Page 122 of Insidious

“George was supposed to come,” she blubbers, on her way to full-blown tears that will break my heart.

I wince internally.

The George Situation has dominated the last three days.

“He wanted to, I am sure,” Luna says patiently.

“He didn’t answer the phone when you called him.”

“He’s probably upset and sad that you are going away.”

“He said he didn’t want to be my friend because I was leaving him.” The waterworks are escalating.

Luna tucks a strand of hair behind Amelie’s ear.

“Best friends get mad sometimes.”

Amelie looks unconvinced and buries her face in her mum’s lap.

The conversation continues while I pretend to organise straps in the boot, eavesdropping on every word.

Amelie asks, “Is Aunt Lily your best friend?”

Luna pauses and glances over at me. My heart does the stupid thing that makes me wonder if I need a check-up.

“She is, and she did some stupid things, but we made up, like best friends do. But your dad is my bestest-est-est friend.”

My precocious daughter immediately asks, “Is that why he always puts his tongue in your mouth when he kisses you?”

I grin, thinking I wouldn’t want George to be doing that. I wisely keep this observation to myself.

The next question is harder.

“What if nobody likes me at my new school?”

The smile slips from my face. Beneath all the excitement and planning and house hunting, that’s the thing, isn’t it?

What if Amelie hates it?

What if we made the wrong decision?

What if Bolton isn’t home?

What if there are bullies at the new school?

What if—

I stop myself from going down that particular rabbit hole.

Luna answers before I can spiral.

“It’ll be impossible not to like you. You are the cutest, brightest, sweetest, brainiest.”

Amelie still looks doubtful. Thankfully, a distraction arrives in the form of Jemma and her Great Dane. The emotional crisis evaporates instantly.

“DOGGY!”

And she’s gone.