‘They found out. Someone saw me drive up to the reservoir and you comin down. It’s all bullshit anyway, Tace, don’t worry bout it.’ He tries to push past me again but I hold firm.

‘How can I not worry? I’m the reason ya got hurt.’

‘No.’ He stops trying to push my hand away and turns so he can look me in the eyes. ‘I’m doing this for May. And in some part for you and Laney, but mostly for her. I’m sorry, Tace, but she’s the one I care about.’

I flinch and finally let go. ‘Thanks for the honesty.’ My ego could’ve done without it. ‘Still, if ya hadn’t met me at the reservoir ya wouldn’tve got hurt. Does this mean ya can’t come with me taday?’ I kind of hate myself for how weak and small my voice sounds.

‘No way, I’m comin!’ Sam spits the words and the violent rejection isn’t aimed at me. I could practically taste the rebellion. ‘I promised Aunty that I’d take ya. Do ya think ya can get away?’

‘No problem. They don’t get back from searching till about seven so we got heaps of time.’

‘We can head straight from school. They can’t do much worse.’

I fight another flinch. Sam would hate it if he thought I pitied him.

‘Yeah but no point flauntin it. And besides, just cos your mob know don’t mean mine …’ My voice trails off. If the Millers know it won’t be long till others do too and then someone will tell Mum. Instead of putting me off it urges me to move faster. ‘It has to be today then. I’ll walk around the corner up past the fire station; we’ll have to make it quick.’

He gives me a little salute. ‘Is it okay if I head to class now, Miss?’

I glare and nod.

‘Good. Think you could leave the boys’ toilets then?’

His cheeky grin makes me flush with embarrassment. Damn, I forgot where we are.

‘You go first. If it’s safe for me to come out, tap the wall once softly.’

He walks out with another salute. Not long after the thumping boom of a fist on corrugated iron sends me squealing from the toilet. I slap him on the arm as I bolt past; he’s too busy laughing to notice.

Day 4, Afternoon

Day 4, Afternoon