I have a few hours before I’m supposed to go to the hospital to visit Mum, so I decide to distract myself by playing Fairy Hunters. It works. The familiar landscape takes over my bedroom and I’m transported, again, to another world. I cast spells and block them too; I protect my nest from rogue wizards and get most valuable player three times; I rank up a level, which means I have access to even better spells and protective gear. It’s just as I’m finally starting to feel better about Elle that I get a weird message from Izzy.

Izzy: Sorry you couldn’t come today! I was looking forward to seeing you . . . xx

That’s when I see it. Elle’s been uploading photos all afternoon of her, Abir and Izzy. Pictures of them at a coffee shop, Elle with her arms around Abir. Pictures of them walking down our local high street, arms linked.

Why did they go without me? And why did Elle tell Izzy I couldn’t go?

Because she didn’t want you there, a voice in my head tells me.

The realization feels like a woodpecker is chipping away at my heart, but I keep looking anyway. There’s a photo of Elle in a changing room, posing in front of the mirror. She runs a poll: Should I buy this dress? I vote yes, hoping she’ll notice me. Maybe then she’ll ask me to come to town and meet them. Maybe she’ll say she meant to invite me after all, and it was all a mistake.

My broken heart sinks down to my stomach when I see the last photo. Matty and Jonnie have joined them now. Is she going to tell them about what I said? Are they all going to laugh at me? I feel sick.

I try to calm myself down. Elle’s my best friend, she wouldn’t do that. Would she?

When I get to the hospital a couple of hours later the reception desk is empty, so I wait on a chair across from it and check my phone. Elle hasn’t uploaded any more photos.

I glance at the old man, the one I saw on the very first day. He’s sleeping. A pile of fresh books have been laid out for him. To pass the time I try to read the titles from where I’m sitting.

After a few minutes no one turns up and I’m starting to feel impatient. I stand up and look around to find someone – anyone – to help me, before returning to my seat. Eventually a doctor walks out, swinging the doors wide open. He’s in a rush and as soon as he walks past me I bolt for them, grabbing the handle just in time to stop the censor shutting me out again.