Evie texted her folks and then Carly, just <I’m fine at friends home Sun Mon. Sorry>. Then she switched off to avoid getting a call and tirade from Mum or Dad. Mat and Damien seemed to be doing much the same, although it took them longer — perhaps they had bigger friendship circles than she. After that, silence descended. Evie watched the road a little, but she found her gaze constantly drawn back to Mat, little sidelong glances. Donna and Wiri were arguing in low voices in the front, and Damien seemed to be dozing, sprawled all the way across the back seat. Mat met her eyes finally. ‘We were all going to the Green Day concert tonight in Wellington, but …’ Mat’s voice trailed off desultorily, then he shrugged. ‘This is more important.’ He sounded nervous, speaking to her. She’d been dealing with the public for a couple of years now, and boys were nothing terribly new to her. She liked him, though, and felt a little jittery, too. Already his good opinion mattered to her.
