Chapter 2

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'Since when do you have business cards?' Jess asked, looking at her sister.

'Since this is the twenty-first century.' Ash snorted.

'Thought that would be far too corporate for you?'

'Girl's got to make a living somehow.'

'And just getting a normal paying job would be too easy?'

Ash grimaced. 'Why would you wish something so mundane on me?' She placed her hand over her heart dramatically as she led them round the back of the police station.

'Might be an easier life for you,' Jess ventured, her teasing tone turning serious.

'Might be more boring too.'

Jess reached out and snagged her sister by the shoulder. 'It's not a cop out to have a nice, mundane, boring life.'

Ash sighed. 'We've had this conversation before.'

'But you never seem to listen.'

'I don't think it's me that doesn't listen.'

The sisters stared at each other before looking away.

'I just got here. Can we not fight?' Ash asked.

'I don't understand the aversion you have to doing things the normal way, especially after how we were raised.'

'Jess, you're more than welcome to live your life how you want. Did I kick up a fuss when you said you wanted to go to university? Did Nana?'

'No,' Jess grudgingly admitted.

'Then focus on that and let me live mine, okay?'

Jess shrugged, and Ash rubbed her head. It was an uneasy truce, but it was at least a ceasefire for now.

'Where'd you park?' Jess said, changing the subject.

'Behind the police van.'

Jess squinted, but couldn't make out much. The county must have been trying to save on electricity because almost all the street lights were off. She fished out her phone to guide their steps, though Ash seemed to have less trouble avoiding the cracks in the pavement.

Jess couldn't help but smile as they rounded the police van. Their Nana's RV stood just as large and awkward as she remembered from her childhood.

'You repainted it?' Jess asked, looking at the white paint job with blue stripes.

'Deep purple may have worked for Nana, but it didn't roll with me.'

'I still can't believe you kept it.'

'Couldn't imagine selling it. Besides, where else would I have lived? Can you imagine if I bought a two-storey townhouse in the suburbs? The locals would pitch a fit.' Ash laughed to herself as she fished the keys from her purse and unlocked the door, holding it open for Jess to go in first.

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