Page 83 of Little Miss Fortune

As someone who didn’t even apply to Oxford with predicted AAB grades, mentally, for just a second, I let myself gloat.

I did better than a girl called Beatrice Guivers. Suck on it, Spriggy.

Hannah walks through the main doors and leads us to the main hall. She grabs the envelope with her name from the desk, crosses herself in front of the stained glassed Mary (she is collecting all the gods, huh?), and rips it open with shaking hands.

‘So?’ I ask.

Dad is in a wide-footed stance, fist pressed in his mouth, waiting to figure out what reaction he should have.

‘BBB.’ She smiles.

Michelle screams in excitement and jumps into my sister’s arms with a kiss.

Oh, Michelle is not a friend. Michelle is the girlfriend. I lock my phone with an exhale, as I had already prepared to call clearing. We give Hannah a hug, say a big thank you to her teachers, a goodbye to her friends and friend, and walk to the car. My sister is too happy to notice how stiff Dad has become.

‘Thank you, Kami-sama. That was a proper clutch. I did not think I would pass.’ She pushes me away and grabs the front seat.

‘Hanako?’ Dad reels her in, not starting his engine.

‘Yes?’

‘Do you have a girlfriend?’ he asks blankly.

Shock and then realisation starts settling in, as she covers her mouth. ‘Yes.’

‘Dad, it’s not a big deal,’ I try to intervene.

‘You knew?’

They turn their heads to me, and I realise I should’ve sat quietly.

‘Not for long.’ I cover my tracks.

‘I can’t believe it, Hanako. I thought I brought you up better than this!’

A family walks by our car, clearly assuming that the fight is being initiated because of poor results. Like that Spiffy girl, or whatever her name was.

‘I can’t believe you’re being homophobic right now!’ She revolts.

‘Homophobic? You think my issue is that you’re gay?’

‘What else could it be?’

‘I have no issue with you being gay. My issue stems from the fact that my teenage daughter has been spending nights with her partner under the disguise of friendly sleepovers. Your secrecy and dishonesty are my issue, not your sexual orientation.’

Hanako looks at me, but I just shrug in discomfort. I guess he’s kinda right. She did spend a lot of time with Michelle.

‘Well, at least there was no chance for teen pregnancy,’ I try to lighten the mood.

‘Fuko!’ Dad raises his voice and then turns to my sister, finally starting his car. ‘When we get home, you are grounded, young lady.’

Smelly sibling: I thought your comment was funny.

FU-chan: Thanks, sorry that Dad didn’t even let you celebrate properly.

Smelly sibling: I think he is just surprised. He will come down soon. I hope.

FU-chan: Congrats on BBB! Very proud of you.