A few moments later she was lying in a lukewarm soup of orange scented bath ballistics, baby oil and several other strange unguents with which Petal liked to anoint her body. It wasn’t perfect, but it was wet and warm, and would do until she could have a proper bath.

The phone rang just as she had finished slooshing herself and the now empty bath with clean water. ‘I suppose I couldn’t just stop having a telephone?’ she asked herself rhetorically. ‘Would the world really come to an end?’

No one replied to her and, shivering, she waited to see if the others would answer it before realising that they probably couldn’t hear it over the music. Praying that it wasn’t Molly wanting to discuss tactics or anyone else who might be long, she wrapped herself in a towel and pattered across to her bedroom.

It was Rory. ‘I’m about ten miles from you. I’m calling from a phone box.’

‘Oh!’

‘Are you at home to visitors?’

‘Of course.’ For anyone else she’d have said no, but Rory was different. Besides, she could hardly not invite him in the circumstances.

Quickly Thea washed her ballistic-stiffened hair, pulled on clothes and rushed downstairs, pulling at her hair with her fingers as she did so, in lieu of blow-drying. ‘Hey, Petal! Rory’s coming. Give me a hand tidying up this lot.’ She indicated the table, littered with beer cans and glasses.

‘Rory! Cool! Sorry I won’t be here to see him. You really should put some mousse or something on your hair or it’ll go all funny. Oh, and by the way, the hairdryer’s not working. It’s in my room.’

Thea glared at the door that Petal closed behind her. Still, at least Rory wouldn’t mind the mess and by the time he’d got lost a few times she would probably have plenty of time to clear up. Her hair would have to look after itself.

‘Thea! You smell like a flower garden and look even more appetising.’

Thea put her arms round Rory and hugged him, her affection for him heightened by red wine on an empty and tired stomach. He smelt of turf fires and Sweet Afton tobacco. He reminded her of clear, light air and silver seas. ‘You got lost.’

‘Sure. Your directions were hopeless.’

‘They were not! Now come in and let me get you a drink and some pizza. Can you stay for pizza? Bought in, I’m afraid, but quite edible. Do you want to stay the night?’ Quite where she’d put him she didn’t know, as it was unlikely a sofa in her bedroom would satisfy Rory, but she’d sort something out if necessary. Then she became aware that Rory wasn’t following her into the house with his usual confidence.

‘I’ve got something in the car to show you, bring you, really.’