She gave a big, long, feeling-sorry-for-herself sigh. Two and a half weeks till Christmas, and what did she have to look forward to? A big fat nothing – that’s what.That morning Tara had invited her to an early Christmas party in her house. It was going to be on Friday, straight after school. But how could Elma go? Who’d mind the boys?The more she thought about it, the crosser she got. It just wasn’t fair. All the girls in her class were going, even the ones who weren’t one bit friendly with Tara. Even the ones who made fun of her London accent behind her back.It just wasn’t fair. Soon Elma was stamping along the pavement, viciously kicking stones out of her way.She felt a small hand slip into hers. It was Zac. ‘What’s wrong, El?’ he asked.Elma gave another big sigh. She didn’t usually confide in the boys, but this time she couldn’t stop herself. ‘I want to go to Tara’s party, and I can’t.’Zac squeezed her hand tighter. ‘Poor Elma,’ he said.
