Caramel Hearts by E.R. Murray Page A

across her throat. I quickly look away, but it’s pointless. I’m out of favour. And I’m going to pay. I decide to wait for Maddy to leave, in case I make a wrong move and set her off, but the door behind me crashes open and reality hits.
    â€œSorry, Jack – I have to go!”
    Running as fast as I can, I hurtle out of the school gates and across the Rec, the wind burning my eyes and throat as I gasp for breath. Feet and heart pounding, I hope that no one sees me legging it across the field, that no one meets Jack and starts asking questions. It’s bad enough that I bashed into him wearing my rucksack geek-style and then ran off for no reason. Jack must already think I’m a total loser. But a thief? Even though he’d never be interested in me, I’d die if Jack knew what I’d done.
    * * *
    As soon as I’m home, I shout hello as I run upstairs, whack on Johnny Cash full blast, and then kneel on my bedroom floor. Blocking my door in case Harriet tries to come in, I rifle through the bag. I dance in time to Johnny, checking one compartment at a time. It really sucks when I open the driving licence and Mrs Snelling’s happy face smiles out – I hadn’t even considered it would belong to her. Hadn’t considered who it would belong to at all. I stop dancing and continue my search. I find cherry lip-salve, tissues, keys and a few utility bills. The purse has exactly £91.80 in it, along with a graduation photo of some guy with ginger hair. Probably Mrs Snelling’s son, judging by the hair.
    I should be ecstatic – I’ve never had so much money, and can buy loads of ingredients now – but deep down, I feel like a right scumbag. I’m no better than the smackhead in the news last week, who clobbered an old lady over the head for a few measly quid. Mrs Snelling helped me when I needed it. If only the bag had belonged to someone else.
    After returning all of its contents to their correct compartments, I throw the bag into my wardrobe and bury it underneath a heap of clothes. I slouch back against the door – why did I have to listen to Maddy? What have I done?

Chapter Sixteen
    In Full Swing, Marching Up and Down
    â€œHey, sorry I m-missed you after school, Liv. I’d have waited longer if I could, but you kn-know how Mam worries. What happened to you, anyway?”
    Sarah looks at me suspiciously – she thinks I sneaked off again.
    â€œI wasn’t sure about the homework, so I stayed back to ask about it.”
    It’s amazing how fast lies can come out of my mouth sometimes. Sarah raises an eyebrow but I’m ready for her. I roll my eyes dramatically.
    â€œI know, since when did I care? Hatty’s on my case.”
    â€œYou look knackered.”
    â€œThanks! Glad I can count on you for moral support.”
    It’s enough to stop the questions. If I could tell Sarah about the bag, she’d know what to do. But I know how much she hates stealing, and I still haven’t made it up to her properly for ditching her for Mad Dog. I hardly slept a wink last night, worrying – but Sarah can’t bail me out this time.
    â€œLet’s get school over with. Another day of imprisonment and torture!” I say.
    â€œIt’s not that bad.”
    I give Sarah my best “have you got two heads” look.
    â€œWe’ve got Careers Studies after registration class,” she says. “We’ll see more of Chris today!”
    â€œYou’re obsessed. It’s embarrassing,” I say, turning my face away in case I blush. I wish Jack was in Careers Studies too.
    We giggle the rest of the way to school. When we get there, it’s like a disturbed ant nest. Thousands of pupils in burgundy uniforms swamp the corridors. Our usually calm registration teacher, Mrs Pearl, flaps and fusses as she redirects us to the Main Hall. A whole-school assembly has been called.
    â€œI wonder what’s up with her,”