Page 81 of To Hell With It

It’s all good, she’s fine.

Not as good as me?

She’s quieter.

I’m not loud.

You talk a lot.

I’m interesting.

That’s one word for it.

Thanks a lot. I’d better let you get back to it.

Yep, me too. Goodnight.

Goodnight?

It’s four in the morning.

Oh, shit, sorry! Why isn’t your phone on silent?

Just in case.

In case of what?

Let me know when you get your wallet back.

I will, thanks, Niall. Night-night.

Night.

* * *

I saw the hubcaps of Eve’s van first. They stuck out the same way the cicadas did. Luckily, I didn’t have to walk through the actual orchard – that would have been tricky with my massive bag on my back, and there was no way I would risk leaving it behind in case Eve came along and decided to take it as well.

I crept up beside the van and pressed my hands against the glass. I couldn’t see my wallet; it might not even be in there. I tried the door, but it was locked. I thought about smashing a window but even if no one heard it, the guilt of broken glass and Eve getting hurt stopped me.

When Una and I used to break into Niall’s house (before it was his house) we used sticks to prise the widows open and then hoisted each other inside, like in the movies. I scurried around for a stick, a branch, anything I could get my hands on to help me. There were plenty, but every one of them snapped.

I picked up my phone again.

Niall?

He texted back straight away.

Are you ok?

Sorry. I just don’t know how to get into the van without smashing the window?

You can’t do that.

I know, I’m not going to, but how do I get in?

You could just go and find her and ask for it back?

If she’s the sort of person who could steal someone’s wallet, I don’t think she’s just going to give it back.

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