Page 50 of Sugarloaf Ridge Lies

Chapter Fourteen

Liv

Ican’t handle vomit. The burning in the throat. The heaving that’s rendered my stomach and oesophagus tender. Not the ideal start.

Nibbling on plain toast helps as I fix my hair and makeup.

“It’s all in your head.” I snatch up my keys. There’s no way I can cancel on Ms Masters. She’d run straight to the principal’s office, and he’d be far from impressed, regardless of whether she’s being difficult.

The meeting with Ms Masters proceeds as I expect. I barely get a word in and am left with a long list of action items.

Before the first bell, I just make it to the bathroom before I’m sick.

As bad as I feel about abandoning my class, I tell the front office I’m going home. I don’t know what I was thinking pushing to be here. If this is a bug, I could potentially be spreading it further.

Late in the afternoon, a knock sounds at my door. After rest, plenty of fluids, and bland food, there’s more of a spring in my step. Whatever was turning my stomach, seems to be out of my system.

Opening the door wide, Nat is front and centre, offering a sympathetic smile. “Hey, girlfriend. You any better?”

My shoulders drop with a sigh. “Much. Come on in.”

I show Nat into the living room and move the throw blankets aside to make room for her on the couch. “Tea?”

She nods and slips out of her camel-coloured trench coat. “That’d be amazing. Just black.”

“Coming right up.”

When I return to the living room with our drinks, Nat is chewing around a mouthful, an opened packet of Scotch Finger biscuits on the table. “Sorry,” she mumbles. “I’m starving. Help yourself.”

I place our teas down on timber coasters. “Thanks.”

“So, you said it came on last night?” Nat asks.

I snort and shake my head. “It was so embarrassing. I was out at Jerry’s place, and—”

“You guys are a thing.”

And I can’t get him off my mind.

“Yeah. At least I hope we are. After the most romantic evening of my life, cosying up by a campfire, things got serious.”

“Ooh,” Nat coos.

“And then I proceeded to throw up in his garden.”

She screws up her nose. “Gross.”

I nudge her shoulder with my clenched fist. “Says the woman who’s had stomach issues on and off the last few weeks.”

She bats her lashes and rolls her eyes dramatically. “That’s beside the point. Has he called you?”

“We’ve texted. He offered to come by if I needed anything.”

Nat winks. “I’d say you’re fine.”

“Hope so.” I break a biscuit lengthways and bite down on the buttery treat. “Oh, and thanks for taking playground duty for me today. I owe you.”

“Anytime. But be prepared because I might be calling in that favour sooner than you think.”

---