“Absolutely,” I say. “Especially after what Jenny did with the mice. She’ll be lucky if I don’t screw Will right in front of her.”
“That’s my girl.”
I turn to see Ada, shockingly casual in jeans, boots, and a long military-style jacket I’ve never seen her in before. “That’s… A new look.”
She plucks at an olive-green sleeve. “Ah, you know my parents hate it when I dress like the skank I am.”
“You’re not a skank. But when you’re around them you usually…”
I let my voice trail off as nerves clang inside me. WhyhasAda ditched the Sunday-school drag she always wears for her parents? I chew my lower lip, debating whether to risk an outright ask. I don’t exactly trust my best friend to take care of herself right now… then again, we’ll only be apart for a few hours. What trouble could she possibly get herself into at 10 a.m. in Pukekohe?
“I’m gonna get dressed,” I say. “Gimme five minutes.”
When I’m ready, we exit the hotel and walk to the car park. I toss Ada my keys, and she clambers behind the wheel, flexing each of her fingers the way she used to before she played the flute.
“Dude, I genuinely can’t remember the last time I drove.”
“Just keep left and don’t run over any kids.”
“I’ll do my best…”
The nostalgia playlist kicks in, but we don’t sing as Ada cruises the short distance to my old house.
“Have fun,” she says, pulling up to my curb. “Say ‘hi’ to your mum from me.”
“I will.”
I’m about to shut the door when I see how pale Ada is. Her hands are clenched around the wheel. Another stab of worry runs through me. “Do you want to come in for a cup of tea before you go?”
She flicks on the indicator. “Nah, I’m all good. I’ll see you back at the hotel at three, yeah?”
Feeling like I don’t have much of a choice, I reluctantly shut thedoor and watch my Toyota turn around the corner and out of sight. I exhale deeply, check the mailbox, and despite my nerves, I can’t help but smile as I head up the familiar porch steps.
The door swings open before I can knock. Mum pulls me into a tight hug that smells of laundry powder and White Musk from The Body Shop.
“Welcome home,” she cries like I’m a hero back from war and not someone she had brunch with two months ago.
“Kia ora, Mum. It’s nice to be home.”
“Come on in,” she singsongs, grabbing my hand. “I’ve got a surprise for you!”
Hopefully she won lotto, and it’s a pile of money...
“Taa-daa!” Mum announces, tugging me into the kitchen. My heart drops. It’s not a pile of money. My brother is parked at the end of the breakfast bar, holding a cup of coffee. He lifts it in a salute.
“Hey, Cee.”
My mouth falls open. I haven’t seen Tristan in person for three years, yet here he is. He must be coming to the reunion. He didn’t say he was, but he must be.
Tristan’s sister, a voice whispers in the back of my head.Tristan Taylor’s little sister.
“Oh my God!” I say, a beat too late. “Tris! You’re here!”
“Wanted to surprise you,” he says, standing to pull me into a hug, seemingly oblivious to my shock. Or purposefully ignoring it.
I hug him back, no laundry powder here, just expensive aftershave. “It’s so good to see you. Are Caroline and Maisie here?”
“Nah, it’s a last-minute trip.” He pulls away, flipping his fringe off his face. “Like the hair?”
