Reprise

Chapter 22

Chapter Twenty-Two

'As of today, kids, I'm a published author,' Dad says, and he pours himself another glass of wine. Mum is sitting at the kitchen bench, flipping through a recipe book as if she's actually going to cook anything from it, and taking large swigs from her glass.

Dad pours Daniel a full glass of wine and pours me enough for about three sips, because technically I'm still underage, and although Dad knows that I drink like crazy, he doesn't like to encourage it. Really, it's hypocritical of him because I know when he was in his final years at Hilverton he was drunker than anyone, except maybe his band mate George, who was apparently notorious for getting wasted.

As much as I'm happy for Dad's book hitting shelves today, I'm also worried. The police haven't followed up since they last interrogated Dad, but I know they're still curious about a few things that happened on the day George died, and I don't want them to start investigating again, because I'm worried about what they'll find. This book coming out also means that people all over Australia will be reading about what my father and his friends got up to in the eighties, and I'm worried. As far as I know, Julian still doesn't know that his mother dated George, and I'm worried how it will affect him.

Daniel is going out to dinner tonight, so he's wearing a dress shirt and he has his hair pulled back into the neatest ponytail that he is capable of. He told us he is going out with friends from school, but by the way he's dressed I suspect he's actually got a date. He clinks glasses with Dad, finishes his wine, and then heads out the front door, leaving me with my parents in the kitchen.

'So, Benny, have you got any plans for the weekend?' Dad asks.

'Uh, actually, Mum, I wanted to talk to you about that. I know there's the fundraising ball on. I was wondering if it would be a good idea if I came? Apparently Ainsley is going...' I trail off, wondering if Ainsley will actually want me there anymore. Regardless, I have to go, because Blazon and I are going to try to get evidence of Taylor's unfaithfulness on film.

Mum looks startled. 'You want to come to the fundraiser? Do you have a dress? I didn't know you wanted to do that sort of thing, but yes, you should come! You'll love it, Veronica. Quite a few kids come along. The bartenders are great, it's all for charity of course, but they do plenty of lovely mocktails for the students so that you can get involved.'

This is the most enthusiastic I have seen Mum in a long time. She's even abandoned her glass of wine. I can see a smile on Dad's face, and I wonder what he's thinking.

'Oh, and I forgot the best part,' Mum says. 'We're even organising a photo booth this year. It should be loads of fun.'

'A photo booth?' I say. 'Sounds like a perfect place for a couple to hook up in secret.'

Mum frowns

'Nevermind,' I say quickly. 'I think I have a dress I can wear, but do you think I could borrow your Tiffany necklace?'

Mum pauses, but I can tell she's in such a good mood and suddenly she claps her hands together and says, 'You know what? Sure! It'll look lovely.'

*

'Oi, dude, you're still my friend,' Julian is saying to me. 'But Ains isn't talking to you, Watson isn't talking to you, and Leo is pretty pissed at you. It's hard to hang out with you too much when two of my other closest friends refuse to acknowledge your existence.'

'Point taken,' I say.

'I thought you should know that Ains and Watson aren't exactly on good terms either.'

We're sitting in the art studio before school. It's almost time for first period but Julian still hasn't started cleaning up his stuff. He's been painting since about seven this morning, and I've been hanging out with him, purely because I miss hanging out with my friends. After Jareth dumped Ainsley and I had a fight with Watson I haven't been able to hang out with the rest of the group much. It actually sucks.