‘So, me and Madison have been staying at my grandma’s for the last couple days…’ He looks at Karim. ‘FYI, Madison is my sister, new boy with hair. Anyway, we got dropped back today and straight away I thought my parents were acting even more uptight than usual. They kept trying to get us to go for naps, like we’re toddlers or some shiz like that. Obviously not happening.’ He pauses for another bite of pizza, then carries on talking while still chewing. ‘They kept looking at each other in this way like they do when they’re trying to hide something from me, and then they went through all the cupboards in the house, taking out all the cans of furniture polish and Lynx and stuff. They put it all in a bin bag, tied it up and put it in the loft. Then they sellotaped up the microwave, which was 209 annoying because I wanted to make some Quick Chips.’

We all look at each other, which anyway is better than seeing the spitty cheese and tomato in Trent’s mouth.

‘Obviously I told them they were being idiots and to give me back my body spray, cos the girls love it.’ He winks at Ade. ‘They told me to go to my room, which I did, but then I snuck back down for food, and I heard them talking.’ More loud, sloppy chewing. ‘Mind if I have another coke?’ He’s already taken one before the question is even asked.

‘What were they saying?’ I ask.

‘Ha!’ Trent says. ‘I knew you’d want to know. A lot of it was insane bleating on about protecting the vessels from being neutralised so close to completion, whatever that means.’

‘It must mean when the cones are going to open,’ I say. ‘Did they say when completion is going to happen?’

‘I don’t know. It was so weird and boring. I was just wishing they’d get out of the kitchen so I could get to the cupboards.’

He’s such hard work. ‘Ade?’ 210

‘Think carefully, Trent,’ she says. ‘Did they mention anything about a timescale? A day that they’re working towards.’

‘They did say “after tomorrow, success will be inevitable”.’

‘Tomorrow!’ Kat gasps.

‘It’s the day after today.’ Trent rolls his eyes. ‘Don’t they teach you anything at scuzzy Latham High?’

‘We learnt about days in Reception,’ Kat says. ‘You were there. We all were, remember?’

‘Except me.’ Karim puts his hand up. ‘I didn’t learn about days until Year One, at the same time that I learnt not to eat with my mouth open.’