Beneath the Surface by Heidi Perks Page B

saying I agree with what you’re doing, but I don’t want to be left out either.’
    ‘Well…’ Hannah held out a hand and started counting off her fingers. ‘We know his name is Peter Webb. We know he must have left us in about 2001 because that’s when we came to the Bay. We don’t know how old he is but guessing he’s about Mum’s age, then he’s in his late fifties. And we think he might be in Australia.’
    ‘Do we?’
    ‘Well, probably not. Mum once told me that but I’m not sure I believe her. It’s a bit clichéd to come up with Australia, isn’t it? I think it was just the first thing that popped into her head. She didn’t look as if she knew what she was talking about.’
    ‘And is that it?’
    ‘Yep, major stuff to go on, eh? Looks like he’ll be found in no time,’ Hannah added sarcastically.
    ‘So where are you thinking of starting?’ Lauren asked, sipping at her drink. ‘This stuff is disgusting, I can’t drink any more of it.’
    Hannah reached over and tipped it into her own cup. ‘It’s not that bad. Anyway, I like the buzz it gives you.’ She had noticed Dom coming out of the diner and watched him as he made his way to where Becky was still laughing loudly, attracting a group of students around her who wanted whatever taste of alcohol they could get their hands on. Becky was inching away from the group and making a beeline for Dom. ‘Look at the way she flicks her hair and pouts her lips at him. She’s so obvious. Surely he doesn’t fancy her, does he?’
    ‘Don’t all the guys? Anyway, back to us.’
    Hannah sighed. ‘I have to get my hands on someone’s iPad. I thought of using Morrie’s computer but I can’t risk him telling Mum. And I tried at school but social media sites are blocked and Facebook must be the easiest place to start looking. Can you believe in this age of technology, it’s nigh on impossible for you and me to search the internet?’
    Kathryn had been clear she didn’t want them having access to the web. ‘There’s too many people out there who’ll pretend to be someone they aren’t,’ she told them. ‘It’s safer walking the streets than being in some chatting room.’
    ‘Chatroom, Mum. And even thirteen-year-olds can use Facebook,’ Hannah retorted.
    ‘I don’t care! They’re not my daughters.’
    Eventually agreeing to buy them mobile phones, Kathryn had spent ages choosing ones that didn’t have access to Wi-Fi or 3G connections. Hannah had thrown the phone in her bag in disgust when she had been given it. She wasn’t going to let anyone at school see she didn’t have the latest iPhone – they’d be laughing stocks.
    ‘Hey, girls!’
    Hannah looked up to see Dom walking towards them, Cal slinking behind as always, trapped in his shadow. Dom was smiling directly at Hannah, a smile that heated her up, and she prayed she wasn’t blushing. She took another large mouthful of her drink and, getting used to the taste, managed to swallow it without flinching.
    ‘Do you mind if we sit with you?’
    ‘Actually, I’ve just seen Sophie,’ Lauren said to Hannah. ‘I’m going to talk to her. I’ll be back in a bit, OK? And we’ll need to go soon,’ she added, looking at her sister pointedly.
    Hannah sidled up the bench to make room for Dom, handing Lauren’s empty cup to Cal, who’d said he was going for refills.
    ‘So, are you going into town later?’ Dom asked.
    Hannah shook her head. ‘I doubt it,’ she said. ‘You?’
    ‘I’d rather not but I imagine Cal will drag me down there later. It’s a shame you’re not coming, I might enjoy myself a bit more if you were there.’ He smiled at Hannah and she took another gulp of her drink. Was he coming on to her? Hannah had never had a boyfriend, and she had no idea how she was expected to act.
    ‘Maybe we could get our drinks and go for a walk on the beach instead?’ he asked.
    ‘I don’t know.’ Hannah felt the heat spreading down her neck. She knew she must be the colour