‘I know, but … anyway, where are you going with Maria
tonight?’ asked his mum.
‘Broad Street Bar. Th ere’s a great reggae band on,’ said
Jason.
‘Have you told her about going away to art school in
September?’ asked his mum.
‘Yeah. She’s fi ne about it, I think,’ he replied. ‘I can come
home at the weekends.’
‘You won’t …’ his mother began and then stopped.
‘I know what you’re thinking,’ said Jason. ‘But we’re
diff erent. We’ll always be together.’
His mother left the room and went downstairs. ‘Maybe
Jason and Maria are diff erent,’ she thought. ‘Th ey’ve known
each other since they started primary school. But I thought
Simon and I were diff erent, and look what happened.’
‘Mum.’ Jason came into the kitchen. ‘I’m going round to
Maria’s now. I’ll have something to eat at her house. OK?’
‘Have you fi nished your work?’ asked his mum.
‘Yes. Stop asking me. See you later – about twelve. OK?’
And Jason left the house before his mum had time to say
anything else.
Five minutes later the phone rang. Jason’s mum jumped
out of her chair, looked at the phone and thought ‘Simon.’
She answered it. ‘Hello,’ she said in a very quiet voice.
‘Oh, hi, Mrs Campbell. Is Jason there?’
‘Maria!’ Jason’s mum almost shouted her name. ‘No,
sorry, he’s left. He’s on his way to your house.’
‘Oh no!’ said Maria.
‘Is there a problem?’ Jason’s mum asked.
‘No … Yes, I can’t go out with him tonight. But it’s OK,
I’ll tell him when he arrives here,’ answered Maria. ‘Bye.’