Robbie is surrounded by people at the school gates when Caroline goes to meet him at the end of the day. Most of them are girls, some of the prettiest and most popular in the school.
Robbie doesn't seem to have any trouble talking to them as he smiles and flirts away. Soon Caroline remembers that he's slept with most of them and is well known for being one of the most 'active' boys in school. It's no surprise really when you look at him, she thinks. Tall, handsome and with a cocky, easygoing nature that seems to win most people over.
Before Caroline has the chance to greet her friend, he has already left with one of the most attractive girls from the crowd. She feels slightly hurt that her friend had forgotten her before realising that there's nothing strange about Robbie leaving school without her. She's hardly his usual company and only really hangs out with her because they're old family friends.
Caroline watches Robbie pulls out a box of cigarettes from his blazer pocket as he leave the school premises, offering one to his female companion before taking another and lighting up. While it would have once struck Caroline as odd to see her friend smoking away like that, now it's just usual behaviour for a boy like him.