Beat Goes on

Chapter Seven When I got home after school I phoned Emma to see how she was and to tell her about the gig on Friday. I didn't know whether to mention Darren or not. We couldn't talk properly on the phone because of my parents anyway. The phone is in the hallway outside the lounge, so they can hear everything. I've been campaigning for my own phone line in my bedroom for years, but Dad says it's as likely to happen as Sadie and Anthony breaking the habit of a lifetime and going on holiday to the moon. "All right, Leyla, what have you been up to?""Sarah and I went to this brilliant gig at the Academy on Friday night: Asian Dub Foundation. It just made me want to be a drummer even more. It's all I want to do, you know.""Then do it, don't just talk about it. You've got your drums -- all you need to do is keep practicing. You'll be a star before you know it.""I'm not sure about being a star, but I know I could be a good drummer. I just need to find a band to practice with, that's all. Anyway, how are you? How are you feeling?""Oh, you know, okay. Fine most of the time. It gets...you know...No, I'm fine, I'm fine, honestly.""Come on, Em, you can talk to me. Don't stop yourself if you want to talk.""No, really, I'm fine. Listen, there is something I wanted to talk to you about, actually. What are you doing now? Can you come down to the flat?""Well, I've got some English homework to do for tomorrow, and...""Tell me about it." Emma groaned. "I am so behind in all of my schoolwork it's not funny. My teachers are on my back about it as well, but I can't exactly turn round and tell them to give me a break because I've just been told I've got HIV and am feeling a bit stressed out lately, can I?""Tell them you're having family problems -- they always fall for that one. They're well into their stress management these days.""Oh, I don't know. I just can't seem to concentrate on anything. I haven't been sleeping very well, so I'm knackered half the time, falling asleep at my desk. That's when I'm actually at school and not at the hospital having some test or other done. I've missed so much school it's unbelievable. I'm never going to pass my A Levels next year at this rate.""Listen, Mum'll have tea ready in a minute, but I can come down at about seven thirty. Shall I ask her if I can stay at your place, and then we can have longer to talk?""Yeah, brilliant. See you at seven thirty then," she said, and rang off. When I arrived at the flat Emma escorted me straight to her room, not giving me a chance to stop and have a quick chat with Aunty Jean, who was sat in the living room watching TV and chain-smoking."Did I spot a visitor somewhere in that whirlwind?" she shouted from the couch just as Emma closed her bedroom door firmly behind us. "I didn't even say hello," I said, catching my breath and struggling to take off my jacket."Oh, she's getting on my nerves. I don't want us to end up sitting in the living room with her all night. I thought we could stay in here and chat.""Fine by me. Get us a drink first, though, will you? I'm gasping."Emma came bounding back into the room with her arms full of fruit, mineral water, a bag of mixed nuts, and some guacamole dip with tortilla chips. She placed them neatly on the floor at my feet and looked upon her treasure with pride."So you're going back to the kitchen for the Coke, chocolate, and crisps then, yeah?' I said, picking up a kiwi fruit, eyeing it suspiciously and wondering what on earth I was going to do with it."No way -- this is my new healthy eating regime. My doctor has told me that if I pay attention to my diet early on I'm more likely to maintain good health. He's told me all this stuff about how the virus will start to change the structure of my intestines, which means I won't be able to absorb nutrients as well as I would normally, so I've got to get the right balance and correct amountMinchin, Adele is the author of 'Beat Goes on', published 2004 under ISBN 9780689866111 and ISBN 0689866119.