My mob joke around a lot. We talk shit to each other all the time and practical jokes are normal. There are a couple of ways to be sure if someone is having a joke at your expense. Two signals that you must never ever violate or we firmly believe you’ll damn your soul to hell. One of those is looking someone in the eye when promising something, the other is to swear on the Bible.

I look square in my mother’s eyes and lie.

‘I swear to you I will not leave the house while you and Uncle are out at night.’

I’m going to burn for eternity. But if it means finding Laney it will be worth it. Still, I am bitter. She screws up and I get screwed, it’s so typical. The bitch better appreciate this.

Day 3, Night

Day 3, Night

‘Anyone home?’ Aunty Mel calls.

‘Out the back,’ Mum yells.

The searchers start arriving in dribs and drabs, grabbing their food and drinks and joining us in the backyard. It’s even quieter this time and it’s killing all of us. Rhi went and got Pop and he’s perched on the comfiest chair. Everyone keeps eyeing the empty fire pit as if it will reveal Laney’s location to them.

‘You know what I been thinkin?’ I say to the air. ‘That Troy, he’s been tellin the biggest load of bull …’ I stutter seeing my mother’s face, ‘since he got back.’

‘Yeah,’ Rhi says. ‘And Tyrone reckons he was out there lookin for somethin but he wouldn’t tell em what. You know, before he dumped them all out there to get a hidin.’

‘That boy said she never showed,’ Uncle Joe says, but more like he is thinking it over.

‘That’s not what Ty told me, Uncle, he thinks Troy took off on all of em.’

‘Maybe we need to go ask im again,’ Mum adds.

I grin evilly and look around the group to see a few frowns, a few smiles and one searching pair of eyes staring straight into mine. Pop has been trying to get me to sit with him all night, but I can’t do it. I don’t want to tell him I’ve met with a Miller, and definitely don’t want to repeat what she said. I look away, feeling his soft scoff of disappointment.

‘Come on, we’re goin to Edna’s place.’

I stand up with them all, following close around the house and head for Uncle’s car. Mum opens a door and turns to look at me.

‘Where do ya think you’re goin?’

‘With you!’ I set my jaw and get ready for it.

‘No you’re not – you’re stayin and cleanin up after dinner.’

‘What!’ My tone hits sky level and Mum’s eyebrows drop.

‘Do. As. You. Are. Told.’