I arrive at Groves Street, where my mum has just moved in.

I knock on the front door, while he waits in my backyard. "keep quiet" The dog barks.
Then an answer and I cheekily smile.

"Hey mum."
"Harry where have you been" She drags me inside.
"What is this?" She points to the dog I think his name is Max.

"Just a friend I picked up."
"Take him out the back, the shower I have to got to work. "


I let Max out the back and make sure Ben is ok.
"Can I stay here the night please" His being cute now. "You have a family here, go back to them." I say
"Hey I helped you get the computer I think you owe me." Man this kid is smart for eight.

"Ok fine your on the floor though." I tease.


I get back inside the house and set Ben up in my room, and can hear chatter from the lounge.

"Harry" mum calls my name.
So I make my way into the lounge.

I see a man and a girl who looks about my age with shoulder length hair, about five foot four I look at her and she notices me.
"Yea mum."

"Dad he fits the description" The girl says.

"Um what description?" Mum asks her.

"My little cousin went missing a couple days ago and a description like him was spotted with him possibly." She says confidently
"Oh I'm sorry to hear that, but my son was studying with a friend all day today." Mum saves me,

I see the girl glaring at me, what is her problem? "Um sorry can I use your bathroom?" she changes her tone.
"Of course down the hall to the left." Mum replies. I watch her as she walks away.

"So you haven't seen this boy around mate." I look at the man's picture of his nephew and yep it's Ben, his family is worried sick.

"Uh no sorry mate." I give the picture back. "Ok I'm ready to go now" She comes back from what seemed a very long toilet trip.

"Um sorry we can't help you," Mums says. "Oh I'm Steve Riley and this is my daughter Bridget. We live across number eight." I keep looking at her.

"Ok well see you around." Mum says and she closes our front door and turns to face me
"What" I shrug my shoulders.

"Don't what me Harry?" She is serious. "Tell me you didn't just lie to them, their family is worried sick." I shut my eyes.

"BEN COME OUT!" My mum gasps.

"She tried to look for me, but I stayed hidden."


My mum opens the door, "What are you doing mum no."
"Excuse Mr Riley." She calls out

Oh no!

---

"Is this him? I see another man come for me.

"YOU LITTLE" He comes closer to me his fist ready.

"Uncle Ned no, Ben is safe now that's all that matters." Bridget puts his arm down.

"Where is he?" He is still fuming and Bridget is death staring me down. "In the other room, come on I'll take you" She says.

"Well we have your statement down, from now on stay out of trouble, we don't have a lot to go on to arrest you." The police officer says, I just nod.

"I'm going to take Max and have him checked out" Steve says and takes the dog and leaves my house.

"Harry." Mum comes to me. "Not know mum" I get off the couch and head to my room, as I walk down and see Ben sleeping on his dad's shoulder while Bridget walks behind them.

"Look I am really ------"



"Save it" She stares me down again.

Notes

Ah oh Harry has not started off great in Groves Street!
How will the rest of the street embrace him now?