As she threw her satchel over her shoulder she smiled, not smug or arrogant but a smile of pure pride in herself. It was the only pride she experienced. At this point most people would have wondered what was being said to Toby. He was nice enough boy and never really did anything wrong. He was the definition of the old rhyme 'Tim, Tim, nice but dim.' However Evelyn had bigger things to think about.

She straightened her uniform, making sure her tie was long enough and began to walk towards reception. The summer heat was dwindling as she walked through the courtyard yet it still made her blazer feel uncomfortably stuffy. She kept it on preferring to exhale heavily instead of breaking school rules. The crowd leaving school bustled her and shoved her about. She was sixteen and about to leave school but she hadn't changed in appearance since twelve when she had been the tallest girl in the year.

She took her seat at reception and waited for her little sister Amy. She had remembered the day she had promised her mother to look after her. It had been a hot day, mid august, two years before. The fabric on her summer dress was constantly sticking to the sweat on her skin and the hospitals air conditioner was struggling to cope with the single, annual hot British day.

Her little sister arrived after a couple of minutes. Her uniform was immaculate, just like Evelyn. She wore big clunky Velcro shoes and a bright pink bag that was bigger than her torso. Evelyn thought back to her first year in secondary school with fondness before puberty and politics had kicked in and you had to watch what you said and did.

"Good day Amy?" Evelyn asked.

"Yeah we learned about the battle of Stamford Bridge today in history, did you know..."

She continued and for the most part Evelyn ignored her as a husband does to a wife. She nodded continuously and every now again interjected with 'wow' and 'oh dear.'

It wasn't Evelyn's fault, she used to listen but her mind had been elsewhere. Not only did she have her exams later this year but she had taken on a part time job at the local corner shop. The pay was okay for her age and it wasn't very just so she had time to revise and do homework. The problem was every penny she had went towards paying rent to her auntie who's house she lived in.

"And then he pushed the spear..."

'That's so cool!" Evelyn interjected, basing her response on the level of enthusiasm her sister showed. She missed the excitement and energy of starting secondary school and although she had forgotten most of what she learned first year she remembered the feeling of being safe and happy.

It wasn't her aunt's fault, she wasn't being mean to her nieces. Actually she was very kind and caring. The problem was she worked nights, had no spouse and didn't make much money. The responsibility had fallen on Evelyn to financially help out which she had done without a single rolled eye or tut.

Evelyn reached out holding a hand across her little sisters chest. The road ahead had been cordened off and there were flashing lights.

"Come on Amy, looks like its blocked. Let's take the alleyway."

"But it's creepy down there."

"Yeah but that doesn't look good. I promise you you'll be okay," and with a wink they took the detour.