Mumnesia by Katie Dale Read Free Book Online

like, thousands of
pounds! And majorly huge – like bricks!’
    ‘Really?’ I smile. ‘So . . . ninety
quid’s a bargain then, huh?’
    ‘Totally!’
    OMG, I love Shazza!
    Unfortunately, now that it’s stopped
raining Shazza sticks out like a sore thumb as we walk through
town. Loads of people turn and stare, and I can’t really
blame them – especially as she keeps running around and
pointing at things, shouting weird eighties words!
#Embarrassing
    I pull my hood up, my cheeks burning, hoping we don’t
bump into anyone we know – I would never live this
down.
    And neither would Mum, I realize suddenly. It’s not just
my reputation at stake.
    I grab Shazza’s arm. ‘I’m tired –
let’s go home.’
    ‘What? No way!’ she protests, pulling free.
‘I’m only here for a day – I want to make the
most of it!’
    My heart sinks.
    ‘Come on, if you’d just travelled here from the
eighties, what would you do?’
    I think fast. ‘How about a movie?’
    ‘Awesome!’
    ‘Cool!’ I grin. No one will be able to see us in
the dark!
    ‘No
way
is this a
cinema!’ Shazza gasps as we walk into the multiplex.
‘It’s enormous!’
    ‘It has to be, to fit twelve screens,’ I
explain.
    ‘OMGA!
Twelve screens?
No way!’ Shazza
squeals, running towards the ticket counter like an overhyped
toddler.
    ‘Way!’ I grin, racing after her. ‘So what do
you wanna see?’
    ‘Lucy?’ calls a familiar voice. ‘Is that
you?’
    I turn to see the Megababes. Oh crumpets! So much for keeping
out of sight . . .
    ‘Nice hair!’ Megan says as they join the queue
behind us. ‘I
almost
didn’t recognize
you!’
    ‘Oh. Thanks!’ I smile. Wait, that
was
a
compliment, wasn’t it?
    ‘You must be Lucy’s mum! I love your nose-stud,
Mrs Andrews!’ Megan beams at Shazza.
    ‘Thanks!’ she replies. ‘Call me
Shazza.’
    ‘
Shazza?
’ Megan’s eyes widen.
‘Wow! Lovely to meet you,
Shazza
. How
sweet
!
I don’t think my mum’s taken me to the cinema since I
was about . . . eight?’
    The other Megababes snigger, and Nicole whispers,
‘Lame.’
    #KillMeNow
    ‘So you must be Megan,’ Shazza says sweetly.
    ‘I am!’ Megan flicks her silky blonde hair
smugly.
    ‘Well, I’m so sorry your mum doesn’t have
time for you, Megan,’ Shazza says, ‘but at least you
have your clones.’
    Megan’s smile slips. ‘My
what
?’
    ‘Your lovely clothes!’ Shazza smiles.
‘They’re gorgeous!’
    ‘Oh.’ Megan blinks, looking confused.
‘Thanks.’
    I bite down hard on my lip to hide my smile.
    ‘So, what movie are you girls seeing today?’
Shazza asks.
    ‘The new romcom,’ Nicole replies, nodding at a
poster behind the counter of a loved-up teenage couple.
    ‘How
sweet
!’ Shazza grins.
    ‘Next!’ the ticket guy calls to us.
    ‘Two for
Mutant Zombie Vampires
, please,’
Shazza says. The Megababes gasp and I stare at Shazza.
Mutant
Zombie Vampires
is a fifteen!
    ‘Um, do you have any ID?’ the ticket guy asks.
    Shazza raises an eyebrow. ‘Young man, how
old
do
I look to you?’
    It takes all my willpower not to burst out laughing.
    ‘Uh, I meant your, er, daughter,’ he says, his
ears flushing bright red. ‘Is she fifteen?’
    ‘Do you really think I’d bring her if she
wasn’t?’ Shazza narrows her eyes.
    ‘Um, n-no, of course not!’ he stutters. ‘But
I-I’m really meant to see ID . . .’
    ‘I am her mother. I think I know how old my own daughter
is.’
    ‘Of course, it’s just –’ He looks
around desperately for help, but all the other staff are busy
serving customers. ‘We’re meant to
check—’
    ‘Are you calling me a
liar
?’ Shazza
demands, her voice dangerously quiet.
    ‘No! No, of
course
not!’
    ‘Well, then! Two tickets, please – at the
front!’
    Utterly defeated, the poor guy meekly obeys.
    ‘That –’ I giggle as we walk away –
‘was totally awesome!’
    And the most awesome thing of all is the look on the