In the next sentence, Annabelle defends her friend.
“I don’t believe what they’re saying about Toby. He’s not like that.”
Notice that this is done with dialogue.
She’s been imagining him getting into trouble, it’s upset her, and now she’s trying to defend him.
“It’s not fair. Zhang has worked so hard for this.”
“Kezia has the strength of any boy working the river. We need the help, why not her?”
