Free The Mission by Fiona Palmer Page B

covered her face with her hand. ‘My God, you’re as loony as I am. You’ll fit right in with my friends,’ she said. Jaz got out of the car and leaned in the open window. ‘I’ll see you Sat. Thanks for this afternoon. I had a good time.’
    ‘Me too, Jaz.’
    As he drove away, Jaz couldn’t help hoping Saturday came quickly. Talking with someone new was refreshing and exciting. It helped fill the void of missing Anna. For the first time in weeks, Jaz could overcome her desire to go to The Ring to check for a message from Ryan. Instead, she went to get the skateboard for some practise. And it was kind of fun.

Chapter 8
    Jaz spotted Taylor out the front of the school. His shoulders were slightly hunched, not his normal square strong stance. Minka was beside him talking, maybe she was causing the deflated posture? She always made Jaz feel like ripping her own ears off so she didn’t have to listen to her fake nasally voice.
    But as she arrived at his side she realised, from Taylor’s glassy-eyed expression, that he wasn’t hearing a word Minka was saying. Personally, Jaz thought Minka brought that on with everyone.
    ‘Hey Tay,’ she said touching his arm. ‘Minka.’ That was as close to a ‘hello’ that Jaz could muster.
    Minka was the Barbie doll image but with an evil Morticia inside. Her nails resembled talons and her perfect blonde hair would turn into slithering snakes, given half a chance.
    ‘Hi Jaz,’ said Taylor softly. Minka turned her head away from them as if someone had called her. Jaz was past taking offence to Minka’s bitchy ways.
    ‘You wanna do something this arvo? Anna’s with Ricky.’ Taylor flinched and Jaz wished she’d kept that last bit of info to herself.
    ‘We can go out on our boat, or the jetskis, Tay,’ said Minka, who apparently was now involved in their conversation. Minka gave his arm a squeeze. ‘Come on. It will cheer you up. Some of the crew are coming too.’
    By crew, Jaz knew she meant her loyal minions and the guys who they thought deserved their attention. But she didn’t know Taylor very well, because when he wasn’t happy the last thing he wanted was a crowd.
    ‘Na, I’ll think I’ll pass, Minks. I said I’d drive Jaz home anyway,’ said Taylor as he glanced at Jaz.
    ‘Oh, okay. Well, you just text me if you change your mind.’
    Minka would ooze into a pool of maple syrup if she was any sweeter. Maple syrup laced with an acid-eating component, more like it.
    Taylor nodded and looped his hand in Jaz’s as they walked to his car, through the crowd of leaving students.
    Jaz nudged his shoulder. ‘You okay, Tay? You’ve been a bit quiet lately. Even Anna was worried.’ That got his attention.
    ‘Really? I didn’t think she knew what happened outside the Ricky atmosphere.’ Taylor saw her expression and lowered his eyes. ‘Sorry, it’s been a weird few days, that’s all.’ Taylor unlocked his car and they threw their bags in the back before getting into the front. ‘You wanna come back to my place for a bit? I don’t feel like doing much but I don’t want to do it alone.’
    ‘Sure, why not. I have no plans. So tell me, what’s been going on with you?’ Jaz wondered if it was just Anna that was getting to him. Did she dare ask?
    Taylor started the car and let out a sigh that would fill a hot air balloon. ‘It’s Dad. He’s been a bit stressed lately and I’m worried.’
    ‘Oh, in what way?’
    ‘His fuse is short, he seems scatty and preoccupied.’ He shrugged, pulling onto the main road. ‘I’ve never seen him like this, but he assures me it’s just work getting a bit thick at the moment. I guess its hard work when you’re the Deputy Commissioner of Operations. I guess I forget to stop and think about just what he deals with every day, you know. We go to school and he’s doing all the hard cop stuff.’
    ‘Yeah, and your dad being at the top would make him accountable for so much. Maybe he just needs a bit of space and