From some weird detached place I watch all those emotions I’ve been bottling up swirl in my chest like a tornado forming. It was so slow at first, almost lazy, but it picks up speed fast and the feeling fascinates me. I’m not even sure I want to stop it.

Rhiannon’s hand on my shoulder pulls me out of it.

‘Cuz, I … I’m sorry. I didn’t mean …’

As much trouble as she can be, Rhi never means to hurt anyone. She isn’t a cruel person, just oblivious, and there isn’t a mean bone in her body. It makes it hard to stay mad at her. I watch the guilt on her face and feel the swirling stop.

I choke it all down and find my voice, even if I can’t look at her. ‘You’re right. Help me get this clean?’

‘Sure thing!’ Rhi’s glad to have something to do. She sprints inside for the dustpan and I start picking up the glass shards. The water has almost evaporated, at least the heat is good for something. We collect the glass in silence for a bit, but Rhi isn’t one for quiet.

‘So … are you okay, cuz?’

God, I’m already sick of her asking me that.

‘Don’t tell Mum what you heard, okay?’

Rhi likes being first in with news, but me throwing the bottle, or maybe just seeing me lose it, scares her.

‘No worries. But I think it’s goin round so you might not ave much time.’

I give her a smile.

‘Thanks, cuzzie, you the best.’

‘Sides,’ she continues, ‘Tyrone and Clinton are out of lock-up, they’ll tell the truth.’

I snort. ‘You reckon? If they’re not in Troy’s pocket, they’re stuck right up his—’

‘True, but that was before he dumped em out at the Potters’, now they lookin to corner im as much as our mob are.’

I finally stop looking for small slivers of glass and check my hands to see if I’ve caught any. If the little cousins step on glass Mum will kill me, but I’ve done the best I can.

Turning to Rhi I put my hands on my hips, considering. ‘You reckon they’d talk to us?’

‘Course, cuzzie. Me and Tyrone go waaay back. You memba that time I was itchy—’

‘God no!’ I yelp, bolting up the stairs to get my shoes. The sound of Rhi’s laughter follows me.