The Friends Forever Collection. Jean Ure

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      “Bless you!” Harriet slammed the glove compartment shut and blew me a kiss. “You’ve saved my bacon. I should have rung half an hour ago! I’ll just pull up in this lay-by … mustn’t use a mobile while you’re driving. Very dangerous!”

      I thought that Mum would approve of that. When we had gone to Alton Towers – the time I got sick and it sprayed over the door. On the outside, I should add – Annie’s dad had done lots of talking on his mobile. Mum had said afterwards that she hadn’t liked to say anything, as it wasn’t her car, but she had been on tenterhooks the whole time. So that was ten out of ten for Harriet. Hooray!

      I felt very privileged and important, sitting next to a famous author as she rang home. I wondered who she was going to talk to. Could it be Lori? I knew it wouldn’t be her husband ’cos I’d read somewhere that she was divorced.

      Harriet pulled a face. “Answerphone … I hate when it’s the answerphone!”

      Me, too. I knew how she felt. Sometimes if I get an answerphone I just hang up, though I know it’s a bit rude and you ought really to say who you are and leave a message, which was what Harriet was doing.

      “Darling, where are you? This is Mummy here! Where have you gone?” She sounded a bit upset. I guessed that Lori had gone off without telling her. “Can you hear me? Are you listening? Please speak to me! If you’re there … please! Pick up!”

      Just for a moment it was like really tense. Even Annie must have felt it. She leaned forward intently across the back of the seat as we waited for Lori to pick up the phone. But she didn’t.

      “Call me,” whispered Harriet. “Please, darling, call me!”

      After that there was this long silence, and then she gave a little laugh, sort of half ashamed, like pulling herself together, and said, “Oh, dear! Mothers do worry so. Does your mother worry, Megan?”

      I said that she did.

      “Megan’s mum gets into total flaps,” said Annie.

      “I’m afraid I do, too. You just never know … what might have happened …” Harriet’s voice faded out.

      Trying to be helpful, I said, “Couldn’t you try her mobile?”

      “Her mobile? No, she doesn’t have a mobile. If only she had had a mobile. She’s not answering … she doesn’t answer … I hope you have your mobile with you, Annie?”

      Annie confessed that she hadn’t. “We came out in such a rush. I think it’s on the kitchen table.”

      “That’s naughty! What would you do if Megan’s ran out?”

      “Find a call box,” said Annie.

      “Not good enough! You should always take your phone with you. If only—” Harriet stopped. “Well, anyway!” she said. “Let’s get on. I’m so sorry if I’m sounding a bit vague, but I’m in the middle of writing a new book and it’s going round and round in my head.”

      “What’s it called?” said Annie. “Has it got a title?”

      “Um … yes. How about … Jampot Jane?”

      I giggled. Annie, in her bold way, said, “That’s a funny title! What’s it about?”

      “I’m afraid I can’t tell you that,” said Harriet. “I never discuss my books before they’re published!”

      I hoped that Annie felt properly put in her place. Such nosiness! It was one thing to be a fan, and to show interest; but to poke and pry was just bad manners.

      “I’ll keep the phone by me, Megan, if I may,” said Harriet, “just in case. And I’ll try to stop thinking about work and concentrate on you, instead. This is your birthday treat, and I want you to enjoy it.”

      RACHEL’S DIARY (THURSDAY)

      I am just so absolutely ANNOYED. That little fat freak and her skinny little friend have gone and done a runner. They have had the NERVE to leave me a note. Gone to tea with Harriet, whoever Harriet is. How dare they??? They know perfectly well they’re not supposed to go off without telling me. They’d better just get back before Mum comes home or we shall all be in trouble. AND it hasn’t taken its phone with it. What’s the point of having a mobile if it’s just going to leave it lying around on the kitchen table when it goes out? It shouldn’t be out! It’s just taking a mean advantage. It thinks it can get away with it because I daren’t tell Mum. It’s a rotten thing to do! It knows how I feel about Ty.

      Oh, and I was so happy! It’s Jem’s day off so me and Ty had lunch together, all by ourselves. He’s going to call round at seven on Saturday, to take me to the party. Jem is going as well, with Kieron, so it should be lots of fun.