Bad things happen to good people.

This is a hard truth, and it hits everyone at some time.

It’s hitting my best friend, Eli Kelly, right now.

I watch it sting him like a hornet. The shock of it blisters as tries to eat his birthday cake. It’s meant to be a happy family party, but the yells from the grown-ups are just too much.

‘No way. You’ve gotta be kidding me!’

His Uncle Samson has just got a call from the courthouse. ‘Jacob’s trial is in a month! Why so quick? That’s not enough time to get a proper defence together!’

Eli scrunches up his mouth in an I’m-okay face, but I know he’s not. Jacob Wilson is Eli’s cousin, and he was arrested for theft last week. The adults flood in from the front yard, Eli and I sit stunned on the lounge.

Beside us Baby Morris starts to howl and Eli’s grandmother, Turtle, hauls him up. Baby Morris is covered in green icing. Turtle spits on her hand and wipes it over his growling face before carrying him into the kitchen.

‘What else did the lawyer say, Samson?’ she asks.

Samson’s deep voice vibrates. ‘They are going to hold him until the trial. He can’t come home.’

I glance over at Eli. ‘Do you wanna go outside?’

He nods.

I know he’s upset…

Continue reading the extract here…

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