said Mum, handing me a red clutch. ‘He’s never opened a fashion magazine.’
I smiled at Mum, but I wasn’t ready to release Dad. ‘Libby’s dress is way shorter than mine.’
Libby flashed her eyes at me and tugged at her hem. ‘My dad’s bringing us home,’ she told him, and he backed off.
The music was loud. Willow’s brother, Greg, materialised like a ghost through the smoke from the barbecue. ‘Hi, Steph,’ he yelled at the exact time the music stopped.
‘Hi.’ He smiled, and his eyes went in search of my cleavage. ‘Up here,’ I said, reinstating eye contact, and it worked.
‘Are you here with anyone?’ he asked, running his hand through his fine hair.
I detected hope in his voice. ‘Ah, no, but I was expecting to catch up with Grant.’ I switched my focus to the group gathering near the barbecue.
‘Are you hungry?’ he asked.
‘Excuse me?’
‘Hungry?’
‘Oh, no, I’m cool, but thanks.’ Greg gave me a weird smile that made his strong chin more pronounced. He had an interesting face that framed his dark brown eyes, and what might turn out to be great teeth once the braces came off. But he was a bit too short, and his breath reeked of garlic. ‘Have you seen Grant?’ I asked, scanning the pool area.
‘First night of footy training. They don’t finish till eight.’
‘Oh, right, thanks,’ I sighed, turning my gaze in the direction of Libby and Willow. ‘I’ll catch you later,’ I said and started walking. To be honest, if it wasn’t for the garlic, I might have stayed.
‘Did you bring your bikini?’ asked Libby.
‘Yes,’ I said, turning back in Greg’s direction, and he waved.
‘Why don’t you just go out with him once, and put him out of his misery?’
‘I don’t tell you who to date.’
‘True,’ she said, putting her arm through mine.
The water was warm. ‘Hey, Steph, you’re on the other team,’ instructed Alex, Willow’s younger brother. I went under the net, and on surfacing the ball bounced off my head. I swam over to it and threw it back.
‘Take that!’ I screeched, clearing the net and scoring the first point. When the ball came at me again, a hand grabbed me from below, and I let out a scream.
A girl surfaced, and we cracked up laughing.
I copped a mouthful of water that made me puke, which could have been majorly embarrassing if I had eaten. My side won, ten points to two. I was a natural at volleyball.
Seconds after exiting the pool, my stomach rumbled. I was starved. I reached for a beach towel and headed for the food table.
Libby danced over and took a ginormous bite of my barbecued sausage sandwich. ‘Change and join us,’ she chirped with her mouth full. A piece of food went flying from her lips, narrowly missing my eye.
‘I’m going to do some serious moon bathing, maybe later,’ I said and headed towards the row of sun-chairs beside the pool.
‘Suit yourself,’ she sang and danced off.
Greg came out of nowhere and sat on the chair beside me. ‘Hey, Steph –’ He hesitated. ‘Umm, a few of us are going to see a movie tomorrow night, and – ’
His words made me panic. ‘Do you think Grant’s still coming?’
Greg’s smile disappeared. ‘I guess,’ he muttered, as an attractive girl whose name escaped me, stole his attention. ‘Catch you later, Steph, good luck finding Grant.’
‘Yeah, thanks.’
Libby appeared, holding two bottles of ginger beer, and sat beside me. ‘Here,’ she said, handing one to me.
‘Do you think Greg’s adopted?’
Libby screwed up her nose. ‘You ask the weirdest questions.’
‘Italians reek of garlic.’
‘You reek of the zoo. Does that make you a monkey? You’re so fussy. Greg’s cute. It wouldn’t hurt to give him a chance – you might end up liking him.’
‘If you like Greg, why don’t you go out with him?’
‘He hasn’t asked me; it’s you that he likes.’
A girl came running over. She reached for Libby’s free hand and started pulling her up. ‘Quick,’ she told her,’ you gotta see this,’ and Libby was gone.
Grant strolled across the pool area. He wore his thick black hair slicked back off his tanned face. His white shirt hugged his broad frame, showing every muscle in his chest, and his black bootleg jeans hung low off his hips. He had girls running behind him like a line of freshly hatched ducklings. I couldn’t help but imagine him in a life drawing class.
I stood waiting for the bathroom door to open. Willow strolled out of her bedroom holding a boy’s hand. Her lipstick was smudged over her powdered face, her skirt was caught up in her undies and she swayed like a branch in her stilettos. She was obviously drinking something stronger than ginger beer. She reached out and pinched my cheek. ‘You don’t like parties, do you, Stephy?’ she slurred, and I smelt alcohol on her breath.
As Willow walked away, I rubbed away the pain in my cheek. She was wrong. I’d totally enjoy the party if I were here with Grant.
Chapter Two
MUM OPENED THE passenger side window. ‘The snorkels are with the flippers,’ she called to Dad.
‘So, where’s the bag with the snorkels?’
‘In the bag with the flippers,’ Mum told him, and I could have easily wet my pants laughing.
‘Mum, that’s so cruel, shouldn’t we help him?’
‘No, he’ll find them, he just has to think it through.’
‘You’re mean.’
Mum laughed.
‘Not funny,’ said Dad, opening the back of the Jeep and throwing the bag inside, missing the back of my head.
‘Dad, that just missed me.’
‘You’ll live.’
‘If
