Lottie Project by Jacqueline Wilson Read Free Book Online Page A

a smack on the head he dropped my book instantly.
    ‘Ooooow! What did you do that for?’ he gasped, clutching his head.

    ‘I warned you,’ I said, clutching my book to my chest.
    ‘You’re mad! If you weren’t a girl I’d sock you straight back,’ said Jamie.
    One side of his face was bright red and the shape of my hand. There were tears in his eyes. I felt a bit worried. I hadn’t meant to hit him quite as hard as all that.
    ‘You can try hitting me back but I wouldn’t advise it,’ I said. ‘Just stop messing about with my private stuff, right?’
    ‘It’s just your Victorian project, for goodness’ sake. And you’re doing it all wrong, not a bit the way Miss Beckworth said.’
    ‘I’m doing it
my
way,’ I said.
    ‘You’ll get into trouble.’
    ‘See if I care,’ I said.
    Miss Beckworth came into the classroom just then. She gave us all one quick glance – and then fixed her gaze on Jamie.
    ‘What’s the matter with you, James?’ she said.
    I held my breath. It looked as if I was in trouble right that minute. I expected Jamie to blab. He looked as if he were going to. But then he shrugged and shook his head. ‘Nothing’s the matter, Miss Beckworth,’ he said.
    I was amazed. And even more astonished when Miss Beckworth didn’t pursue it. She just raised her eyebrows as if to say ‘You can’t kid me,’ but then she sat down at her desk and started the lesson.
    Jamie started working right away, one cheek still scarlet. I watched him for a while. I struggled with myself. Then I leant towards him. He flinched, as if he was scared I might slap him again.
    ‘Why didn’t you say I slapped you?’ I whispered.
    Jamie blinked at me nervously. ‘I’m not a sneaky tell-tale,’ he said.
    ‘Well. Thanks,’ I mumbled.
    He didn’t say anything back but his other cheek went red too.
    So perhaps Jamie isn’t one hundred per cent revolting and disgusting and infuriating. Just ninety-nine per cent. But as if I’d ever sit chewing my nails waiting for his phone call!
    Nobody rang. Not a single soul required the services of the strong reliable schoolgirl.
    ‘Why don’t you ring him?’ said Jo, still dopily deluded.
    But the next day Miss Pease from downstairs waylaid her as she was stumbling back from her morning shift at the supermarket.
    ‘Yes, Miss Pease wanted a little word about you, Charlie,’ said Jo, hands on her hips.
    ‘If she’s nagging on about my music again she’s nuts. I keep it turned down so soft I can barely hear it myself. She must have ears like Dumbo’s,’ I said, munching toast.
    Jo snatched half of it from my plate. ‘Here, spare a crumb for your poor hardworking mother,’ she said. ‘I’m starving.’

    ‘So am I. You make your own. I’ve got to go to school.’
    ‘Yes, well, you can wait a minute. Miss Pease says you’ve been soliciting.’
    ‘I’ve been
what
?’ I said.
    ‘Well, that’s the word she used,’ said Jo. She was trying to sound stern, but she looked as if she might giggle any minute. ‘Yes, that’s what she said. “I really must bring this to your attention, Josephine. Charlotte has been soliciting.”’ Jo’s voice wobbled.
    I chuckled tentatively. It was a mistake.
    ‘No, it’s not funny, Charlie. What have you been playing at, posting all these little letters in people’s flats offering to do work?’
    ‘I was wanting to help out.’
    ‘Oh, Charlie. You are a nutter. Miss Pease is right for once in her long and boring life. You can’t advertise yourself like that, especially when there are such loonies around. Some weird guy might have read about this little schoolgirl wanting work and got some terrible ideas.’
    ‘I’m not little, I’m big. And strong. But I take your point. Still, you don’t have to fuss. No-one’s phoned. Not a single sausage, and after all that money I spent on photocopying. It’s daft. The whole idea was to
make
a bit of money.’
    ‘Don’t worry. That’s my job. And anyway, it has worked in a