Page 119 of Jessica Beam is a Hot Mess
‘Wait! Wait!’
Peach and I spin round, wobbling on our heels. ‘What is it? Have we forgotten something?’
Grandma looks down at her feet. ‘Um, The Facial Book thing you like on the Internet?’
‘Yeah?’
‘How do I . . . locate that on the online computer machine?’
‘You want to go on Facebook?’
Her lips wobble. ‘I might.’ She lifts her chin. ‘I don’t know yet.’
Peach and I look at each other in astonishment and laugh out loud. Loads of bizarre things have happened these past few weeks, but Matilda Beam social networking might just be the weirdest one yet.
I hastily issue Grandma instructions on how to access Facebook on the computer machine and hurry back down the stairs, through the lobby and outside.
Shitballs. Jamie’s there. He’s pacing up and down the pavement in his doctor’s coat, talking into his phone. Probably to Kiko.
When he spots us, he ends the call then drops his mobile, clumsily catching it just before it hits the floor.
‘Hello, Doctor Abernathy!’ Peach says brightly.
‘Hullo!’ he responds, shoving his phone into his trouser pocker. His eyes flicker towards me. He coughs. ‘Hi, Jess.’
‘Hey!’ I give an awkward wave. This is weird. I’ve extra carefully avoided him all week. I have no clue what to say. Peach looks between the two of us curiously.
Jamie swallows hard. ‘You’re so beautiful,’ he says eventually in a soft, low voice.
‘Why, thank you!’ Peach responds, beaming. She smooths down her taffeta skirt. ‘You are too kind, Doctor.’
‘We should probably go now!’ I take Peach’s hand and drag her out to the waiting car. ‘Take care, Jamie! Bye!’
‘Yes … bye.’
I know Jamie watches us as we leave, but I don’t look back.
