18 Mary-Lou
After prep that night Mary-Lou scuttled¹ back to the second-form room, which was now empty except for Gwendoline, who was tidying up.
Mary-Lou went to Daphne’s desk. Gwendoline looked at her jealously. “What do you want in Daphne’s desk? I can take her anything she’s forgotten. I wish you wouldn’t suck up to her so much, Mary-Lou.”
“I don’t,” said Mary-Lou. She opened the desk-lid and fished for the brown-paper parcel, now neatly² tied up with string. “I’m going to the post with this for Daphne. But don’t go and split on me, Gwen. I know it’s against the rules.”
Gwendoline stared at Mary-Lou in surprise. “You breaking the rules!” she said. “I don’t believe you ever did that before. You’re mad to think you can get to the post and back in time.”
“I shall. I’m taking the coast road,” said Mary-Lou, valiantly³, though her heart failed her when she said it. “It’s only ten minutes there and back by that road.”
“Mary-Lou! You must be daft!” said Gwendoline. “There’s a gale⁴ blowing and it’s dark as pitch. You’ll be blown over the cliff as sure as anything.”
“I shan’t,” said Mary-Lou, stoutly⁵, though again her heart sank inside her. “And, anyway, it’s only a small thing to do for a friend. I know Daphne particularly wants this parcel to go today.”
“Daphne isn’t your friend,” said Gwendoline, a flare⁶ of jealousy⁷ coming up in her again.
“She is,” said Mary-Lou, with such certainty that Gwendoline was annoyed.
“Baby!” said Gwendoline, scornfully. “You’re too silly even to see that Daphne only uses you because you can help her with her French. That’s the only reason she puts up with you hanging round her. She’s told me so.”

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