The Keeper by Rosanne Hawke Page B

when he’s happy. Anything can change it though like that time he suddenly realised Prescott was wearing his hat. He went berserk. Ms Colby couldn’t do a thing with him. When he’s like that he reminds me of the movie we saw: Jekyll and Hyde.
    Guess it’s that changeableness that’s exciting. No one’s like that in my family – it’s good old self-control and doing the right thing in this house. Mum would never let me roam around after dark like Joel gets to do. He’s a bit like Heathcliff. I’m reading Wuthering Heights now. Mum says I’m too young for it.
    I like the way Joel can suddenly do things. You’d never know he wasn’t good at school by talking to him – except for that time we were in the gift shop and he didn’t know what twenty per cent off would’ve been and he walked out rather than ask. He bought that same thing in another shop for ten dollars more. I keep off the subject of maths. He gets real touchy.
    Wish I could think of something else to write about than Joel Billings. I don’t think it’s going to get me anywhere. I’m sure he thinks I’m a useless girl, only worth his protection (which I don’t need). I don’t know what could ever change that.
    I hope Dev Eagle doesn’t mess him up. Maybe I should tell Mrs Billings. Wish I knew what to do. If it wasn’t for all those tatts and black leather – I mean he could be a criminal or something. Though he was nice to me the other day. Made sense really. Not what you’d expect a biker to say at all.

15
    Next morning I wake up before the sun. I’m pulling on my black jeans and T-shirt and I know this will be a better day. It’s something I can never explain, though Gran accepts it now – some days are just better than others. I have to get to Dev. How could I have ever thought last night that I can have a life without Dev as a dad? The secret bit has to go though. The other day after fishing on the beach, I had to go into Housers’ shop by myself to get our Cokes. I can’t be seen with him or Gran will find out. Everybody tells everything in a town like this. All in the cause of what’s best for everyone concerned, of course. It makes me snort just thinking about it. Sure it was exciting at first, having a secret, but since Dev said all that last night – well, it’s different now. Dev’s got an ‘inside’, something that might hurt, and I don’t want to make it any worse.
    I’m a bit nervous. What will Dev say now it’s morning? He might have thought better of the ‘needing each other’ bit. Dev sees me before I get down to the rocks. He’s having a wash and hasn’t done his hair yet. It’s the first time I’ve seen it down past his ears – long, but not as long as the Sikhs’ hair on Mr Pham’s trawler before they put their turbans on.
    It’s hard saying sorry and I don’t exactly say the words but Dev knows why I’ve come. ‘It’s okay. We’re mates. We’ll take the good with the bad, ol’ son.’
    The ‘ol’ son’ bit makes me wince. It’s just a phrase, but it makes me wonder again how long Dev will hang around. Surely he has a life of his own somewhere, and at no time has either of us said this is forever. I wish it was.
    It’s time. I’ve told Gran I’m bringing someone for tea. Bet Gran thinks it’s Mei – well, let the bomb drop. I’m going to need Gran’s permission to go public in the fishing competition with Dev. But it’s not just the competition. I want Dev out in the open, whatever it costs. He’s worth it, a real keeper. Last week I mightn’t have risked Gran’s reaction to Dev but now it’ll be okay for sure. I mean, Dev’s a bit of a shock when you first see him but once he starts talking he’s okay. How could they not like him?
    As it turns out