Life Swap

Face Off

"Oh, hello...Miss? Is the little girl all right? I was standing next to her when she was knocked over...we were talking about that stone thing...and then those awful boys...well, I just wanted to see if she is okay, Miss?" I said, or rather Kelly said in my very familiar voice, calmly talking to Mrs Blackstone as if they had never met before. I almost fainted right then and there, staring up at myself with my mouth hanging open, feeling sick, tears welling up in my eyes. I was me but there she was, being me, or pretending to me. Because I would never have said 'awful boys' like that. It was not a phrase I would ever use. But posh little Olivia would, I thought, probably all the time. She was at an all-girls school, she probably did not know many boys, so she would be naturally dismissive of them, and that word, awful, it just sounded old-fashioned to me. Not something I would ever say. She had stolen my body; I was sure of it.

"That is very thoughtful of you, dear...and it's Mrs Blackstone...Olivia is a bit shaken up, I think, but otherwise unharmed..."

"I am so embarrassed by what those boys did, Mrs Blackstone...they are getting a right old telling off from our teachers...and she is such a lovely little girl...I was really enjoying talking to her?" Kelly said whilst smiling sweetly at me, as if butter would not melt in her mouth. "She so wanted to make a wish...it was just so sweet...I think she really thought that it would come true...but I didn't think she ought to be wandering around the museum, on her own...so I was going to make sure that she found you...or one of her other teachers...after...but then, all hell broke loose? I was really worried about her...but my friends were worried about me, because we were all knocked over and they took me away before I could check on her..."

"Oh, that is very responsible of you...and you are quite right, she was definitely not supposed to be roaming around on her own...what is your name, dear?" Mrs Blackstone asked, clinging onto my hand as if she would never let go. I blinked back my tears, not wanting to cry in front of myself.

"Kelly...Kelly Hughes, Mrs Blackstone?"

"Well, Kelly...I shall be contacting your head teacher tomorrow...to tell them how well you have behaved today...those boys deserve to be in serious trouble...but your concern for Olivia does you nothing but credit, dear."

"Oh wow...thanks...you don't have to do that...I just wanted to be sure that she was okay...I hope Olivia isn't in too much trouble...for wandering off?" My voice continued, shamelessly sucking up to Mrs Blackstone. I never said 'wow' either. That was so not me. But looking at myself was so weird, so strange. It made me feel light-headed, as if the world was spinning out of control, and I could no longer keep my balance.

"She has some explaining to do...but considering what happened, I don't think she will face more than a telling off from her parents...Olivia, I think you should thank Kelly for taking the time to come and check on you, little one?" Mrs Blackstone said, turning to me and giving my hand a sharp squeeze. "Olivia?"

"Thank you...Kelly." I whispered, staring down at my shiny black shoes.

"Olivia...say thank you properly, please?" Mrs Blackstone urged, giving my hand another sharp squeeze.

"Um...thank you very much for checking up on me, Kelly." I murmured, not sure what she wanted me to say. "It was very kind of you?"

"Aww...she is just so cute, isn't she? So sorry to have bothered you, Mrs Blackstone...but I have to get back to my group, or I will be the one in trouble...bye Olivia...be a good little girl for your teachers..."

"My...what a nice girl." Mrs Blackstone sighed, after Kelly had hurried off, walking me into the main entrance area, where all the other striped blazers were waiting for us. It was a much smaller party than the Redstone one, only about twenty girls, I think, and they were all staring at me, or maybe glaring. Miss Cooper stepped away from the group to talk to Mrs Blackstone as if I did not exist, whilst I was still trying to get over the meeting with Kelly. I was in a bit of a daze, bewildered, I suppose. It was all too much to cope with.