Leap of Faith (19 page)

She slipped an arm around me. ‘Do you think it might be time to take a break? You barely even stopped for your tea.’

‘I don’t need a break. I need to think of some convincing lies that will persuade a bunch of doddering idiots that I am very sweet and honest and an obvious choice as a prefect.’

‘You’re taking this prefect business very seriously.’

She was laughing at me. ‘I do take things seriously sometimes, you know. It’s nice that people have got this image of me as being all super happy and light all the time, but I am quite capable of being serious too.’

‘I know you are. I’m your Mum. I remember that project on Egyptians at primary school when you built a papier mache pyramid, complete with the burial chamber inside. And I remember the night before your first ever exam. I know you don’t like it to get out, but I do know how hard you work on things that are important to you.’

‘Keep that to yourself, will you? We’ll let the rest of the world think I’m naturally brilliant.’

‘You are naturally brilliant, love, and when you want to be, you’re also a good worker. I’m very proud of you for that, but I don’t like to see you getting upset and I’m wondering why this prefect interview is so important, because keeping the rules and supporting the teachers has never been one of your special interests before.’

I took a deep breath and for some stupid reason a little tear leaked out of the corner of my eye.

‘I just wanted to do a good interview,’ I sniffed. ‘Everything has gone wrong recently. I keep messing things up: I upset Megs over that French exchange business, now I’ve upset Ethan, even though I honestly did try to tell him his girlfriend was cheating. And I’ve got so much work to do before the exams. I thought this would be something I could do; everybody else seems to think I can ace it so I just . . .’ Two more tears leaked out.

Mum hugged me. ‘I’m sorry you’re having a tough time, darling. Friends have their ups and downs. Everything is fine with Megs now, isn’t it?’

I nodded.

‘Megan loves you. I can tell that all your friends think you’re great. I’m sorry if Ethan is cross, maybe you can talk to him about it?’

‘Maybe.’

‘As for the exams, just do your best. It won’t be the end of world if you fail them.’

‘I’m not going to fail them! I never said anything about failing them!’

Mum laughed. ‘Then try not to get too stressed; it doesn’t matter if you’re not top of the class.’

Obviously it does matter, and I don’t think I’m going to be able to avoid getting stressed, but it was still nice to hear her say that.

There was some more hugging.

‘Now, about this prefect interview. This is voluntary, isn’t it? Are you sure you really want to do it?’

I thought about it. ‘I do. I think it will be fun. You get to be in charge of stuff and I am good at organising things.’

‘You mean you’re bossy?’

‘Yes.’

‘Okay, but I don’t want you to tie yourself up in knots about this interview. I have to say that I’ve always found you’re ready with a smart answer even without rehearsals.’

That’s true.

‘So maybe you should just take the interview as it comes, be your usual energetic, persuasive self and if that’s not what they’re looking for, stuff ‘em.’

Which is quite good advice when you think about it.

LATER

I feel a lot better. I’m pretty sure I can convince some old people that I’m not as bad as I look. After all, I do it with Granny all the time. Exam-wise, I just have to make sure I revise every day. I already know more now than I did a week ago, so I’ve made a good start.

And as for Ethan, I’ve decided that I want him to know that I did try to tell him about Spawn, but ultimately if he’s going to hold a mistake against me and stop liking me because I’m not perfect, then that’s his loss.

WEDNESDAY 4TH JULY

I was so determined to speak to Ethan that I met the boys arriving for debating club at the gates.

‘Ethan? Can I speak to you?’ I asked.

‘You can,’ he said, without looking at me properly. ‘But whether you do seems to depend on if you’ve got something that you really ought to tell me. Because I find if you have then you usually don’t speak.’

I wasn’t going to let his sarcasm get to me. ‘It’s hardly fair to say “usually”. I’ve only failed to tell that your girlfriend is snogging someone else once.’

‘As far as I know.’

‘It was only once, I promise.’

‘It doesn’t matter.’ He carried on striding across the car park.

‘It does matter,’ I said, trying to match his pace. ‘I feel terrible that I didn’t tell you. The thing is that, apparently, I’ve got quite a big mouth and for once in my life I didn’t want to just blurt out something if it was the wrong thing to do.’

He pushed open the door to the English block and turned back to look at me. ‘How could it be the wrong thing to do?’

All the reasons that I had originally come up with disappeared from my mind. ‘Believe it or not, I did actually decide to tell you, but you rushed off after debating club last week, so I thought I’d tell you on Friday, at the park, but you didn’t turn up then either.’

He took the stairs two at a time. ‘And your texting thumbs were in plaster?’

‘That didn’t seem like a particularly sensitive way to break the news.’

‘For future reference, if you think that someone is cheating on me, you can definitely let me know by text. Or telegram. Or a badger who enjoys running errands. Just so long as you tell me.’

‘I will, I promise I will.’

‘Yeah, well, you probably won’t get the opportunity. I’m off relationships, they all seem to end badly.’

‘Not always.’

He shrugged. There was a pause. We were stood in the doorway of Mrs Lloyd-Winterson’s classroom by this point and I wondered if I should just leave it, but then he gave this big sigh.

‘Listen Faith, I didn’t mean to have a tantrum the other night.’ He pushed his curls off his face and he looked so miserable that my heart hurt. ‘I’m sorry for being horrible,’ he said. ‘I shouldn’t take things out on you.’

‘That’s okay.’

His mouth did something that was almost a smile, but sadder and bitterer, then he dropped into a chair next to Cameron. His face was pale and there were rings around his eyes. I wanted to give him a hug, but I don’t think our reconciliation has got that far yet.

I hope he’s all right.

THURSDAY 5TH JULY

Prefect interviews tomorrow.

Still, it’s really just half an hour of talking about myself.

I do that most Geography lessons.

FRIDAY 6TH JULY

I was worried about who would be on the panel for my interview. I was just praying that it wouldn’t be Miss Ramsbottom.

Or any of the other teachers that I’ve tormented and harassed.

Which doesn’t leave that many.

Fortunately, when I walked into the interview room, the three people I found were Miss Linnie, the new Art teacher who I’ve never even spoken to, Mrs Lloyd-Winterson and a woman I didn’t recognise.

‘Good afternoon, Faith,’ the unknown lady said. ‘I am chairperson of the school governors.’ She looked like a Granny in an advert for sweets, with grey hair and a floral dress. I bet she’s never worn a grass skirt.

‘Good afternoon,’ I said as if I completely meant it.

‘We’re going to ask you a few questions. If there’s anything you can’t answer just say so.’

She smiled and I smiled back. I don’t think there’s ever been any question that I didn’t have an answer for.

I sat down and they all picked up their pens. Governor Lady cleared her throat. ‘What qualities do you think a prefect needs, Faith?’

I’d thought about this one. ‘I think a prefect needs to be an excellent communicator. Part of the prefects’ role is representing the student body to the Leadership team. Obviously, you need to have a clear understanding of the needs of other students and you need to be able to communicate them. Prefects also represent the school in other areas, like the City Youth Council and I think confident, clear communication is important to enable them to represent the school in its best light.’

They nodded their heads and scribbled some things down, which I took as a good sign. Of course, they could have been writing
Has the eyes of a serial killer who hides bodies down wells
but I’m trying to stay positive.

‘What experiences have you had that you think will help to make you a good prefect?’ Miss Linnie asked.

Given that prefects are mostly used for herding unruly Year Seven and Eights I think that time I couldn’t find the remote and was forced to watch a programme about how lions manage to position gazelles right where they can sink their teeth into them is probably the most relevant experience I’ve had, but instead I said, ‘I think every day at Westfield high has helped to prepare me for being a prefect. The school has taught me to use my initiative; to recognise the needs of others; and, most of all, what a difference it makes when people work together.’

I thought I might have gone a bit far there on the sick-making scale, but they were all beaming like headlights so I pressed on. ‘I’ve been a keen member of the choir, which has taught me about commitment. I’ve arranged a Christmas box delivery for the local elderly which was a great opportunity to hone my organisational skills, and I’ve also set up a debating club which has been a brilliant opportunity for us all to improve our speaking skills.’

‘I can vouch for Faith’s commitment to the debating club,’ Mrs Lloyd Winterson said.

‘You’re certainly very eloquent,’ Governor Lady said.

I nearly said, you should see me when I’m talking my Dad into giving me the last piece of cheesecake, but I got a hold of myself and smiled instead.

‘If you were to become a perfect,’ Mrs L-W said, ‘what changes would you like to make at Westfield High?’

I controlled the urge to let the power go to my head and instantly dismiss Miss Ramsbottom.

‘I’d like to build on the partnership that exists between the prefects and the teachers, perhaps by increasing the role of the student council. I think it’s important that students feel they have a say in the running of their school.’

Governor Lady put down her pen. ‘Now Faith, we’ve heard a lot about your leadership skills and your influence with your peers, so we would like to ask if you are interested in being considered for the position of head girl?’

I was a little bit surprised by this question. Obviously, I’m a natural choice to run this school. But up until this point it had seemed like maybe the school hadn’t noticed my talents. In fact, Miss Ramsbottom is always putting me into detention for my impressive leadership skills, or what she calls ‘being a bad influence.’ Still, Miss Ramsbottom wasn’t there and I could see that if I used my best persuasive powers, I was in with a good shot at being head girl. I opened my mouth to share my marvellousness with them, but for once in my life that’s not what came out.

Instead, I said, ‘I don’t think I’m the best girl for the role.’

They exchanged nervous glances.

‘But I’ll tell you who is: Angharad Jones would make an excellent head girl. Angharad is the one who first got me interested in applying to be a prefect and her commitment to the school really is inspirational. I’ve talked about debating club, choir, and the Christmas boxes for the elderly; Angharad has been fully immersed in those projects and she also took a lead role in the Green Schools conference. She’s also captain of the netball team and a student mentor.’

Miss Linnie and Mrs L-W exchanged glances. Governor Lady frowned a little. ‘Well, thank you for the recommendation, Faith, but I’m sure Angharad can tell us about her achievements.’

‘But that’s just it! She won’t, she’s too modest. She won’t tell you that she’s likely to get the highest marks in the mocks, or that, unlike most of the girls you see today who have both friends and enemies, Angharad is universally well liked and respected. And that includes the younger girls because she takes an interest in them and gives up her time to help tutor the ones who are struggling in maths.’

‘I see.’ Governor Lady made some notes. ‘It certainly has been very interesting to hear this. Thank you, Faith, it’s been a real pleasure meeting you.’

I’m not sure that you’re supposed to start promoting other candidates when you’re in an interview, but I have always been quite good at telling people what to do.

Anyway, Angharad has always supported me and it’s obvious that she’d be a great head girl.

SATURDAY 7TH JULY

This morning I tried not to think about Ethan. I would have preferred to distract myself by wearing a prom dress and a million pounds worth of jewellery, while attending a film premiere, but instead I was stuck with memorising the carbon cycle. This afternoon I revised with the girls at Ang’s house. I got more done by myself but it was more fun and more chocolatey with the others.

SUNDAY 8TH JULY

Mocks start tomorrow.

I don’t know who first thought up mock exams. I’m pretty sure that Miss Ramsbottom had something to do with it.

We all know that GCSEs are big scary exams that affect your whole future and just to make sure you don’t forget this, you get to sit in the tense, silent hall with teachers scowling to remind you how serious and important it all is. Who thought that recreating that scenario a whole year before the real thing was a good idea? Basically, we’re practising for being stressed out and terrified by being stressed out and terrified.

Great.

I’m stressed out and terrified.

MONDAY 9TH JULY

Biology exam this morning. At lunchtime we collapsed in a heap.

‘I don’t think my brain is designed for memorising the structure of a cell and all that sort of thing,’ Lily said.

I knew I shouldn’t, but I couldn’t help myself from asking, ‘What is your brain designed for?’

She screwed up her face in concentration. ‘It sort of sends me pictures.’

‘Pictures?’

‘Yeah, like what I’m going to have for lunch, or how cool my new socks would look with green baseball boots.’

‘So you’re saying you’ve got a mind for leisure rather than the book stuff?’ I asked.