me.
Friday comes and I drop Rosie and Jude in town. She looks scarily pretty in a new dress and hair extensions. (Look at these sunglasses, Mum! They’ll be petrified!) Jude’s hair is neatly groomed and cut, blond fringe and all, and he’s wearing a jacket. The pair of them look fab and sweet. I just want them to have a good time.
I am distracted with Mims’ first day at school, Charlie’s friend John coming over, Freddie, the water-softener man, and a hundred jobs, so don’t stay in town as planned. When I pick Mims up from school, I remember Rosie and am suddenly stricken. I send her a text: RUok? (Apparently, she tells me later, she’s had a ball and made lots of new friends). “I’m cwl.” She texts back. “they s—t bricks! Lol.” Charming. So the scary sunglasses worked then.
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