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looking back at the TV.
    â€˜It’s our class trip to Fota Wildlife Park, and I told Miss O’Herlihy you’d come with us.’
    Now he looked at her properly.
    â€˜Why on earth did you do that?’
    Alice put on a really sad face.
    â€˜Because now that we’re in sixth class, it’s our last trip ever. And I missed most of the year because of being in Dublin. And Mum can’t come because she’s too busy. And it would make it really special for me if you came.’
    Now Peter looked kind of sad too.
    â€˜Well, maybe I could take the day off,’ he said. ‘We’re not all that busy at the moment. Are there other parents going?’
    Alice nodded.
    â€˜Oh, lots. Meg’s dad is probably going too.’
    I made a face at her behind Peter’s back. Why did she have to drag my dad into it? My dad would be a bit like Chloe’s mum, he’d probably prefer to eat his leg than come with us. Best not to say that to Peter, though. He looked at me.
    â€˜Is your dad really going?’ he asked.
    I could feel my face going red.
    â€˜Well, he hopes to,’ I mumbled. ‘But he’s not sure yet. He might have an important meeting.’
    Just then the TV documentary got to an exciting bit, with loads of shouting and slamming doors. Alice stood between Peter and the television.
    â€˜Well, Dad,’ she said. ‘Will you come?’
    He pushed her aside gently.
    â€˜Sure, whatever, just move out of the way for a minute.’
    Alice hugged him.
    â€˜That’s great, Dad. Thanks. You’ve really made my day.’
    I followed Alice as she skipped out of the room. As soon as we were safely in the hall, she gave me a high-five.
    â€˜Ha!’ she said. ‘Step one completed successfully. Dad thinks he’s just agreed to a day out. He doesn’t know that it’s the first step towards a whole new life for our family.’
    I couldn’t share her excitement. Suddenly everything seemed too complicated again. It was all going to end in tears.
    I just knew it.
    Then I had a horrible thought.
    Imagine if Peter did ask Miss O’Herlihy out?
    And imagine if she said yes?
    And imagine if they got on really, really well?
    And imagine if they fell in love?
    How gross would that be?
    Would this be the time that Alice finally went too far?
    Anyway, there was nothing I could do. The plan had already started, and for once, I couldn’t blame Alice.
    This time it was already half my fault.

Chapter eight

    Y ou couldn’t really say that the trip to Fota Island was a total disaster.
    It was much worse than that.
    First Alice’s dad showed up at school in really gross shorts, and a revolting purple and green striped t-shirt. That was bad enough, but even worse was the fact that he wasn’t wearing runners and sports socks like a normal person. Instead he was wearing thick, brown sandals with socks under them – green and grey stripysocks like someone’s grandad would wear.
    After living with my mum for twelve years, I knew plenty about bad dressing, but this was surely beyond a joke.
    Peter came over to me.
    â€˜Hi, Megan,’ he said. ‘Where’s your dad?’
    I could feel my face going red.
    â€˜Er, he… I mean… did I tell you he might have an important meeting? Well, he did… so… er… he couldn’t come. He wanted to though.’
    Peter didn’t seem to mind much.
    â€˜Oh well,’ he said. ‘That’s his loss. Now I’d better go over to Miss O’H and tell her I’m here.’
    As he turned to leave I noticed that there was a huge hole in his left sock, and his big toe was poking out, all hairy and red and curly. Totally, totally gross.
    I turned to Alice in horror. I was surprised to see that she seemed quite calm.
    â€˜Look at the state of your dad,’ I said. ‘Aren’t you mad at him?’
    Alice sighed.
    â€˜Of course I’m mad at