Page 81 of In Full Bloom

“Wasn’t she with you?” He turns on me and the always cheerful, loveable Flynn I’ve always known has vanished. He’s looking at me like something gross he stepped in. Like I’ve done something to hurt his best friend and he’s going to murder me for it.

“She was. But we had a run in with Max.”

Flynn clenches his fists. “That bastard. I’m going to?—”

“No, you’re not. Focus.” Olivia snaps and we both turn back to her. “My interview just flaked, so I’ve got plenty of time and Mum’s picking up Sadie this afternoon so she’s taken care of. We’ll find her.”

“Um,” Abi says, voice hesitant. “I’m sorry, but if you’re Olivia, I’m your interview.”

Olivia stares at Abi and so do I.

“Your interview ishere?” I say and now I understand all the mutterings about coincidences.

“Yeah, managing the function venue.”

“Wait, wait, wait.” Olivia waves her hands in the air. “You’re Abigail?” Abi nods. “And you happened to run into Dallas and give him a ride? He’s the emergency.”

“Yeah, except, well … I won’t be able to work here. I’m sorry to mess you around.”

There’s too much going on in my brain. I need to find Katie. I need to deal with the Abi situation and Sadie.Shit. Sadie.

“You can’t be here when Sadie gets home,” I blurt and all eyes land on me.

“Dallas,” Abi says, one hand landing on my shoulder, the other reaching up to cup my cheek. “Take some more breaths … slow … that’s it.” I focus on her eyes and let her voice wash over me. She’s always had a way with calming me down when I get panicked. I’ve always regretted not being able to do the same for her, especially when she needed me most after Sadie’s accident.

“I won’t be here when Sadie gets home,” she says. “Olivia has my phone number, or use the email address you send the updates to, and get hold of me later. Go and find Katie.” She reaches up and presses a kiss against my cheek, then turns to Olivia. “I’m really sorry to have wasted your time.” Then she turns, climbs back into her car and heads down the driveway.

“Who was that?” Flynn breaks the silence that’s hanging over us as we watch the dust from the car settle.

“Sadie’s mum,” I say, voice strangled.

Flynn’s eyes almost bug out of his head. “Holy shit. She’s?—”

“Focus, Flynny. Where would Katie go?” Olivia snaps her fingers in front of his face.

“The waterfall,” he says abruptly. “She’ll have gone to the waterfall to throw rocks at it and echo-scream.” He moves to swing his leg over his motorbike but I grab it in midair.

“Waterfall? Echo-scream?” I gently push him out of the way and climb on the bike myself.

“The bush block above the back stream paddock. There’s a waterfall in there. If you stand in just the right place and yell, it echoes around you. We used to go there and scream when we were upset,” Olivia explains.

“I can’t believe I didn’t know there was a waterfall in there,” I mutter.

“You do now. If she’s anywhere, I’ll bet she’s there,” Flynn says. “I’m not even going to be offended that you’re stealing my bike right now. But go, make sure she’s okay and bring her home safe.”

I kickstart the bike and rev it to get the motor running. “I will.” Then I release the clutch and I’m gone.

35

DALLAS

The wind whipsat my face and pulls at my clothes as I tear through the farm, pushing Flynn’s bike to its limit.

I should be taking it slower because the last thing I need is to come off the bike. I need to get to Katie as soon as possible, not end up in a ditch.

But every time I try to ease off the throttle my hand won’t let me.

It feels like I ride forever. Why does this waterfall have to be at the far reaches of the farm. I hope Flynn recently refuelled his bike.

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