Caramel Hearts by E.R. Murray Page B

feathers.
    â€œOh, those? It was my counsellor’s idea. Said it would be therapeutic. Nowhere near as good as I used to be.”
    â€œI wish I could draw like that,” says Hatty.
    I sit in the seat near the window and continue flicking through the drawings.
    â€œCan I draw you?” asks Mam.
    When I look up, her face is beaming towards me.
    â€œSure,” I say, taken aback. “Where shall I sit?”
    â€œYou’re perfect where you are,” says Mam, snatching up her sketchbook and pencil. “The light is just right.”
    Mam draws standing up. The sound of the lead scratching against the paper is soothing and the sun warms my neck. Hatty has the biggest smile on her face as she stands behind Mam, nodding as the image forms on the page. It’s like old times, and I almost forget where we are.
    â€œIt looks like you already,” says Hatty. “Mam, you should see Liv’s drawings. She’s getting really good – must get it from you.”
    â€œShe’s a talented girl,” says Mam. When my jaw drops she adds, “Liv, don’t fidget! It’ll go wrong.”
    The scratching goes on for another ten minutes and I find it harder and harder to stay still. Mam has to remind me a few times, but soon she stops and holds the paper out.
    â€œThat’s brilliant!” says Harriet. “You’ve got her eyes just right.”
    â€œâ€œNo, no. It won’t do at all,” says Mam, staring at the drawing.
    â€œIt’s great!” says Harriet, throwing me a worried look.
    â€œCan I see?” I ask. “Can I have it?”
    â€œLet Liv see, Mam,” tries Harriet.
    But Mam’s face clouds over as she scrutinizes her work.
    â€œToo much fidgeting. And the eyes… yours are much more beautiful.”
    Moving to my side, Hatty rests a hand on my shoulder. “It’s lovely, Mam, honest,” she says. “A perfect likeness.”
    â€œLet’s have a look,” I say, getting to my feet, but before I can see the drawing, Mam rips it into four pieces. The pieces drop to the ground and a single eye stares up at me.
    â€œI’ll do another one – a better one,” she says. “Only the best for my girls.”
    I try to smile, but it feels sticky on my face. Suddenly, the orange walls feel overly bright. I make my excuses and go to the loo. When I return, the pieces have been cleared away, the TV’s on and it seems Mam has forgotten all about drawing. Hatty gives me an apologetic look as she listens to Mam’s recap of what’s been happening up to this point on Downton Abbey .

Chapter Fourteen
    Clues in the Curve of His Shoulders
    I try calling Sarah from the landline, but there’s no answer, and I’ve no credit to text. I scroll through my phonebook and realize most of the people in there are either relatives or they aren’t even friends any more. It’s like Facebook – hundreds of contacts, but none I can actually contact to hang out with in real life.
    Hatty is shut up in her room and I decide it’s best to leave her alone after this morning’s upset. I check the weather, put my lightest jacket on, then head out for a walk to clear my head. Without realizing where I’m going, I end up at the shops. They’re closed, except for the chippy, but the place is throbbing with people my age. There’s music blasting – some dance stuff I can’t stand – and I squint into the distance, trying to decide whether I should join in or avoid it like the plague. Unexpectedly, my knee gives way behind – someone has knocked into it on purpose, making my leg buckle.
    â€œWhat the—?”
    As I spin round, I recognize his deep laugh before I see Jack’s face.
    â€œGot ya!”
    â€œYeah, thanks a lot,” I say, any annoyance falling away as soon as I see his smile.
    Seeing as I’m facing back towards home, I decide to avoid the crowd. But