Page 62 of On the Edge

‘It’s pretty straightforward.The DNA analysis was done during the original investigation, so it’s just a matter of rechecking if there’s a match in the database.I’ve submitted a request.We should hear back within a few days, one way or another.’

‘What happens if itishis?What will that mean?’

‘It won’t be a smoking gun, but it will prove Ryan lied about not being there.’

After she hung up from Jimmy, Nel rang Poppy.

‘You okay?’Nel asked when she answered.

‘Yeah, yeah.’

‘Poppy?’

‘Ha, yep, totally.’

What was she talking about?‘Poppy?’

‘My maths book?Yeah, it’s upstairs.Hang on a sec.’

There were footsteps, some muffled sounds, then a door closing.

‘Sorry, Mum was hovering.’

‘Oh right.I just wanted to check you’re okay after the email this morning.’

‘I s’pose.It’s getting kind of weird though.’

‘I told Jimmy about it.He’s going to trace it.’

‘Okay.’

‘In the meantime, if we just ignore them maybe he’ll lose interest and stop.’

‘I guess,’ said Poppy, but neither of them sounded sure.

Chapter 39

Sophie was about to get out the kids’ laptop to do some messages when her phone flashed with a call.School office.

‘Mrs Warner?It’s Mrs Penning from Carrinya Public School.’

Sophie detected something in her voice and felt panic clutch at her stomach.‘Yes?’

‘There’s been … an altercation … between Charlie and another student.’

‘What?An altercation?’Sophie’s thoughts spiralled.An altercation.What did that mean?A fight?Did she mean Charlie had been in a fight?

‘We need you to come up to the school.’

Ten minutes later Sophie pushed open the school office door.

‘This way, Mrs Warner.’Mrs Penning led her down the hall, stopping outside the principal’s office where she knocked gently.

The first person Sophie saw as the door swung open was Leo Berry, who was sitting next to his dad with his face resting on an icepack.Then she saw Charlie.She sat down beside him, scanning his face for signs of injury but saw none.

She was about to speak when Lauren Berry appeared at the door, breathless.Leo looked up at her, glassy-eyed, and lifted the icepackaway from his face to reveal the full extent of the injury.Sophie gasped at the sight of his misshapen eye, ringed by a deep purple bruise.Had Charlie done that to him?

‘Oh my god!’Lauren cried, lurching towards her son, hugging him awkwardly from one side.She glanced at Sophie, then scrutinised Charlie’s unscathed face.