‘We’re good, thanks,’ I call back, as we reach the top of the stairs and then turn right onto a second load of steps that lead to the attic. Well, it used to be an attic but it’s a proper bedroom now, with a window and wallpaper – Ade’s not Cinderella or anything like that. Her bedroom door is closed and music is blasting out. I knock loudly.

‘I’m busy,’ Ade’s voice shouts from behind the door.

‘Well, we tried,’ Kat says. ‘Let’s go.’

I knock again. ‘Ade, it’s me, Lance.’

There’s a pause when I wonder if she’s heard me, and then the music gets quieter and the door opens. Ade is standing there looking so different from six months ago Ade. And it’s not just the clothes – the spotless Nike Air Force Ones, the 171 top that looks wrong for the freezing cold weather, or the make-up – the black eyebrows and giant eyelashes. Her hair is pulled up tight in a massive dollop on top of her head – I have no idea how girls get their hair to stay like that. It’s something about the way she’s standing, and the look on her face.

‘What are you doing here?’ she says to me. ‘And you can get out of my house right now.’ She looks at Kat like she’s a walking piece of poo that’s just smeared itself up the stairs.

‘I’m out,’ Kat says, turning to leave.

‘No,’ I say. ‘Please, Kat.’

‘This is what Katja does,’ Ade says. ‘Ditches people the moment things get real.’

‘This is what Ade does.’ Katja spins back to face Ade. ‘Says vile things to people to distract attention away from her chav earrings.’

‘Oof,’ Karim says.

‘Who even are you?’ Ade turns on Karim. ‘And why are you getting in my business?’

‘Guys!’ I’m gutted that things got this bad this fast. ‘Please just stop.’

Ade glares at me. ‘Why do you keep interfering, Lance? Always trying to be the hero to make up 172 for the fact that you suck at everything.’ And I get that she’s raging about a bunch of stuff I don’t understand, but it stings a little.

‘What happened to make you turn into such a cow?’ Kat says, standing a little closer to me, like my personal bodyguard. ‘I knew we shouldn’t have come here.’

‘I never asked you to,’ Ade shouts. ‘Get the hell out.’

‘They’re back,’ I shout. ‘The spores, Ade. They’re here in Straybridge.’

She looks at me like this might be part of a crazy scheme to get the gang back together. ‘They can’t be.’