Meet the Cast
Here are some of the main players in Tina's Torment. Most of them appear in one or more other books in the series.
Chloe describes her as a bold courageous adventurer, who turns into a what the Chartwell nasties would call a spotty, four-eyed swot. Tina describes herself as: “Tall for my age, heavily built with a tendency toward plumpness, a sallow complexion and perpetually untidy dark hair. There were no saving graces. The ugliness of national-health glasses and braces paled into insignificance compared to my contentious nature – a direct consequence of having to fight for every concession.”
She had real body issues. At ten: “Mum’s hairdresser friend chopped all my hair to the same length – ultra-short. So in my shorts and tee-shirt handed down from Simon, and with my height and build, I must have appeared more male than female.”
At 14: “At I was pleased to be wearing a new skirt and a skinny-rib sweater, the effect being quite flattering. I watched his eyes sweep me up and down in the way I’d seen other men stare at pretty girls – the sensation was gratifying.”
Chloe was Tina’s best friend all through junior school, but they drifted apart at high school.
Tina says Chloe was a delightful child – petite and feminine with a delicate, rosy-cheeked beauty, topped by golden curls any Miss Pears would have been proud of. Add a winning smile and compliant nature, and it was easy to see why everyone adored her. Of course, this should have made her utterly insufferable, but she never had to struggle to get her own way, so on the odd occasion she couldn’t win, she accepted defeat with grace.
Justin Palmer
Tina’s first crush – turns out handsome is as handsome does.
Here’s her first impression: “The other one was taller still, slim and obviously in charge. The sun raised highlights in his blond hair, giving him the appearance of a young Greek god, and I felt a peculiar sensation inside.”
Drew Masters
Drew - one of the few boys in their class Chloe could tolerate, describing the rest as far too loud, obnoxious or both. He was different in other ways: stylish, with long, floppy hair and an arty scarf which he kept on until one of the teachers demanded he remove it. His mannerisms were similarly flamboyant.
Danny Thomas
The dark haired, stocky one seemed vaguely familiar – maybe I’d seen him at school. Taller than me, with spotty skin, the dark frown made him mean, moody and tough. I couldn’t decide which boy to write to: the strong, cheerful one I’d sailed a boat with; the gentle, caring one who bought me cheesecake; the silent, moody one who took me to the pictures or the angry, reproachful one who brought me back.
Julie Hart
A nasty piece of work who causes problems for both girls.
Tina’s first encounter didn’t go well. I couldn’t help but be aware of the malevolent glares aimed my way from Julie and her cronies. One of the other girls noticed, warning me she was a notorious bully, and not someone to make an enemy of. Julie leapt to her feet, standing toe-to-toe as she tried to tower over me. “How dare you bring your disgusting lezzie filth in here – you should be banned, you should.” Several lines ran through my mind, tempting me to suggest she wasn’t my type, or comment on what kind of statement her bovver boots and butch haircut made.
When she got to college, she met Lin, a bubbly, confident girl
In amongst the sea of masculine faces, I spotted one lone female, sitting apart like an outcast. I made a bee-line for the empty seat next to her and our relieved smiles spoke of a common bond. An only child, she lived near Norton, a big town forty miles east. I got the impression her family were well off. She was in digs locally, and they bought her a car so she could go home whenever she wanted.
“I wish I’d got your will-power, but I can’t resist the odd cream cake or bar of chocolate. I’ll always be cuddly, but it’s part of my appeal.”
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