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Authors: S. M. Hall
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myself.’
‘So you were puttin’ it on when you said Gerard was cute?’
‘Yes, of course.’
Zac nodded. ‘I don’t think you need worry too much. Gerard’s probably sellin’ them a few Es and a bit of blow. It’s, like, not serious. More people get wasted by
alcohol than drugs.’
‘Yes, I know but it doesn’t feel right. And I can’t work out whether it’s more about them or me. I wasn’t around this summer and since I’ve come back
everything seems to have changed. It feels different, I feel like an outsider.’
‘They’re just tryin’ stuff – it’ll pass.’
Maya sipped her drink. ‘But what if it doesn’t? What if they get hooked and get into hard stuff and I stood by and did nothing about it?’ She made a sulky face. ‘OK. I
know you think I’m weird.’
Zac shook his head. ‘You’re not weird.’
‘You don’t know me,’ Maya said. ‘It’s like I see something’s wrong and I can’t leave it. I always want to sort it, to make things right. I don’t
know if it’s because of my mum’s job or what happened to me when I was little, but I have this massive need to interfere. Realistically, I know I can’t sort everything out, but it
doesn’t stop me trying.’
Leaning across the table, Zac took hold of Maya’s hand. ‘Because you’re brave and special.’
‘Not really,’ Maya said.
‘I think so. I heard a rumour that you nearly got yourself killed this summer savin’ your mum from terrorists.’
Maya smiled. ‘Yeah, but I’m still here, still crazy. Come on, let’s go. I need some fresh air.’
* * *
The rain had stopped and the sun was shining. As they walked up to the park, Zac took Maya’s hand and it felt good. People had come out onto the streets to enjoy what
could be the last of the summer sun. A dark, dangerous place by night, the park was claimed by families and joggers in the daytime. A little kid in bright red anorak came racing past them on her
tricycle, an anxious father running along after her. A couple of dogs sniffed at each other then trotted past.
By the edge of a lake, they stopped and sat down on a park bench. Above them, the leaves of a weeping willow rustled softly in the breeze, two swans glided on the water. It should have been a
romantic spot, but both were occupied with their own thoughts. Relieved to have delivered the drugs and got Gerard off her back, Maya sat gazing into the distance, planning her next move.
Meanwhile, Zac was glancing sideways, admiring Maya’s profile and wondering if a girl like her could possibly fancy him.
He slipped his arm around Maya and she leaned her head on his shoulder, looking down at his long, delicate fingers. She longed for him to kiss her. It would be great to have a boyfriend
who’d come round to the flat on cold winter nights – they’d study together, listen to music . . . get close. But she couldn’t relax and stop her mind working. Nagging
worries about Kay and Leona and Evie invaded her mind. Where had they gone, what were they up to? And where had Gerard gone with his stash of drugs?
‘If Gerard makes trouble, you can count on me,’ Zac said, as if he were reading her thoughts.
‘Thanks,’ Maya replied. ‘But Gerard’s a real nasty piece of work. I don’t want him going after you. The first time I saw him, he threatened me.’
She started telling Zac about her first meeting with Gerard and Gunner, but her story was interrupted by her mobile buzzing.
‘It’s Leona. I’d better see what she wants.’
When she put the phone to her ear, Leona’s voice came screaming through.
‘Maya! Thank God! Come quick. It’s Serena. She’s ODed, won’t open her eyes.’
‘Call an ambulance!’
‘I can’t. I’ll be in trouble.’
‘Get an ambulance! Now!’ Maya ordered.
‘All right I will, but please come. I’m frightened.’
‘Where are you?’
‘Serena’s flat.’
‘Is anybody else there?’
‘No, Gerard left.’
‘Hang on, I’m on my way. Call
‘So you were puttin’ it on when you said Gerard was cute?’
‘Yes, of course.’
Zac nodded. ‘I don’t think you need worry too much. Gerard’s probably sellin’ them a few Es and a bit of blow. It’s, like, not serious. More people get wasted by
alcohol than drugs.’
‘Yes, I know but it doesn’t feel right. And I can’t work out whether it’s more about them or me. I wasn’t around this summer and since I’ve come back
everything seems to have changed. It feels different, I feel like an outsider.’
‘They’re just tryin’ stuff – it’ll pass.’
Maya sipped her drink. ‘But what if it doesn’t? What if they get hooked and get into hard stuff and I stood by and did nothing about it?’ She made a sulky face. ‘OK. I
know you think I’m weird.’
Zac shook his head. ‘You’re not weird.’
‘You don’t know me,’ Maya said. ‘It’s like I see something’s wrong and I can’t leave it. I always want to sort it, to make things right. I don’t
know if it’s because of my mum’s job or what happened to me when I was little, but I have this massive need to interfere. Realistically, I know I can’t sort everything out, but it
doesn’t stop me trying.’
Leaning across the table, Zac took hold of Maya’s hand. ‘Because you’re brave and special.’
‘Not really,’ Maya said.
‘I think so. I heard a rumour that you nearly got yourself killed this summer savin’ your mum from terrorists.’
Maya smiled. ‘Yeah, but I’m still here, still crazy. Come on, let’s go. I need some fresh air.’
* * *
The rain had stopped and the sun was shining. As they walked up to the park, Zac took Maya’s hand and it felt good. People had come out onto the streets to enjoy what
could be the last of the summer sun. A dark, dangerous place by night, the park was claimed by families and joggers in the daytime. A little kid in bright red anorak came racing past them on her
tricycle, an anxious father running along after her. A couple of dogs sniffed at each other then trotted past.
By the edge of a lake, they stopped and sat down on a park bench. Above them, the leaves of a weeping willow rustled softly in the breeze, two swans glided on the water. It should have been a
romantic spot, but both were occupied with their own thoughts. Relieved to have delivered the drugs and got Gerard off her back, Maya sat gazing into the distance, planning her next move.
Meanwhile, Zac was glancing sideways, admiring Maya’s profile and wondering if a girl like her could possibly fancy him.
He slipped his arm around Maya and she leaned her head on his shoulder, looking down at his long, delicate fingers. She longed for him to kiss her. It would be great to have a boyfriend
who’d come round to the flat on cold winter nights – they’d study together, listen to music . . . get close. But she couldn’t relax and stop her mind working. Nagging
worries about Kay and Leona and Evie invaded her mind. Where had they gone, what were they up to? And where had Gerard gone with his stash of drugs?
‘If Gerard makes trouble, you can count on me,’ Zac said, as if he were reading her thoughts.
‘Thanks,’ Maya replied. ‘But Gerard’s a real nasty piece of work. I don’t want him going after you. The first time I saw him, he threatened me.’
She started telling Zac about her first meeting with Gerard and Gunner, but her story was interrupted by her mobile buzzing.
‘It’s Leona. I’d better see what she wants.’
When she put the phone to her ear, Leona’s voice came screaming through.
‘Maya! Thank God! Come quick. It’s Serena. She’s ODed, won’t open her eyes.’
‘Call an ambulance!’
‘I can’t. I’ll be in trouble.’
‘Get an ambulance! Now!’ Maya ordered.
‘All right I will, but please come. I’m frightened.’
‘Where are you?’
‘Serena’s flat.’
‘Is anybody else there?’
‘No, Gerard left.’
‘Hang on, I’m on my way. Call
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