Page 135 - My Home on the Earth

‘Hang on a minute. I’m lost,’ stated Sophie. ‘I don’t know anything about this.’
‘Let me explain,’ said Cara. ‘Elise had been searching for her brother’s cycling helmet and rucksack that went missing after the accident. Months later, my Auntie Emily wrote to the police to ask why the items were never found. They requested a warrant to search the boys’ homes and the helmet and rucksack were found hidden in Jake’s room. The police questioned the three boys again and Jake admitted throwing the rock that injured Robin. When previously questioned, the boys denied all knowledge of the accident or how he died. A new investigation was held, followed by a special court hearing, and the boys were sent to a place of correction or something similar.’
‘I never liked Jake Cooper,’ grimaced Elise. ‘As I told Cara and Olivia, when Robin went missing, Mum and I waited for the police to arrive. He and his mum came to our house; our mums were friends. Jake and I were in the lounge and he went bonkers, saying things I didn’t understand. I ran upstairs. He’d tried to tell me how the accident had happened and how the Morrises had bullied him into keeping quiet. Then he started bullying me just to keep them happy. He threatened me because they thought I knew the truth, but I didn’t. I was so young at the time, I didn’t really realise what he was doing, but it all made sense later when I understood the whole thing better.’
‘I can’t believe what you’ve been through, Elise. I really can’t,’ cried Sophie as tears ran down her cheeks. ‘It’s wicked!’
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