I hear it in her voice.

Ghost girl’s got a secret.

I want to ask what it is,

like maybe an old witch is keeping her chained up

– or maybe she’s allergic to the sun

– or maybe she’s just shy or something.

But that’s the thing with secrets.

Some are best kept hidden.

‘Course,’ I say quietly.

‘So what do you wanna do next?’

He stands and starts walking back along the beach to pick Jonah up.

‘Maybe you could show me more paintings?’

‘Is that what you really want to do?

You don’t seem like the type to be into graffiti,

with it being illegal and everything.’

I open my mouth and close it again, because I suppose it is. When I think about it, I’ve perhaps done more illegal things with Rowan than I have my entire life. And that’s both exciting and terrifying.

‘What do you like to do?

Art? Music?

BDSM?’

He says it in the present tense. I almost forget to tut at him.

‘I used to like to cycle.’

‘Really?’

I think about it and actually – no – I didn’t. I liked it well enough when I was streaming with Wes– I shake my head again.

But back when I could ride my bike, I spent more time going down mountains than I did on the roads. And even then I was only doing it because Dad was.

If it were up to me, I’d be spending all my time underwater.

As he walks, I see a building emerge beside us, standing tall in the middle of the traffic on the road above, like a castle with a moat.

‘The Aquatic Centre,’ I breathe.

I slip my hands into my empty pockets.

‘Ain’t that just for little kids?’

‘No!’ I say, ignoring all the children pointing at the sharks on the billboards around the sides.

I remember coming here before. Dad took me on one of our adventure days. I remember feeling as though I were under the water, swimming through coral reefs and following fish on their circuits. It was what started my swimming lessons. What started me thinking that I might want to be a marine biologist one day.

It’s what started Me.

Rowan’s quiet and I see the prices listed on the side.

‘I’ll buy the ticket online tonight,’ I say. ‘We can go tomorrow.’

Tomorrow.

I could probably bunk off school again.

Let’s be honest –

only Jonah would notice if I

d i s a p p e a r e d.

Rowan steps up off the beach and starts walking to the road, to where the cars thunder.

My finger hovers over the disconnect button.

‘Okay, ghost girl.

Tomorrow it is.’

40

Alice

It’s movie night and Cecelia isn’t here. But Mum is.