It was just after four o’clock, Monday’s classes were over, and the girls were outside the school gate. ‘I’m not lookin’ for anyone,’ said Trary. West Square’s two schools, adjacent each other, disgorged boys and girls. ‘Not that boy you went home with last week?’ said Jane. ‘Which one was that?’ asked Trary in casual style. ‘You know,’ said Jane. ‘Crikey, is he gone on you? Wasn’t he something? Where’d you find him? His name’s not really Dick Turpin, is it? Are you standing here waiting for him?’ ‘Honestly, Jane Atkins, what a question,’ said Trary. ‘I don’t stand anywhere waitin’ for boys, I’m just standin’ here with you.’ ‘Watcher, girls, walk you to the Elephant?’ Two West Square boys had crept up on them. ‘Oh, lor’,’ said Trary, making a face, ‘it’s our unlucky day, Jane.’ The boys grinned and started chatting. Jane responded, and Trary, actually a friendly girl, did her best to keep the conversation from getting soppy.
