Free The Lost Tohunga by David Hair Page B

home when that Evan-thing returned appalled her. She nodded meekly.
    The front door opened and Ko came waddling out, concern all over her face. Robyn helped her out of the car, and Ko gripped her in a huge bear-hug, tears running down her face. ‘Lovey, lovey, oh lovey, are you okay?’ She touched the wound on her cheek. ‘What’s happened? Deano came running and said you was all arrested. Is Ronnie with you? Is Ronnie okay?’
    â€˜Ronnie’s okay. But I’ve gotta go, Ko. Like you said: I’ve gotta go.’
    Ko’s face widened. ‘Tonight? Oh my …’
    â€˜I gotta, Ko. Evan caught me talking to this guy, and beat him up.’
    â€˜Oh, honey, you shoulda known better. Evan’s so jealous.’
    So it’s my fault? She felt a sudden anger at her friend, had to stop herself from shouting something she would regret. ‘He was no-one, Ko. Just a kid who said “hi”. Nothing was goingon. But now Evan’s gonna do me for it.’
    Ko wrapped her arms around her, and that nearly started her crying again, but she must have used up all her tears for now. She felt hollow and chilled to the bone.
    PC Robyn laid a hand on Hine’s shoulder. ‘I’m sorry, but we need to keep moving.’
    Ko glared, but slowly let Hine go. They all went inside, and she stopped, wondering what to do. They had to lead her into her room. It was a pigsty, as usual. Unwashed clothing and tangled sheets strewn about. Unwanted memories of her and Evan together surfaced, but she pushed them away. Robyn followed her in, sniffed with distaste, and gave her a plastic rubbish bag. ‘Pile your things into here. I’ve got plenty of them. Do you have possessions in other rooms? What can I do to help?’
    It didn’t take long to empty the two drawers she used, and clear her side of the wardrobe. She took a tiny jewellery box and tucked it into a pocket, her toothbrush from the bathroom, the dregs of a perfume bottle. ‘That’s all.’ She hung her head. ‘I ain’t got much.’ She realized she still had Ko’s hoodie on. ‘Ko, this is yours …’
    Ko wouldn’t look at her. ‘You keep it, lovey. Is too small for me now. You keep it, eh.’ Brandi came out, looked at the cops, and shrank against her mother’s legs. ‘Brandi-babe, you give Aunty Hine a hug, there’s a girl. Aunty’s got to go away for a while.’
    Brandi shyly hugged Hine, who felt her tear ducts recharging. She squeezed the girl and prayed Brandi would never have to go through this herself.
    Tamati looked at his watch. ‘We’ve got to go, Robyn.’
    PC Robyn nodded, running fingers through her hair then replacing her hat. ‘Okay, Hine?’
    Ko seized Hine and squeezed her tight, crying again. ‘I’ll be in touch, Ko,’ promised Hine. ‘I’ll see you again, I will.’ She wished she could tell Ko about the tramp-thing, but how could she explain it? She dropped her voice, and said only, ‘Evan is evil. You and Ronnie have got to leave, Ko. Please!’
    â€˜When we can, honey.’ Her voice sounded hopeless. ‘You take care, lovey. You take good care.’ She looked at Robyn and Tamati. ‘I’m holdin’ you two personally responsible, you hear? Anything happens to her …’
    The two cops fidgeted awkwardly. Hine backed out the door, her hands trembling so much she had to stuff them in her pockets. She needed a smoke, badly.
    Robyn walked with her to the car while Tamati talked into his radio. She looked back at the house, at Ko and Brandi silhouetted in the front door, the light behind shrouding them in shadow. She waved hesitantly, and then allowed Robyn to help her in. Everything seemed fluid suddenly, as if the ground were an illusion cast over a huge dark lake, and she was about to be swept beneath the surface. Into the deep water.
    They took her to the Women’s