Keep You Safe. Melissa Hill

Rosie could die. Do you know that if that happens, it will be your fault, Clara? I wonder how old you have to be to go to jail? They might not lock you up for killing her, but they will definitely lock your parents up – and then you and Jake will be put up for adoption or something.’ His friends laughed loudly, which merely served to egg Kevin on. ‘Probably be better that way anyway. My mum says that your parents are stupid and crazy. So it’s good if they do get locked up. I mean, murderers should go to jail – especially ones who kill kids.’

      Clara felt a lump grow in her throat. Her mum had told her that Rosie getting sick hadn’t been her fault. But now she wasn’t so sure. What if Rosie did die? She willed herself not to cry, but still a tear leaked from her eye.

      Of course, Kevin saw it. ‘Are you going to cry, Clara?’ he guffawed. ‘Well, you probably should. If I were you, I would feel terrible for killing one of my friends.’

      ‘Shut up, Kevin,’ yelled Rachel, trying to intervene on behalf of her friend. ‘Clara hasn’t killed anyone and Rosie isn’t going to die. Just shut up. You don’t know anything.’

      She and Megan began pulling her away in the direction of the classroom. Clara allowed herself to be led – anything to get away.

      But regardless of the distance they put between her and the bullies, Kevin’s words still echoed in Clara’s brain.

      If Rosie died, would it be her fault?