‘My head’s certainly spinning,’ I agree, pushing away my plate. ‘That was delicious, thanks, but I can’t eat another bite.’
‘But it’s apple pie!’ says Mum, shocked. ‘You love my apple pie!’
‘I’m not used to eating so much at lunch time,’ I say.
‘Because you don’t take care of yourself properly,’ she says. ‘Look at you – you’re thinner than ever. Don’t you find time to eat at university?’
‘I’m studying too hard,’ I say.
Dad looks anxious. ‘You aren’t short of money, are you? I don’t like to think of you skipping meals because you can’t afford them.’
‘I’m absolutely fine,’ I reassure him. ‘I tend to eat my main meal in the evening, that’s all. I seem to be so busy during the days that time gets away from me.’
Mum gives me a suspicious look. ‘You aren’t on drugs, are you?’
I stare at her in bemusement. ‘What put that into your mind?’
‘I know what it’s like at those places,’ she says. ‘Half the students are smoking marijuana cigarettes all day, and the other half have eating disorders.’
‘I can promise that I neither smoke pot all day nor have an eating disorder,’ I say gravely.
‘I’m glad to hear it,’ she says. ‘In which case, I can’t understand why you aren’t eating your apple pie.’
A look of shock flashes over her face. ‘You aren’t –?’
‘I’m not suffering from morning sickness either, if that’s what you’re implying,’ I say.
‘The thought never crossed my mind,’ she says, but she looks more cheerful.
She gives me a sidelong look. ‘Are you seeing anyone at the moment?’
‘Isn’t that a tactful segue?’ I say. ‘As it happens, I’m not.’
She nods. ‘There’s plenty of time for that. You’re at university to study, not to chase after boys.’
‘Very true,’ I say. ‘In fact, I’ve brought so much work home with me that I probably won’t see you very much at all these holidays. I certainly won’t have time for any parties.’
She looks so horrified that I burst out laughing. ‘I’m only teasing you. You seem to have a very odd idea of student life. It’s all quite normal, really. It isn’t much different to being at school, except that no one cares whether or not you attend lectures.’
‘You don’t need to worry about Annie,’ says Dad. ‘She did very well in her exams, remember?’ He smiles at me. ‘We’re very proud of you, love.’
‘Thanks, Dad. I’m glad I’ve got them out of the way. I’m in Paris next term, but I have my finals in the summer, so I definitely won’t be spending all my time partying.’
I’ve arranged to meet Suzy that afternoon to catch up. Mum is annoyed when she hears this.
‘I’d hoped we could go shopping together this afternoon,’ she says. ‘I’m sure you need something nice to wear for all these parties. Being a student isn’t an excuse to look as though you’ve dressed from a jumble sale.’
I’m too excited to be annoyed. ‘I’ve already bought a new dress for tomorrow night.’
‘Wonders will never cease!’ She puts the last of the plates into the dishwasher. ‘Where did you get it?’
‘Selfridges.’
‘How did you afford that?’
‘I’m the campus drug dealer,’ I say without thinking. ‘Oh, don’t look like that, Mum! I saved up for it all term.’
‘Can I see it?’ she asks.