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being jealous, ’cos it can’t be easy knowing that everybody loves me and hates you.’
    Tears stinging her eyes, Michelle covered her ear with the quilt.
    ‘Aw, you’re not crying, are you?’ Mia crooned, patting her on the shoulder as if she cared. ‘Truth hurting, is it?’
    Getting no response, she climbed into bed. Much as she enjoyed winding Michelle up, she had more important things to think about – things which, if Darren had been telling the truth, could send her life in an amazing new direction.

2
    Wide awake, washed, and dressed by nine the next morning, Mia was all set to head off into town. The lads had promised to take them for a burger, and then on to the cinema, before heading back to Stu’s place for another little party – and she couldn’t wait.
    Finding her mum flat out on the couch, her snoring mouth hanging slack, the cushion stained dark with dribble, Mia shook her roughly by the shoulder and asked where she’d put her handbag.
    ‘Pack it in,’ Kim growled, slapping her hand away. ‘You’re making me feel sick.’
    ‘I need some money,’ Mia told her, wrinkling her nose at the stench of stale alcohol, fags and sweat.
    ‘What time is it?’ Forcing a gummy eye open, Kim frowned when saw the quilt that was covering her. She didn’t remember going upstairs last night. In fact, she didn’t even remember getting home.
    Hopping from foot to foot with impatience, Mia told her that it was nine o’clock.
    ‘ Nine? ’ Kim repeated, her head beginning to throb. ‘What the hell are you doing up at this time? I can’t usually drag you out of your pit till two in the flaming afternoon of a Saturday. It is Saturday, isn’t it?’
    ‘Oh, come on, mum, I’ve got things to do.’
    ‘Get me some tablets.’ Kim rubbed at her temples. ‘My head’s banging.’
    In too much of a rush to argue, Mia darted into the kitchen, grabbed the tablets and poured a cup of water.
    ‘Would it have killed you to make a brew?’ Kim grumbled when she handed them to her.
    ‘Money?’ Mia held out her hand. ‘Hurry up, mum, I’ve got to go.’
    ‘Go where?’ Kim sat up slowly.
    ‘Out.’
    ‘Out where?’
    ‘Oh, for God’s sake! Just out , okay? So, can I have some money, or what?’
    ‘Or what. I told you last night, I’m skint.’
    ‘Yeah, but that was before you went to the bingo. And you and Pam always win something between you, so you must have a couple of quid at least.’
    Kim shook her head and popped the tablets into her mouth, grimacing at the taste.
    ‘Right, forget it. I’ll just go and sell my body on the corner.’
    ‘You’d be better off going down the Range, love. You’ll get loads more punters there.’
    ‘Oh, ha ha, you’re so funny,’ Mia snarled, tugging on her jacket. ‘All I’m asking for is a couple of lousy quid. And I shouldn’t even have to ask, seeing as you get child benefit for me.’
    ‘Oh, is that right?’
    ‘Well, duh . Child benefit – child .’
    ‘ Mother of child. Payer of rent, buyer of food.’
    ‘Yeah, with the money you get off the dole for me.’
    Tiring of the cheek, Kim flashed her a warning look.
    ‘It’s the truth, isn’t it?’ Mia persisted self-righteously.
    ‘Listen here, lady, I ’m the adult in this house, and what I say—’
    ‘ Goes ,’ Mia finished for her in a mimicking tone. ‘Yeah, yeah, heard it all before. Sure you don’t want to remind me how you nearly died giving birth to me while you’re at it?’
    ‘Shut up,’ Kim groaned, the ache in her head worsening with every lippy comment. ‘You’re getting on my nerves now.’
    Muttering a dismissive ‘Whatever,’ Mia folded her arms. ‘Oh, by the way, in case you’re interested , I’ve decided to be a model.’
    ‘You what?’
    ‘You heard. And there’s no point trying to stop me, because I’m doing it whether you like it or not. Darren’s cousin’s a top model, and he reckons she’s nowhere near as pretty as me. And he’s going to set me up with