Read Online Girls Out Late by Jacqueline Wilson - Free Book Online Page B

dad kicked up merry hell because the lad was late back on Thursday night. Apparently he hadn’t deigned to tell his dad he was going walkabout after school and when he sauntered home at midnight he was so angry with him he wouldn’t let him out at all yesterday, even though young Russell begged and pleaded and moaned and groaned. So he couldn’t meet you at your special trysting place—which is just as well because you were similarly shut up by your equally outraged parent. Yes?”
    “Yes, yes, right! So what else did Russell say?”
    “Not a lot. He seemed a little dismayed by my reaction. I was extremely angry with the young man. He had no right to purloin you and whisk you off to the park.”
    “You didn’t really get cross with him, did you, Dad? I can’t
believe
this. He didn’t stand me up? He really couldn’t help it? And he went all over the place trying to track me down this afternoon just to explain?”
    “
Just
to explain?” says Dad. “He needed to explain until he was blue in the face. Positively ultramarine.”
    “Oh, Dad, you weren’t really heavy with him, were you?”
    “You bet I was. That young man won’t dare so much as blink in your direction without my say-so. And I say
no.
”
    I stare at Dad, desperate to suss whether he’s serious or not. I think he’s teasing me, but I can’t be sure. I just wish Anna was here and she could sort him out for me. Why did Russell have to come round when I was
out,
for heaven’s sake! But imagine—going from house to house asking for me. That sounds like he’s really serious about seeing me!
    “So what exactly did he say, Dad?”
    “I told you, I did nearly all the talking.”
    “And how was it left?”
    Dad shrugs. “I think he sees the error of his ways.”
    “
Dad.
I wish you wouldn’t be so annoying. I mean, did Russell say anything about . . . seeing me again?”
    Dad shakes his head. “Certainly not, seeing as I’d expressly forbidden it.”
    “You didn’t! Really, truly, you said I couldn’t go out with him?” I’m still pretty sure he’s winding me up but I can hear my voice getting shrill all the same.
    “Really, truly . . . possibly!” Dad says.
    “Did he suggest seeing me or not?”
    “You always insist you’re a liberated young woman. Maybe
you
should make the running.
If
I were to allow you out again, which I doubt.”
    “So how can I make the running, Dad? Did Russell tell you his address?”
    “Nope.”
    “He really didn’t?”
    Dad shakes his head but he’s still got that irritating grin on his face.
    “So how can I get in touch with him? Do I have to go on an equivalent quest all around Pembridge Park?”
    “You could,” says Dad. “Or he could have jotted it down in this letter.” He brings out an envelope from his pocket and waves it in the air at me.
    I snatch it and tear it open. My eyes skitter down the page. “See you—I
HOPE
! Russell.” And a little picture.
    My heart is thudding.
    “Well?” says Dad.
    Aha! It’s his turn to be curious.
    “Yes, he’s very well,” I say, smiling.
    “And you are now too, I take it?” says Dad.
    “Yep.” I dance off to the kitchen and make myself a cup of coffee, reading Russell’s letter while the kettle boils. Then I read his letter again while I drink my coffee. And again and again.
    Dear Ellie,
    I’m so so so so extra sorry. I felt so bad about not
being able to make it on Friday night. And kind of humiliated too, because my dad went completely off his
head and wouldn’t let me out simply because he got
fussed last night.
    I can’t
believe
his attitude—and it’s bloody hypocritical too, going on about what I’m getting up to
when he’s smooching all over our house with his
girlfriend. But anyway, he can’t keep me locked up
permanently. Will you meet me after school on
Monday—at McDonald’s? I’ll be there as soon as I can
make it—around twenty to four. I’ll wait for you and
hope very much that you’ll come. I’ll be the one