I didn’t have much experience with teenage girls. Give me a room full of coppers any day. But when Leo dropped Alison off at our place, and told me something about the situation, I knew we had to look after her.
In spite of the warmth of the evening, she was shivering. My rudimentary first aid training kicked in, so I wrapped her in a blanket on the couch and brought her a cup of hot chocolate. She took it without a word, staring straight ahead, as if she didn’t see me. I couldn’t imagine what the events of the evening had been like for her, and what she would have to face in the weeks and months ahead.
She sipped her chocolate and finally managed a smile. ‘Thanks, Trent.’
I couldn’t help myself, then. I kissed her cheek. ‘You’re family, love.’
She began to cry, and the gentle snifflin
