‘Meet me at the back of the toilets after class? I need your help. It’s for Laney.’

Sam stops mucking around as his computer lets out a little chime. I watch but can’t see a thing because he’s angled his body to block the view of his screen from Mr Duffy and the whole room. The next minute my own computer chimes.

‘Okay.’

My clandestine meeting with a Miller boy is set. With my heartbeat picking up in fear, I talk myself through my plan again. I need Sam’s help and he might not be willing to give it. I’m not sure what it will take, but it doesn’t seem like a small thing asking someone to help you get access to their crazy old aunty on the sly.

If it helps me find Laney it’ll all be worth it.

There aren’t too many places you can hide in school. Hell, if you fart in this town at least two people will hear you and a few hours later the story will be you’ve shit your pants. Meeting at school isn’t smart, but it is also my only option. If I get caught doing this with a Miller boy I’ll get grounded; if I get caught meeting one at night on my own, my life is dirt. His too. Only I will be luckier because Mum doesn’t believe in bashing your kids. Everyone knows what Sam’s mum and dad are like. He’s taking the biggest risk, and he could’ve told me to piss off. I’d been bracing for that.

The toilet block for the big kids sits behind the Big Building, a little white unit like any other with the entrances on the sides and facing towards the rest of the school. The back of the block is a solid wall with two small, high windows. Leaning against said wall, I keep a close eye out. The playground on my left is empty for now, and gives a bit of cover from the road running past the school. The science building, an old demountable connected to the main one by a tin-covered walkway, is to the right. The little verandah that leads into the science block has another set of port racks just for the year eights. In front of me is a little veggie patch along the chain-link fence; the bright idea of some science teacher a few years back. It was supposed to be better than sitting in a classroom learning, but you try digging in rock-hard dirt during one of our summers and tell me it’s fun.