Golden Girl Read Free Page A

important.’
    Give me a break , I thought. It’s only the first day of the Easter holidays and already he’s on my case. Didn’t he realise that having my first boyfriend was a big thing
in my life? Like, major? He probably didn’t. My lack of boyfriend had never been a topic of conversation between us. And I would study. But I also wanted to enjoy myself some of
the time.
    ‘I read in one of my How to Study guides that time off is important in order to keep a clear head,’ I said. It was worth a try, not that Dad knew the meaning of time off or
relaxation. His job was full-on. I rarely saw him in casual clothes or chilling out because he’s on call twenty-four seven.
    ‘Yes, but time off when you’ve done a few hours’ work. Not time off first thing in the morning before you’ve even started!’
    ‘Dad, it’s Saturday. Some people do have weekends, you know.’ I couldn’t win. Luckily, Dad’s mobile rang and, as he went off to answer it, I headed for the lift. A
few minutes later, I was up on the Lewises’ floor and JJ was opening the door for me. I still got a rush whenever I saw him because he’s easily one of the best-looking boys I’ve
ever met, with a tall, slim frame, short, dark hair, a divine full mouth and beautiful deep brown eyes. He kissed me lightly on the cheek and I caught his light citrus scent. He always smelt lovely
and clean, unlike some of the boys at our school who gave off an aroma of stale biscuits or unwashed socks.
    ‘So, what’s the big surprise?’ I asked as I followed him through into the kitchen where Alisha was seated at the black-and-pearl granite breakfast bar tucking into croissants
with Alexei. He waved hello. It was a shame he and Alisha didn’t fancy each other because they made a stunning couple, both tall and slim – Alexei with floppy blond hair, cheekbones to
die for and pale blue eyes, and Alisha his opposite – sultry-looking and dark-eyed with long brown hair which, though naturally curly, was professionally blowdried every morning to look
glossy and straight. They’re both into their designer clothes and accessories too – Alexei even more so than Alisha. He’s always flashing a Rolex or Cartier watch or showing off
the latest phone or gadget he’s got. Not that JJ doesn’t have the best, too. He does, but he doesn’t show it off like Alexei. Alisha did consider Alexei as a boyfriend, as we all
did when he first arrived, but, like me, she didn’t feel the magnetic pull of chemistry and settled for just being friends instead.
    ‘Hey, Jess,’ she said. ‘Have you eaten? This apricot jam is to die for and there’s freshly squeezed grape juice.’
    ‘Hey,’ I replied and went to sit next to her. ‘Love the outfit.’ She was wearing a white T-shirt and pink tracksuit bottoms with a white stripe down the side.
    ‘Found me a girlfriend yet?’ asked Alexei. I loved hearing him speak. He had a good English accent but there was a hint of Russian on some words. So exotic-sounding. Some girl was
going to fall head over heels for him. No question about it.
    I laughed and shook my head. ‘If you came into school one day, I’d imagine there’d be a line of girls queuing up to be your girlfriend.’ Maybe next term I’ll start
a dating agency, with Alexei as the first to register. Or run a speed-dating event to raise money for a school charity. That would be fun.
    At the other end of the bar, JJ busied himself with his laptop as Alisha poured me a glass of juice then handed it to me. I took a sip. It was divine and tasted so different to carton juice. The
Lewises are big on fresh juices and everything is organic and prepared by their housekeeper, Marguerite. She even made them jams with apricots and peaches specially flown in from Italy.
    ‘I want you to look at a slideshow,’ JJ said. ‘I’ve been working on it all morning.’
    ‘Why not use the cinema room?’ Alisha suggested. ‘Let her see it all on a larger scale.’
    ‘Good