Weeks passed. Gina studied hard. She went to school, and on some days she went back to Tyler’s house and used his laptop.

Sometimes they made love. Gina sensed desperation in Tyler as they did so. It was almost like he was trying to hold onto her too tightly, and he knew he would have to let her go.

Aunt Sophie kept up the pressure with regards to Gina’s studying, but as the weeks went by, even she began to relax a little. Any fool could see how hard Gina was studying.

It was a few days before Gina’s last exam, when Aunt Sophie told Gina to come to the lounge to see her, after Gina had finished washing the dishes.

Gina could hear her aunt’s favourite soapie playing on the television. She lingered in the doorway and waited, while she sent a quick message to Busi – her aunt now allowed her to use her phone for a while, around supper time.

Been summoned by the B. dunno whats up now.

There wasn’t time for Busi to reply before Aunt Sophie picked up the remote control and, to her surprise, turned to Gina. Turning off the TV in the middle of her favourite soapie was something that had never happened before. Ever.

“Sit down Gina.”

Gina moved into the room.

“And for heaven’s sake switch that thing off,” said Aunt Sophie, indicating her phone. “I want to talk to you.”

Oh God, thought Gina to herself. What have I done now?

Aunt Sophie turned to her as she sat down.

“I know what you’ve been up to.”

Gina frowned and looked down. What could her aunt mean? Did she know about Tyler? Sarah?

She was still thinking, her mind racing, when her aunt spoke again.

“For goodness sake girl, look at me.”

Gina raised her eyes. She was totally surprised. Her aunt was smiling!

“I know that you have been studying the hardest that you ever have in your entire life!”

Gina sighed with relief, and covered it with a faint smile. “I have Aunt Sophie. It’s true.”

Her aunt held her gaze, and then she wasn’t smiling anymore. She was frowning, but not angrily.

“I also know you go to the boy Tyler’s house sometimes. After school.”

Gina swallowed hard and looked down. She said nothing.

“Gina.” Her aunt’s tone was firm, but held no anger. “Gina,” she said again, “look at me.”

Gina looked up.

“You are so much like your mother that sometimes I cannot bear it.”

Gina was shocked to see her aunt’s eyes filling with tears.

“You are even more beautiful than she was. And cleverer too, I think.”

Good grief, thought Gina. She’s smiling at me again!

“You are nearly grown up Gina,” continued Aunt Sophie. “Nearly done with school.”

“Yes Aunt,” said Gina softly.

“I don’t know if you have thought about next year at all?”

Gina was silent. She shrugged a little.

“I thought I might study. If I get the marks.”

“There isn’t money for that.”

“I know Aunt Sophie. Maybe I could get a scholarship. A bursary,”

“Maybe.”

Aunt Sophie shifted on the sofa. She straightened her back.

“But one thing you are not doing, my girl, is lying around my house playing on your cellphone all day!”

“No Aunt Sophie.”

Gina noticed that her aunt’s eyes had become steely again.

“I will give you a two week holiday. Two weeks after your exams. And then you must work.”

Gina nodded, and moved to stand up. “Yes Aunt Sophie,” she said.

“Sit down,” said Aunt Sophie firmly. “I am not done yet.”

Sophie sat back down, stifling a deep sigh as she did so.

“You know the woman I work for has a number of shops?”

Gina nodded.

“Well, she has agreed to give you a job.”

“A shop girl?” asked Gina, the horror of the thought slipping into her voice.

“Yes,” said her aunt. “And what’s wrong with that? It’s the job I have done for years, and it’s been good enough to provide you with everything you need!”

“Of course Aunt Sophie,” said Gina, fearfully watching the anger that she knew so well slipping back into her aunt’s eyes. “I didn’t mean–”

“I don’t care what you meant!” continued her aunt. “You won’t work in the same shop that I manage. That I could not stand. You will work in another shop.”

“Yes, Aunt Sophie.”

Gina stood up. She could not remember when last she had had such a long conversation with her aunt. She was dying to get away – to escape to her bedroom. To chat to Busi.

“Not so fast Gina,” said her aunt firmly. “I have not finished.”

“Yes Aunt.”

“We will wait to see your results, but if you have done well, then I will pay for you to have driving lessons.”

“Driving lessons?” Gina blinked and stared in shock at her aunt.

“Yes Gina,” said Aunt Sophie, picking up the remote control. “A woman can’t walk and ride taxis her whole life you know. Especially not in America.”

“No Aunt,” said Gina. Her head was spinning.

“And one more thing,” said her aunt, but at the same time as she switched on the television, so that Gina could hardly hear what she said. She moved closer.

“What was that Aunt Sophie?” she asked.

Her Aunt Sophie turned to her.

“I said that there was one other thing.”

“Yes?”

“If you work well, and don’t let me down, then I promise to double every cent you make.”

Gina was silent. She was completely lost for words.

“Travelling costs money Gina.”

Gina stared at her. Aunt Sophie had turned back to her soapie, and was turning up the volume. “Now leave me alone,” she said loudly. “I’ve completely lost track of what’s happening now.”

Gina walked slowly to her bedroom. She could not stop smiling.

She took out her phone. She had so much to tell Busi. And Tyler too.

And then there was that final exam to prepare for. She was ready.

***

Tell us what you think: How had Aunt Sophie found out? Do you have any sympathy for Aunt Sophie, and how she treats Gina? How would you feel at this point if you were Aunt Sophie?