Twiggy: That's fab! So you're gonna see her again?

I looked back at my computer screen.

Barnaby Rudge: Yeah, Saturday after next. Hey Twigs, are you still talking to Joey? We were talking just now but she's gone quiet.

Another long pause.

Twiggy: Yeah, I'm talking to her now.

Barnaby Rudge: Is she doing well? She said she wasn't happy just now.

Twiggy: Seems to be, yeah.

I stared at the screen again, thinking for the hundredth time that I ought to kill this conversation and carry on with some work. A rumble in my stomach, however, told me it was nearly dinner time. I glanced up at the yellow clock on my wall; 6.30 p.m.

Barnaby Rudge: Twigs, I'm gonna go get something to eat.

Twiggy: Sure. Be back later?

Barnaby Rudge: Try and stop me!

Twiggy: You know we ain't done any virtual karate for a while. Fancy an arse-kicking later?

Barnaby Rudge: You're on!

I sent a quick message to Joey to tell her I was leaving and she sent me one back, her message littered with apologies 'cos she'd gone quiet on me. I grinned and told her it was fine, then said good-bye to her and Twiggy, not waiting for a reply this time. Instead I logged off and headed downstairs where I was greeted by the sound of pots and pans being clattered about by Mum and a smell of something spicy in the kitchen that made my mouth water and suddenly made me realise just how hungry I was.

I got kinda caught up in college work for the next few days, only managing to text Fickle a few times throughout the day rather than our usual twenty or so daily texts to each other. I'd done nothing all week but think about her and think about seeing her on the following Saturday, and not being able to catch up with her properly had nearly killed me. Finally, on Friday, I decided I'd done enough college work all week to warrant being allowed a night in front of the computer without feeling guilty for neglecting work.

I brought up a train website on the screen and started looking for trains for the following Saturday, to Birmingham again. Feeling a warm glow of contentment inside me, happy that it was only eight days until I'd see Fickle again, I grabbed my bank card and booked the same 10.00 a.m. train that I'd caught last week. This time, though, I booked an open return, thinking with a kinda smug satisfaction that there was no way I'd be bailing out on her early again this time.

I snatched up my phone and instinctively rang Fickle to tell her I'd booked, and that she should get her arse moving and book her train too. She picked up within two rings and I felt, as I always did when I heard her voice, my heart quicken slightly.

"Hey," she said, in her gorgeous, soft voice.

"Hey you," I replied. "So, I've booked my train for next Saturday. Just thought I'd ring you and tell you."

"Oh right," Fickle said, kinda slowly, I thought. "Okay."

"For Birmingham, of course." I carried on, idly flicking screens on my computer. "Same time as last time?"

"Perfect," Fickle replied.

"You not booked yours yet, I take it?" I asked.

"No." Fickle paused. "To be honest, Immy, funds are a little, uh, a little tight at the moment."

"Oh." I suddenly felt a bit deflated. "Right."

"But I'm sure it'll be okay to book next week," Fickle went on.

"They're not much," I persisted. "I just got mine for 20 return. If you book today you might get it at the same rate?"

"I can't book it today, Im," Fickle said. "I'm down to my last few quid."

"I could pay for it and you pay me back?" I said, hoping I didn't sound too desperate.

Fickle laughed.

"No, Immy, you don't need to do that. I'll book something nearer the day."

"I don't mind, honest," I persisted again, thinking that the fares would rocket next week.

"No," Fickle said, kinda impatiently, I thought. "But I appreciate the offer, honey."

There was a bit of a silence. I wasn't sure what to say and, if I'm honest, I was kinda embarrassed at having apparently pushed it with Fickle. She spoke first.

"Have you had a good day? I've been thinking about you loads."

I perked up a bit, hearing that she'd been thinking of me.

"Yeah, it's been fine," I said, watching the computer screen as I saw Joey logging onto MSN. "Just shitloads of work at college at the mo. I mean, my exams aren't for, like, ages yet, so what's the deal with all the work?"

A message flashed up from Joey, just kinda saying hi and asking how I was. I nestled my phone in the crook of my neck and tapped out a quick message back to her.

Barnaby Rudge: Hey Joe! Just on the phone to Fickle. Howz you?

"Tell me about it," Fickle was now saying to me on the phone. "Get this, right, I was given a fifteen-hundred-word essay to write about-in French, mind you-the rising fuel prices affecting Western Europe."

"Jeez, Gemma!" I whistled under my breath. "That's a bit heavy going, isn't it?"

"That's what I said to my teacher," Fickle said. "Not that he took a scrap of notice of me."

"And I thought my piddling little assignment was tough going." I laughed.

"So it kinda means I'm not going to be around much this weekend..." Fickle's voice trailed off.

"You're kidding me?" I felt my heart sink. "When's it gotta be done by?"

"Monday," Fickle said.

"And when did he give it to you to do?"

"Today," Fickle replied. "Uh, no, uh yesterday. Yeah, yesterday. Shit, isn't it?"

"You're telling me!" I glanced at the computer screen and saw Joey had replied.

Joey: K, kiddo. I won't disturb. Catch you later maybe?

Barnaby Rudge: No, stay Joe! Be good to talk!

I meant it. I'd missed talking to her for the last few days. And if, as it seemed she wouldn't be, Fickle wasn't going to be around, then who better to have a laugh and a chat with but Joey?

Joey: OK! I'll sit here and paint me nails or whatever while you finish with Fickle!

I grinned. Joey painting her nails wasn't an image I thought I'd ever have in my head.

"I'm sorry I won't be able to speak to you so much, Immy," Fickle was now saying. "I'll miss you."

"I'll miss you too," I said truthfully.

"I better go. Mum needs me downstairs for something," Fickle said, sighing.

"Will you be back later tonight?" I asked, trying to keep my voice casual.

"Doubt it, hun," Fickle said, adding, "Sorry."

"S'okay. I understand. I'll text you later, yeah?"

"Yeah, sure."

"I love you, Gem."

"Catch you later, Immy. Miss you already."

And then she was gone. I held my phone, still warm, in my hand for a while, thinking about what she'd said, and tried to stop the feelings of complete disappointment inside me. All my excitement of booking my train and thinking that I would have Fickle all to myself all weekend had completely disappeared. I looked back at my computer.

Barnaby Rudge: Hey.

Joey: Hey! Fickle gone?

Barnaby Rudge: Yeah. #Sigh# Joey: Aw! You got it bad, ain't you?

Barnaby Rudge: Yeah. #Sigh# Joey: LOL.

Barnaby Rudge: And the pisser is that she's not going to be around so much all weekend 'cos she's got so much work on at college.

Joey: That's a bastard.

Barnaby Rudge: Tell me about it! I was sooooo looking forward to having her to myself all weekend.

Joey: Are you still seeing her next week?

I grinned.

Barnaby Rudge: Yeah. Just booked my train tickets today too. Can't wait.

There was a long pause.

Barnaby Rudge: Joe?

Joey: I'm here.

Barnaby Rudge: Ah. You went quiet.

Joey: Did I? Soz.

Barnaby Rudge: S'OK.

There was another long pause, longer this time. Then: Joey: Is she around tonight? Perhaps if you can't talk to her over the weekend you can at least have some time with her tonight.

Barnaby Rudge: No. She said she doubts she'll be around. She's gone now anyway, said her mum needed her or something.

Joey: Right.

Barnaby Rudge: What's going on, Joe? You seem awful quiet tonight.

Joey: I've kinda got a lot on my mind at the moment. Soz.

Barnaby Rudge: Claire?

Joey: Sorry?

Barnaby Rudge: Are you thinking about Claire?

Joey: Oh! Sorry! No, not thinking about Claire.

Barnaby Rudge: Oh, right. Just checking.

Yet another long pause ensued. After staring at my computer screen for what seemed like ages, I decided I'd had enough of trying to get anything resembling conversation out of Joey and told her I was going.

Barnaby Rudge: It's a bit like pulling teeth with you tonight, Joe!

Joey: Thanks.

Barnaby Rudge: So I'm gonna go.

Joey: Wait. Don't. I'm sorry.

Barnaby Rudge: I really ought to go, anyway. My parents haven't seen me for days. For all they know, I could be covered in dust and cobwebs up here!

Joey: I have a dilemma, Imms, and I dunno what to do about it. That's why I've been quiet.

Barnaby Rudge: Oh right. Well, maybe I can help? I like a nice dilemma! Go on, spill!

Joey: But I don't quite know where to start!