Summary

The next morning, Emily tries to get out of going to school, not wanting to attend another swimming lesson. Her mother isn’t fooled, asking her instead if she is having trouble in her new school. Emily lies; telling her everything is fine and gets on the bus. At school, Mrs. Partington teaches long division in her first class, and Emily struggles, usually much better with mathematics, but unable to concentrate. When the bell rings, everyone leaves the class but Emily lags behind, still trying to think of a way out of the swimming lessons that came next.

Standing outside the coach, Philip Northwood calls her a teacher’s pet and Mandy calls her a show-off. Mr. Bird tells everyone to get on the bus. Julie sits across the aisle from Emily, and tells her that Philip is just jealous, but Mandy sits...