The screeching beep from my little alarm clock is the next thing I know about the world. Bleary-eyed I flip over and turn it off. The nightmare hadn’t continued but there is a feeling like I’d had some kind of dream, something important that I really needed to remember. Shrugging it off, I tumble out of bed and head for Laney’s room. When nothing but a rumpled doona greets me, I go into panic mode. Laney likes taking risks, but she isn’t suicidal. Which you’d have to be to flout Mum’s rules so badly. Busting into Mum’s room I jump onto the bed, shaking her awake.

‘Mum, wake up. Mum! Laney didn’t come home last night!’

Mum cracks an eyelid open to frown at me.

‘I know. What’re you waking me up for; you know I got in late.’

My jaw might’ve unhinged, it drops that fast as Mum rolls back over. This woman should be angry and ranting, or worried and pacing, probably both. I’d seen her go into one of those frenzies before; this isn’t the first time Laney has broken the rules. I reattach my jaw, reach out and grab Mum’s shoulder for another shake.

‘Mum, what’s goin on? Why aren’t you crackin?’

A long suffering sigh. Mum spoke to the wall.

‘Your sister is off somewhere with that boy. The police are lookin for them.’

‘WHAT?’

‘A couple of his little gang ended up in lock-up last night; trespassin on some property. The cops came to see me at work.’ Her apathy is starting to fade and I can feel the rising fury in her tone. ‘Neither of those boys have cars and your sister was seen driving round in Troy’s car with em last night. The cops think she’s hidin out with him somewhere. Now go get ready for school.’

Knowing this isn’t safe territory I hesitantly squeeze her shoulder. ‘Mum …’

‘And don’t think I forgot that you been coverin for er too, girl.’ I flinch, pulling my hand back. ‘Get to school. And when you get home you better be ready to tell me how long this’s been goin on. Then I’ll decide your punishment.’

Busted! One difference between me and Laney is that I know when to beat a quick retreat. Even while I do it I know to be scared. This’d give Mum all day to stew and cook up a real good anger, and an even worse sentence.

Hopping into the shower I remember last night’s nightmare and scoff at myself in the bright morning light. Dreams are so stupid and my twin radar isn’t worth shit. Laney and Troy are probably somewhere hiding out trying to get their stories straight. I’ll come home and find Laney back. Then we’d both be grounded for eternity. Just freaking great.