The Forever Whale. Sarah Lean

“But not this bit of art. It’s weird.”

      I notice Jodie has black eyeliner and mascara and her lips are glossy and pink.

      “Have you got a boyfriend?” I say.

      “No!” she says, far too strongly.

      “Thought so. You don’t normally wear so much make-up. What’s your boyfriend’s name?”

      “He’s not my boyfriend,” she says, “I just like him.”

      “How much?”

      Jodie’s painted eyes open wider.

      “Loads,” she says which makes us smile, but our faces drop again straight away. Even that can’t stop us thinking about Grandad.