Now I pad downstairs, rubbing my eyes. I hardly slept—my dog Bella is usually curled by my feet and I miss the warmth of her body and even her rhythmic snores. I must have nodded off for a few minutes because I woke from a nightmare. Oliver and Marissa— the most popular girl at my school—were closing the massive door of a spooky-looking mansion with me on the outside, ear pressed to the dark wood, listening to them laugh. When I first started at West Creek High School, Marissa allowed me to join her tight friendship circle. I was one of only a few who received a charm bracelet on her birthday, a gift I highly treasured until our friendship turned sour. I know the nightmare is just my fear rising from when I thought, months ago, that Oliver liked Marissa not me. But he’s just a friendly guy and I know that’s not true.

The rest of the night, I worried about the cold, and tossed and turned as expectations and doubts about the trip swirled. I haven’t learnt much about my father since I landed, except that he lives in a new expensive house, and loves Chinese food and camping.

Halfway down the stairs, I stop. I can hear my father whispering to Jaxon. ‘You got it, bud? I don’t want her knowing yet, it’s too …’ Adam’s voice lowers and I strain to hear.

‘No problem,’ Jaxon says.

They stop talking and dishes start clanking.

‘Hi,’ I say from the bottom of the staircase, scanning their faces, hoping to see a sign of what they were talking about. What’s the secret? What doesn’t he want me knowing?

‘Morning!’ my father says cheerfully, spreading jam on toast, his hair wet from the shower.

‘Excited, or what?’ Jaxon asks me. ‘There’s nothing better than snow camping. Literally. Can’t wait. The weather looks perfect. Coffee! Who wants coffee, and Pop-Tarts anyone?’ He’s bouncing around like a kid.

I’m tired and not hungry. With a wince, I put my hand to my pelvis as my stomach cramps. If I could tap my heels Dorothy-style, I’d be back home now, lying on the couch in my pyjamas watching TV with Paula, dipping her homemade cookies into a mug of tea, Bella curled by my feet.

Melody comes downstairs, yoga mat under her arm. She puts it down in the living room and sits with her legs folded in the lotus position. Her eyes look bleary.