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urgently at Becky from her side of the table.
    â€œThat would be great, Mrs Cranmer. But do you think my sister could help too? And Saima? She and Fran can draw some hearts and arrows and things, can’t you?”
    â€œCupids with bows, stuff like that?” asked Annabel hopefully. She loved doing this kind of thing and it sounded brilliant.
    Mrs Cranmer looked delighted. “Excellent. This is such a relief – normally I’d get the Year Elevens to help, but they’re swamped with coursework. Thanks, all of you – see you in the art room at lunchtime!”
    All of this meant that Katie, who was really not that artistic and hadn’t wanted to join in, hardly saw her sisters, and when she did they were still so obsessed with pink and gold and heart-shaped cut-outs that she wished they’d stayed in the art room.
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    Katie wasn’t sure whether or not to be grateful that there were no more notes – she really didn’t want another one, of course, but she felt completely on edge. Every time she opened her rucksack she felt like she had to hunt carefully through all her stuff to make sure there wasn’t another fateful note lurking somewhere inside. At least if there was it would put a stop to the suspense. She was worried that she was annoying Megan as well. Her friend was being really nice about the whole thing, but Katie felt like she hadn’t done anything all week except tear the whole note thing apart from every possible angle, and make Megan do it with her. It was as though Megan had to stand in for both Becky and Bel, and that meant a lot of listening. It was a relief when the weekend came and Katie was safely away from any note-writing boys.
    It was back to normal for this Saturday’s football training – no celebrities, just Mrs Ross and a lot of hard work. As usual, Mum dropped Katie off in the car. Katie grabbed her bag and leaned over to give her mum a kiss goodbye.
    â€œSee you later, Mum!”
    â€œHang on, darling, I thought I might come and watch.” Mrs Ryan uncoiled herself from the driving seat, and started to root through the junk in the back for her handbag.
    Katie stared at her. “Why? It’s just normal practice this time, not like last week.”
    â€œBut it’s OK for parents to come and watch, isn’t it?” Mum had finally found all her stuff and was locking the car.
    â€œWell, yeah, but you’ve never wanted to come before.”
    Katie sometimes felt that it was hard enough getting her family to come to matches, let alone turn up to practice as well. It was one more reason why she really missed Dad – he’d have been there like a shot, but most of the time she just had to make do with his encouraging emails from Egypt. Katie shot several confused looks at Mum as they walked over to the playing fields, but she didn’t notice – she seemed to be gazing into space, smiling to herself.
    When they reached the pitch, she grinned at Katie. “Hadn’t you better go and get ready? Have a good time!” she said as she stationed herself at the edge of the field, and shrugged her scarf up further round her ears.
    Katie went off to find Megan and put her boots on, feeling more puzzled than ever.
    â€œHi Katie! What’s your mum doing here?” Megan looked as surprised as Katie had been as she watched Mrs Ryan saying hello to her dad. He quite often came to watch practices – he was very keen on football and loved watching Megan play. The only problem was he tended to get a bit over-excited when (as he saw it) the referee had got it wrong.
    â€œDon’t ask me! I was saying goodbye to her like normal and she said she was coming to watch – I nearly died of shock. I mean, let alone that she’s never even thought about coming before, it’s raining!”
    It certainly was – only the most dedicated, football-loving parent would be out on such a grim morning. Katie was