“Welcome!” he says, breaking away from the group he’s in and extending his hand. “I’m Robin. I haven’t seen you at the group before.”
“I’m Becky. Actually, I’m just a visitor. But Jim said it would be OK to come… ”
“Of course!” says Robin, shaking my hand with enthusiasm. “Everyone’s welcome. It doesn’t matter whether you’re a resident or a visitor… the issues are the same. Awareness is as important as anything else.”
“Absolutely!” I take a sip of coffee and notice the bundle of leaflets he’s holding. “I could take some of those back to London with me and give them out, if you like. Spread the word.”
“That would be great!” Robin’s face creases into a smile. “That’s the kind of proactive attitude we need more of! What kind of environmental issues are you into particularly?”
Think. Environmental issues. “Um…” I take a sip of coffee. “All sorts, really! Trees… and er… hedgehogs…”
“Hedgehogs?” Robin looks puzzled.
Damn. That only came out because I was thinking that his hair looks just like a hedgehog’s.
“When they get squashed by cars,” I improvise. “It’s a real danger in today’s society.”
“I’m sure you’re right.” Robin frowns thoughtfully. “So, are you in an action group specifically looking at the plight of hedgehogs?”
Right. Change the subject, Becky.
“Yes,” I hear myself saying. “I am. It’s called… Prickle.”
“Prickle!” He smiles. “Great name!”
“Yes,” I say confidently. “It stands for Protect… Really… Innocent… er…”
OK. Maybe I should have chosen a word with an H in it.
“Creatures…” I’m floundering. “… of all Kinds… including hedgehogs…”
I break off in relief as I see Jim approaching, together with a thin, wiry woman dressed in jeans and a plaid shirt. This must be Jim’s wife!
“Greetings, Jim,” says Robin with a friendly smile. “Glad you could make it.”
“Hi, Jim!” I say, and turn to the woman with him. “You must be Elizabeth.”
“And you must be the famous Becky!” She clasps my hand. “Our Kelly can’t talk about anything but you.”
“Kelly’s really sweet! We had such fun today doing makeovers…” I suddenly catch Jim’s frown. “And… er… revisions for her exams,” I hastily add. “Lots of algebra and French vocab.”
“Is Jess here?” Jim asks, looking around the room.
“I don’t know,” I say, feeling the usual apprehension at the mention of her name. “I haven’t spotted her yet.”
“It’s a shame.” Elizabeth clicks her tongue. “Jim’s told me all about it. Two sisters, not speaking to each other. And you’re so young! You’ve got your whole lives ahead to be friends, you know. A sister is a blessing!”
“They’ll make up,” Jim says easily. “Ah. Here she is!”
I swivel round and sure enough, there’s Jess, striding toward us, looking totally gobsmacked to see me.
“What’s she doing here?” she says to Jim.
“This is a new member of our group, Jess,” says Robin, coming forward with a smile. “Meet Becky.”
“Hi, Jess!” I say with a nervous smile. “I thought I’d get into the environment!”
“Becky’s special interest is hedgehogs,” adds Robin.
“What?” Jess takes a few seconds to absorb this news, then starts to shake her head. “No. No. She’s not a member of the group. And she’s not coming to the meeting. She has to go. Now!”
“Do you two know each other?” asks Robin, trying to put all this together. Jess looks away.
“We’re sisters,” I explain.
“They don’t get on,” says Jim, in a stage whisper.
“Now, Jess,” says Robin earnestly. “You know our group ethos. We put our personal differences aside at the door. Everyone’s welcome. Everyone’s a friend!” He smiles at me. “Becky’s already volunteered for some outreach work!”
“No!” Jess clasps her head. “You don’t understand what she’s like—”
“Come on, Becky,” says Robin, ignoring Jess. “I’ll find you a chair.”
Gradually the chatter abates and everyone sits down on chairs arranged in the shape of a horseshoe. As I look around the row of faces I spot Edie and Lorna, and several more people I recognize as customers from Jim’s shop.