Chapter 28

Kerri sneaked outside and opened the door to Pippa's car. She started the engine before driving out of the caravan park.

"This radio station is so boring!" Kerri said, before changing the station to 2YC.

"2YC News is brought to you by The Bayside Diner - Summer Bay." the radio voice over announced.

Kerri turned up the radio.

"It's 6 o'clock. Good evening, I'm Sheila Vassilakis. Police have appealed to the public for information following the disappearance of a Summer Bay teenager. 16 year-old Anne-Marie Barton was last seen leaving an illegal warehouse party in Yabbie Creek late on Saturday night. Witnesses told police that she left the party in a distressed state after a fight with another person who had attended the party. A land and air search will resume tomorrow."

Kerri looked sad as she continued to drive the car.


Meanwhile, Pippa is washing the dishes in the kitchen when Sally walks in with the milk she got from Alf's store.

"Oh, I didn't know you were home." Sally said to Pippa.

"I haven't left the house, Sal." Pippa said, laughing.

"The car's not there." Sally said.

"Sal, don't be silly." Pippa scolded her, not taking Sally seriously.

"Go outside and see for yourself."

Pippa went outside and was shocked to find that her car was gone.

"Oh no!" Pippa said angrily. "I could've sworn I parked it there."

"Pippa, your keys are gone too." Sally said.

Pippa went through her handbag. "I don't believe this!" she shouted. "Who took off with the car?!"

"Don't ask me." Sally said.

"I think I can guess who took off with it and I guarantee you that they'll be in big trouble when they return!" Pippa said, looking furious.


Over an hour later, Kerri was driving into Reefton Lakes when a police car blared its siren.

"Oh no!" Kerri said to herself before pulling over to the side of the road. Two police officers got out of the car and went towards Pippa's car.

"Excuse me, ma'am?" the male officer said. "May I see your license please?"

"I haven't done anything wrong, officer." Kerri protested.

"The car you're driving was reported stolen." the female officer told Kerri. "Your license please."

Kerri looked awkward.

When the police bring Kerri home, Pippa is absolutely furious.

"You, upstairs!" she snapped at Kerri.

Kerri went upstairs.

"Where did you find her?" Pippa asked the officers.

"She was driving towards Reefton Lakes when we pulled her over." the male officer replied.

"I'm just glad she didn't damage the car." Pippa said.

"Do you want to press charges?" the female officer asked.

"No." Pippa replied. "I'm going to sort out a punishment for her."

When the police left, Pippa went upstairs to lecture Kerri for stealing the car.

"What have you got to say for yourself, Kerri?" an unimpressed Pippa asked her.

"I just wanted to have fun." Kerri responded.

"Fun?!" Pippa shouted. "Kerri, you stole my car and drove without a registered license! This sort of behaviour just isn't on!"

"Whatever." Kerri said.

"I am this close to phoning up the department and finding you another home!" Pippa continued shouting.

"Go ahead!" Kerri scoffed. "See if I care!"

Pippa didn't say another word. She just walked out of the room. Kerri couldn't help but smirk.


When Stephanie and Tiegan arrive at school the next morning, they are greeted by Fisher.

"I'm glad to see that you girls are at school today." he said to them. "Because you both have a lunch detention for your little truancy stunt yesterday. I'm very disappointed in both of you. Especially you, Stephanie."

"Why single me out?" Stephanie asked him.

"Because you should've known better. That's why." Donald replied before walking off.

"I knew he would've said something like that." Stephanie said.

"This detention better be worth it." Tiegan said.

Kerri walked over to them.

"Hey girls."

"I heard you went for a ride in Pippa's car." Stephanie said.

"I did." Kerri said.

"Pippa didn't talk to her this morning." Tiegan told Stephanie. "I could tell she was still pretty angry."

"Did she talk to you?" Stephanie asked.

"Yes." Tiegan replied.

"I don't get it." Kerri said. "She can talk to you, but she can't talk to me!"

"Kerri, you nicked her car and drove it illegally!" Tiegan snapped.

"Pippa is such a big baby!" Kerri shouted.

Stephanie gasped.

"I'm going to find Sharon. I'll talk to you girls later." Kerri said before leaving.

"She's such a bitch." Tiegan said. "Just saying."

"She was like it when George and Mary fostered her." Stephanie said.

"Do you think she's doing it for attention?" Tiegan asked her.

"I'm not sure." Stephanie replied.

Both Stephanie and Tiegan started looking concerned.


Meanwhile, Irene was over at Pippa's house having a cup of tea.

"I could've throttled Kerri last night." Pippa said.

"I don't blame you, love." Irene said. "If Selina took off with my car, I would've had her charged."

"Really?"

"It'd teach them a lesson." Irene responded.

"I'm at my wits end with Kerri, Irene." Pippa admitted. "I don't know how much more of her bad behaviour I'm going to take."

"What do you plan on doing?" Irene asked.

"I think it's best that I phone Helen and tell her to find Kerri another foster home." Pippa said. "It's just a shame that it's come down to this."

Kerri walked in at this point.

"Come down to what?" Kerri asked Pippa.

"Kerri, I'm very sorry to say this but I'm going to have to ask you to leave." Pippa told her. "Your actions last night have left me with no choice but to do this."

"Where am I going to live then?" Kerri asked her.

"I'll phone the department and see if they can arrange another foster home for you." Pippa replied.

Kerri looked upset.


NEXT TIME...
- Will Kerri plead her case to stay living at Pippa's?
- Selina's world is turned upside down when Jerome tells her he's moving away
- Stephanie and Tiegan have a go at Sonia for bullying Chloe