One of the worst things about being on my uncle’s farm is the wi-fi. There are two spots on the hill where I can sometimes get a signal and check in with Emmie and see what the others are up to. Otherwise I’m relying on the wi-fi in the house, and that’s patchy too. So far, I’ve missed out on breaking into school and stealing three basketballs, Mack dressing up as Santa and stealing presents from the local fire brigade, and an all-nighter down at the lake which ended in Jackson doing a nude run.
I know there are other things I’ve missed but nobody is bothering to keep me up to date anymore. It’s like they’ve all forgotten me. And I’ve only been here a week.
Mack hasn’t responded to any of my text messages. Emmie does sometimes when she isn’t working in her aunt’s op shop, and Hugo is quiet since the tractor incident. The police never did find out about Jackson.
He just slunk away in the night and left Mack, me and Emmie to take the blame.
At least I have my own room at the farm. It’s tiny and hot as anything but it’s mine. The farmhouse is nothing special but it’s bigger than most of the houses in Shepparton. The only air conditioner is in the lounge room, but I don’t always want to chat to Harry, or Tina, so I mostly avoid it.
‘Ruby?’ Tina says as I attempt to slink past without being caught.
‘Mmm,’ I say.
‘Can you please clean the bathroom?’
‘Mmm,’ I say, reaching the kitchen and heading for the pantry.
‘Your mum said you’re happy to help with the housework. You know, because I’m enormous,’ she says, pulling herself up from the couch and wobbling towards me. She’s all belly on legs. Apparently, the fact that she’s pregnant means she can make me do a hundred jobs a day and Harry never steps in to save me…
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