‘Did you get the beers?’ Melissa heard Kyle say. Tom reached into the back seat and lifted a towel to reveal several cases of beer.
‘Right here, mate.’ He patted the stash with affection. ‘Where’s your sister?’
‘Who bloody knows? She always takes ages,’ Kyle grumbled.
Melissa had to agree. She was waiting self-consciously beside the car, her bag and pillow stacked on the ground at her feet. She couldn’t think of anything interesting to talk about with the older boys. What Kyle said rang true, though; Nadia was always the last one ready.
‘Here, Melissa, give me your bag and jump in. Kyle, sound the horn. Give her a hurry up.’
Melissa handed her stuff to Tom who swung it into the boot. He even opened the back door for her with a grand sweeping gesture.
Melissa cringed and climbed in. S
