There was the usual group of older girls from school sitting outside, drinking Diet Cokes. Me and Lois got enormous birthday hot choccies with flakes and whizzy cream, and sat outside too. ‘And then cake at mine after – whoop!’ said Lois. She was such a sugar-plum fairy – she loved sweet stuff. It was starting to get dark, but it wasn’t cold. Someone was having a bonfire somewhere and it smelt lovely and smoky. We cuddled our hot choccies and chatted on as the light faded. Then across the dusky park I spotted a boy on a bike riding along the path towards us. A tall boy with glasses. It really looked like Kyle. Yep, it was definitely him – he had this funny way of riding, which made his elbows stick out. I never knew why he did that. He was just weird. ‘Oh, look out – it’s my brother,’ I said. But what was he doing out? He had karate tonight. I felt a little worry niggle in my tummy. Maybe something had happened at home? I knew I should’ve gone straight back … I hadn’t been worrying nearly enough.
