Fifteen Going on Grown Up by Stephanie M. Turner Page A

something about the writing that seemed strange. It was very child like in style and Hally had a feeling she had seen it before, but couldn’t remember where. So she put it in her bag and turned to Wes instead.
    “Where did you get that from?”
    She asked, indicating the hamper.
    “It’s mum and dad’s. They’ve had it for years. Mum said I could borrow it.”
    This was one of the few times Wes had actually mentioned his family. Hally felt that strange sensation again that she was missing something but could not figure out what. She pushed it to the back of her mind and smiling said.
    “So to the park.”
    The others burst out laughing and joined her as she pretended to power walk towards the town park.
    Unsurprisingly, there were a lot of people the girls knew at the park. Some were in large groups laying and sitting on various rugs and jackets. Some had phones and iPods playing, with the result that as they strolled towards the lake it was impossible to work out exactly what music was what. They found a spot of sunny grass and Wes pulled out two rugs from the side of the hamper. He spread them on the ground and Clia and Corrinne quickly dropped their bags next to one and sat down. Hally settled herself onto the second rug, and Wes kneeled next to her. The hamper had old fashioned leather straps and for some reason this brought a small lump to the back of Hally’s throat. For a few seconds she visualised her Gran’s face but swallowed hard and pushed it to the back of her mind. Now was not the time to dwell on why mum had really gone there so early.
    The hamper opened to reveal one side with crockery, cutlery and glasses strapped neatly in and the other side with food.
    “It used to have real linen napkins, but they disappeared years ago; so we will have to make do with paper.”
    Wes told them as he began to unwrap various packages. This reminded Hally about the envelope. She took it out of her bag and turned it over; but there was nothing else on it. She gently slit it open and pulled out a single sheet of lined paper, which looked torn from a pad like they used in school. It was untidily folded several times as though it had been stuffed in the envelope in a hurry.
    Corrinne and Clia were happily chatting to Wes as he began to lay food out and at first didn’t notice Hally holding the note.
    “Look at this yummy picnic Hals.”
    Said Corrinne. When Hally didn’t answer her friend became concerned.
    “What is it Hally?”
    She asked. Clia and Wes then both looked up and saw the frown on Hally’s face.
    “Hally, what’s the matter?”
    Wes asked her, gently putting his hand on her shoulder.
    “It’s from Dana.”
    Hally replied. Corrinne and Clia both audibly took a breathe and though it was obvious by his expression that Wes had no idea what this meant, he did not ask any questions.
    “Hally, what does it say?”
    Clia asked, deep concern in her voice. Hally handed the note over for her friend to read out. It was poorly written in a very childish hand writing.
    ‘HalY i aM reely sorrY for wot I done to You i no wot i got to do noW
    Dana ’
    “What is that supposed to mean?”
    Corrinne asked, as she took the note from Clia and read it herself. Hally shrugged, she had no idea.
    “Well it’s about time she realised what she’s put you through all these years; now her own life is in a mess.”
    Clia stated without much sympathy in her voice.
    “I suppose so.”
    Hally replied, taking the note back and putting it away.
    “Come on girls, lets eat before it dries up in this lovely sunshine.”
    Wes chipped in lightening the mood. The girls laughed, but Hally felt somewhat unnerved by the note. However, when Wes handed her a plate it looked so delicious and his smile was so warm and comforting that she put everything except him out of her mind.
    The rest of the day was truly wonderful. They fed the scraps of the picnic to the ducks and Wes surprised them again by pulling some old board games out of his