Read Online Tumble Creek by Louise Forster - Free Book Online Page A

around especially with high school girls. Sofie reached for Claudia’s hands, held them close to her chest, and tried to ignore her daughter’s growing alarm. Okay, here goes. ‘Britt’s place was ransacked.’ Wide-eyed, angry and frightened, Claudia gasped and tugged her hands to free them, but Sofie held on. ‘No, listen. Brock said whoever did it were professionals looking for something Britt has hidden.’ She took a deep breath and carefully added, ‘Someone also ransacked the back of our house and painted a message on the wall not to contact police. Because I was friends with Britt they think there’s a connection. In any case, we can’t stay at Britt’s like I hoped, and I can’t get a hotel booking either. So Brock invited us to stay at his house for a little while. Are you okay with that?’
    Claudia’s pretty face screwed up like she smelled something truly disgusting. ‘What?!’ Then her mouth fell open and her face paled as scarier information filtered through. ‘Someone wrote crap on our house?’
    â€˜Yes, sweetheart. But Claud, listen, we’ll be safe with Brock. He’s well liked in the community, he has a three-bedroom house and he’s hardly ever there.’ Her heart wanted that to be a lie but for her own peace of mind she hoped it was true. The less she saw of him the better.
    Black and white make-up smeared all over her face, Claudia backed away. Hands on hips she readied for a full-blown argument. ‘Mum!’ Claudia’s voice pitched higher, ‘The message said not to contact police and you want us to live with one! What is wrong with you?’
    â€˜I see your point, sweetheart.’ Sofie placed a gently hand on Caludia’s shoulder. ‘Isn’t there a saying, keep your friends close, but keep your enemies closer?’
    â€˜That is so screwed up, Mum.’ Frowning, Claudia shook her head. ‘I have a lot of respect for Brock but—’
    â€˜Oh, how come?’ Sofie cut in, curious. ‘You’ve barely said two words to him.’
    â€˜The other day when I was walking through the park, he was sitting on a step at the bottom of the fancy band rotunda, he was talking to a kid who’d just been bullied. Building him up, spending time with him. At school the next day, I asked the kid what the detective wanted. He said that it would be difficult, but if he showed no reaction, the bullies would get bored. And to come to police boxing club Tuesday and Thursday after school.’ Claudia smiled, knowingly. ‘Then Brock, at the last disco night, he laughed and joked with a bunch of guys as he took their alcohol off them that they were trying to smuggle in. So, I have a lot of respect for Brock, but you can forget the idea of me living in his house—’ she waved her arms about, ‘—for who knows how long.’
    â€˜But if he’s a great guy, why?’
    â€˜Do you have any idea what staying with “The Rock”,’ she said, sarcastically wobbling her head from side to side, ‘would do to me at school? I’d be laughed at, a social pariah.’ She dramatically threw her hands in the air. ‘They’ll accuse me of spying or something ridiculous like that. No way. I’m staying right here,’ she finished, emphasising her stance by pointing to the floor.
    The sound of Jennifer singing Pink’s song ‘Raise Your Glass’ preceded her as she trundled up the stairs, her footsteps taking her along the hall to their room. ‘What’s going on?’ she asked entering the ensuite.
    Sofie filled her in, finishing with Britt’s house and Brock’s order, which, she added, was the safest idea, except Claudia didn’t want to go. And she sure as hell wasn’t leaving her behind.
    â€˜Ooh,’ Jennifer shivered. ‘Go stay with Brock. We’ll look after Claud.’
    â€˜What am I, some sort of