Read Online Vintage by Maxine Linnell - Free Book Online Page B

mind?”
    â€œThey’re all so spotty and stupid.”
    â€œI suppose they are.”
    â€œAre you interested in Tony? I thought you were.”
    â€œNobody’s interested in me.” Back on track now. Poor old Marilyn. No self esteem at all. Fashion sense to match.
    â€œHe asked you, didn’t he?”
    I didn’t realise Marilyn had someone already. “Did he tell you?”
    â€œNo, stupid, you did. You said he’d asked you out, but you turned him down.”
    â€œYeah. Not sure I was right though. He’s not so bad, for a boy.”
    â€œNo. And beggars can’t be choosers.”
    I’d take offence at that. But perhaps Marilyn wouldn’t. Perhaps it was right. But Sheila’s going on. Looks down at her fingernails.
    â€œWhat do you think of Alan?”
    I play for time. “Alan?”
    â€œYou know, the one from the Co-op. He works in the back on Saturdays. My mam says he’s a good catch. His dad’s got his own business.”
    â€œDo you like him?”
    She blushes and squirms. “Don’t know.”
    These people can’t talk about how they feel. Not emotionally literate.
    I could do with a good scream.

Kyle handed Marilyn the mobile. The crying was forgotten, but they were awkward with each other.
    â€œThere. Now you can text whoever you like.”
    â€œThis – looks a bit different from what I’m used to.”
    Kyle hit his forehead with his hand. “Hey, it’s a different make. Your dad must have got you an upgrade. I’ll show you how it works.”
    He took her through how to send texts, though Marilyn didn’t know how it would work. And who would send her a text?
    â€œI’ll send you one.” Kyle seemed to be enjoying teaching her about the mobile. He even looked brighter.
    â€œYou’d be a good teacher,” she said shyly, looking at him in the eyes for the first time.
    He smiled. “Maybe when I’ve done with being rich and famous and everything I’ll give it all up. Offer my services to some uni.”
    He got out his own mobile and typed with his thumbs, so fast that Marilyn couldn’t believe he could do it. He pressed a final button.
    â€œThere you are.”
    Nothing happened for a while and they both looked at her mobile. Then it almost leapt out of her hand and made a loud noise.
    A message saying ‘show’ came up, and she pressed the middle button.
    She read the message: “UR my best m8.”
    Marilyn read it, and looked up at Kyle again. They both smiled. She noticed the little creases by Kyle’s eyes.
    â€œI’ve put in the contacts, you know, from my list. So you can see who it’s from, and you can send them out.”
    Marilyn pressed the reply button and slowly typed in a message, turning aside so Kyle wouldn’t see.
    â€œUR my friend 2. From Marilyn.”
    She pressed send. Then before they could both get very embarrassed Kyle’s phone began to play a tune.
    â€œIt’s my dad,” he said, pulling a face.
    He spoke to his dad for a while, or rather listened. Marilyn went over to the strange keyboard and touched some of the keys, but nothing happened.
    â€œI’m going to have to go,” Kyle said as he put the mobile back in his pocket. “Family meeting about all my sins. My brother and my dad. If I don’t go now I’ll be grounded for tonight.”
    â€œWhat about the research?” Marilyn didn’t want him to go.
    â€œWe’ll get on to it tomorrow. Sorry.” Kyle looked unhappy and Marilyn gave him another hug.
    â€œI’ll come round about half nine.”
    â€œIn the morning?”
    â€œNo, tonight! For the club, remember?”
    â€œThat late?” Marilyn had dropped her guard.
    â€œIt’ll take ages to get ready – and we can’t get there much before eleven. Nobody will be there before then. Then things will start to happen. You could warn your mum