Before all of this, everything with Mum, a comment like that from Elle would make me second-guess my decision. Today it doesn’t.

Elle shrugs, already back on her phone. Matty isn’t here yet, so I know exactly who she’s texting. It doesn’t bother me today, though, because I’m checking my phone too. I emailed Rawan asking her if she had a copy of the flyer she and Mum used for the play.

I didn’t say exactly why I needed it, only that it was going in a memory box I was making for Mum. It’s kind of true, I guess. I’m turning the old hat box I put the ceramic cats in into a memory box, seeing as everything in it is from Mum’s memories.

I’ve been calling it my inventory, like in Fairy Hunters, where you collect spells and food and clothes to help you on your mission. Sometimes you get crystals too, and rare items.

My inventory holds the perfume bottle, the bracelet and the cats, and soon it’ll hold the flyer too. When I’m done collecting all of the objects I’m going to take the box to the hospital to show Mum, and that’s when the door will open!

Rawan was upset to hear that Mum is ill, especially as she’s in Kuwait and can’t see her, but I told her she’s getting better. It’s been exactly three days since Rawan sent the flyer. She’s tracking the delivery and told me she’d let me know once it arrived. This morning the flyer was somewhere in London, so it’s probably on its way here. I’ve been checking my phone obsessively all day, waiting for updates. I can’t bear another day without a new memory.

As Elle and I take our seats, and I start eating, the boys arrive. My heart sinks as I see Jonnie among them. At least David’s here, though. I still remember him asking about Mum. Maybe he won’t be as mean.

Matty kisses Elle right on the lips in front of everyone, looking around afterwards to make sure we saw.

Izzy’s sitting right across from me and we exchange a look. She smirks, and I know exactly what she’s thinking.

The boys come back with their food. They haven’t ordered much either. So now I’m just sat here, scoffing my burger, while the rest of them pick at a bag of chips like pigeons.

‘Just like you to be hungry, Dobby,’ Jonnie says, smiling. But it’s not friendly. He’s teeth are jagged at the end, like some sort of predator.

Abir laughs, Izzy frowns, Elle ignores the comment. She’s too busy staring lovingly into Matty’s eyes while they feed each other chips. I want to believe that she didn’t hear it, but I’m not so sure any more.