Page 2 of Sugarloaf Ridge Lies

Georgie beams. “I have rainbow undies on.” She runs off in the direction of the monkey bars.

“That’s perhaps a little bit too much information, Georgie,” I say, knowing she won’t have caught a word of what I’ve said.

Principal Young chuckles.

“Guess what,” Oliver from my class says from behind, remnants of chocolate around his mouth, hands behind his back.

I smile. “What?”

Oliver shoves a plastic zip-locked type bag towards me, the contents of which appear to be crumbled biscuits. “I made cookies with my mum. Do you want one?”

How sweet. “No thank you, but I appreciate the offer.”

He shrugs and fists a handful of crumbs into his mouth. “My dog pooed on the rug this morning.”

“Oh.” I press my lips together to stop myself from laughing.

“My dad said a bad word.” He bares his cookie-covered teeth and laughs.

I would, too, little guy.

Oliver races off and offers his bag of crumbs to another child.

“From the mouths of babes,” Gareth says.

“Their honesty kills me sometimes.” I laugh and check my watch.

The school bell sounds, announcing the end of first break. Children rush from all corners of the yard towards the old, brick building.

“We’d best be getting back to class. Like I’ve said before, Liv, if you need any assistance, please don’t hesitate to ask.”

“I will.”

That afternoon, between reading time and art, I glance out the window, despite Principal Young’s warning.

***

“Youhaveto come, girl,” Nat says as we flick through outdated gossip magazines in the teacher’s lounge at lunch. “Let your hair down.” She untangles her long lashes from her dark brown bangs.

It’s the third time she’s asked me this week. If anything, she’s persistent. “Where is this bonfire again?” I toss my magazine back on the pile, having found nothing to hold my attention.

“Out at Banridge Station, on the outskirts of town.”

“I promised my aunt I’d help with her taxes this weekend.” I’ve been putting it off for months. Whilst I studied bookkeeping, I’m pretty sure Aunt Jean can do them herself. Maybe this is her way of checking in on me. I don’t want her to think I’m not managing.

Nat bats her lashes and widens her eyes. “Truly? You’d rather spend your Easter Saturday night flicking through receipts than kickin’ your heels up?” She tosses her cascading hair off her shoulder.

I let out a huff.No. Of course, doing taxes is the last thing I want to do. The bonfire would be a good opportunity to make friends outside of school. Sometimes the whispers amongst the staff are a bit much. Nat and I have really gelled, which I’m grateful for. It was much easier to make friends before.Before everything changed.

“Okay. Point taken.” Perhaps a few drinks will help with a solid night’s sleep; the nightmares lately are taking a toll on my mental stability. “Is your fiancé coming?”

She’s mentioned Carter a few times but we’re yet to meet.

A wide smile spreads across her full lips, and the apples of her rounded cheeks swell. “Ah-huh. He’s doing a few numbers with the band later in the evening.”

“Really? What does he play?”

“He sings. He’s done a few pub gigs, but this is the biggest event he’s sung at, crowd wise.”

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