Page 20 of Seven Letters

‘Oh, eh, well, I’m not sure, like. I didn’t see obviously, but one minute Riley was fine and then she wasn’t.’

‘This all happened in Violet’s house, at the party?’ Mia asked.

‘Yes,’ Riley said.

‘Where were her parents? Were they not supervising? There wasn’t supposed to be any alcohol at all.’

‘Her parents went out for a bit.’ To London for the weekend, Riley thought, but you don’t need to know that. ‘And some of the kids brought drink.’

‘What was your drink spiked with?’ Mia asked. ‘Should we ask for a drug test? I think we need a drug test.’

‘No!’ Riley sat up in the bed. She’d smoked a joint with Shocko in his garage before going to the party. That would show up and then her mother really would put her in prison.

‘Riley, I’m afraid we have to. If your drink was spiked with a drug, we need to know which one. It could affect you in the future, flashbacks, psychotic episodes … Who knows what damage it’s done and will do?’

‘It’s very serious,’ Johnny agreed. ‘In fact, we may even have to get the police involved.’

‘Yes,’ Mia agreed. ‘I’ll have to call Violet’s parents first thing in the morning and get statements from all the kids who were there. Someone must have seen who spiked your drink. It’s illegal.’ Mia patted Riley’s arm. ‘I’m going to call the doctor in and get tests done. We need to know exactly what’s in your system.’ Mia turned to leave.

‘Stop!’ Riley shouted. ‘Don’t get the doctor. It wasn’t spiked.’

Mia folded her arms across her chest. ‘I didn’t think so. How about you tell us the truth now?’

Riley’s jaw clenched. She didn’t know how, but Mia could always tell when she was lying.

‘I drank some vodka as well as the beer and then I tripped and that’s it.’ Riley put her hands up. ‘I know I’m grounded for ever so you don’t have to go off on one.’

Mia leaned over the bed. ‘I’m not going to “go off on one”, but I am incredibly disappointed in you for disobeying me and your dad, for getting drunk and injuring yourself. You made some really bad decisions tonight, Riley, and, yes, there will be consequences, serious ones.’

Riley looked to her dad for help. Johnny shook his head. ‘We asked you not to drink, you lied, and now you’ve hurt yourself into the bargain. Not cool, Riley.’

Riley began to cry. Her mother was always annoyed with her and on her case about something, but her dad was her ally. She’d really blown it this time. Still, who cared if her parents locked her up for ever? She never wanted to leave her room again anyway. Zach had hurt and shamed her publicly, and she’d made a complete fool of herself. She was a total loser.

‘Hey, now.’ Johnny sat beside her on the bed and put his arm around her. ‘It’ll be all right. Let’s get you home.’

Mia was signing the release form when she felt a tug on her arm. It was Shocko.

‘Can I talk to you for a sec?’

Mia just wanted to get Riley out of the hospital and home to bed. She was exhausted, upset and really angry with her daughter. She was only fifteen – how could she get so drunk that she’d fallen over? What if she’d hit the side of her head and died? What if she’d swallowed her own vomit and choked to death? What if she’d ended up alone with a boy and done something she regretted? What if, what if … Life was so complicated and there was danger everywhere for teens, these days.

Riley was so bloody difficult. Why couldn’t she just study, go out and drink Coke and stop being so angry and hostile? Where was the little dark-haired angel who used to throw her chubby arms around Mia’s neck and kiss her face and say, ‘I dove you, Mummy,’ over and over? Mia closed her eyes. She missed that Riley so much it hurt.

‘Mia?’

She opened her eyes. ‘Sorry, Shocko, what is it?’

Shocko fidgeted with his skull-head ring. ‘So, like, I know you’re pissed with Riley and all.’

‘Annoyed.’

‘Sorry, yeah, annoyed. But, like, she had a really good excuse to get drunk.’

Mia blinked, what in the name of God was he talking about? She was fond of Shocko, who was a sweet boy and had been a good friend to Riley. They’d become pals three years ago when he’d moved in next door, and Mia had had her doubts. Shocko was the kind of boy who liked to sit inside all day and play video games or draw comic books. She’d have preferred Riley to choose a sporty, outdoorsy best friend, but Shocko was a nice kid. He had a big heart andMia had seen how he could boost Riley’s confidence and make her laugh. He had Riley’s back, and Mia was grateful to him for that.

‘Shocko, please explain to me what could be a good reason for my fifteen-year-old daughter to get staggering drunk?’

‘So, like, she was seeing this guy, right? I can’t tell you his name cos she’d kill me so let’s just call him “Kevin”.’

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