Read The New Girl for Free Online

on his shoulders caught the light.
    â€œThe official title is Chief Murray,” he said. Then he smiled. It reminded Lila of the flash of sunlight they’d seen on Heartside beach earlier. “But you can call me Greg.”
    Lila wanted to cringe. That was typical of her dad. Unnerving you one minute, and turning friendly the next. Polly smiled back uncertainly.
    â€œHow was your first day, Lil?” asked her dad. “Not in trouble yet, I hope.”
    Why did he have to embarrass her with a question like that? It wasn’t much of a morale boost. She was trying her best. At some point he had to forgive her.
    â€œI was a model student,” she said shortly. “And I’m calling myself Lila now.”
    â€œOh yes, your mum told me,” said her dad in a jovial voice. “Talking of which, is your mum back yet? I’m starving.”
    The front door opened on cue. The smell of heavily vinegared fish and chips wafted down the hall, bringing Tim and Alex tumbling out of the living room and adding to the general squeeze at the foot of the stairs.
    Lila’s mum peered over a stack of greasy paper bags at the crowd in the hallway. “Boys!” she protested as Tim and Alex peppered her cheeks with kisses. “You should have let me know you were coming. I’ve only got fish and chips for three.” She caught sight of Polly. “Oh, hello. . .”
    â€œI’d better be going,” said Polly, backing towards the front door.
    Lila felt dismayed. Her family was a nightmare . “You don’t have to,” she said, starting after her friend.
    â€œI do,” Polly muttered, holding her bag tightly against her. “See you at school tomorrow, OK? Nice to meet you all.”
    She squeezed out of the front door and was gone.
    â€œPolly!” Lila hurried through the front door. What had happened? Had she done something to annoy her? Had her dad? Her brothers? She felt panicky at the thought of school tomorrow, Polly ignoring her along with everyone else. But Polly had already vanished into the gloom.
    â€œIt’s probably best, Lil,” said her dad, in his bossy family-time voice as Lila came slowly back inside.
    â€œIt’s Lila now, Greg,” her mum scolded. She gave Lila an encouraging smile. “She seemed nice, love. Sorry I wasn’t able to say a proper hello. Boys, get the plates out.”
    â€œFirst things first,” said Lila’s dad. He held out his hand. “Phones.”
    â€œI don’t have to do that any more,” said Alex. “I’m an adult , Dad.”
    â€œYes you do,” said Lila’s dad firmly. “This is family time, whether you’re fifteen or twenty. Hand it over.”
    Alex muttered, but passed over his phone. Tim did the same. They knew their dad too well to offer any serious argument. Lila was about to hand hers over too when she froze. She had remembered something crucial.
    â€œCome on, Lila,” said her dad impatiently. “There’s a plate of fish and chips in the kitchen with my name on it.”
    She hadn’t deleted the string of texts she’d got from Santiago. The last thing she needed was her dad knowing she was still in touch with him.
    â€œI . . . I think I left it in my room,” she stuttered.
    Buzz.
    â€œI don’t think so,” said her dad, pointedly looking at her pocket.
    There was a crash from the kitchen, and the sound of swearing. It sounded like her mum had dropped something. Her dad and her brothers all looked round at the interruption.
    Seizing her chance, Lila yanked her phone from her pocket and frantically pressed DELETE ALL. The texts winked at her for a half a second, and the screen went blank.
    She pressed her phone into her dad’s outstretched hand. She hoped he couldn’t feel the way her fingers were shaking.
    That had been close.

SEVEN
    Lila kept her head down on the walk to school the next day. The weather