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right, Spud,” said a suspicious Miss Spite, before turning to the board and writing on it. “King Louis the sixteenth.” Stepping out into the spring sunshine, Joe turned to Lauren. “You totally saved my butt in there.” “That’s OK. I like you.” She smiled. “Really…?” asked Joe. “Yes!” “Well, then, I wonder if…” Joe stumbled over his words. “If, well…” “Well, what…?” “If you, well, I mean you probably wouldn’t, in fact you definitely wouldn’t, I mean, why would you? You are so pretty and I am just a big lump, but…” The words were spiralling out of his mouth in all directions now, and Joe was beginning to blush fiercely with embarrassment. “Well, if you wanted to…” Lauren took over the speaking for a bit. “If I wanted to go for a walk in the park after school and maybe grab an ice lolly? Yes, I would love to.” “Really?” Joe was incredulous. “Yes, really.” “With me?” “Yes, with you, Joe Potatoe.” Joe was a hundred
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