Simon was playing with his eyes half-closed, opening them only occasionally when Tanya stuck the joint between his lips. His forehead was shiny, his fingers danced over the strings. There was something about him tonight, Carina thought. Something different, a kind of magnetism, which was not a quality she normally associated with Simon Vidje.

Alex was sitting on the other side of Tanya, making a huge effort to attract her attention. This was irritating and predictable in equal measure, yet oddly enough that wasn’t what was bothering Carina the most. For some reason she hated the fact that Tanya kept transferring the joint from her own mouth to Simon’s, then back again. Gently, slowly, like a kiss being passed on. Why did it bother her? Carina didn’t know.

Bruno had been for a pee. He sat down beside Marie and offered her a bottle of water. She looked at him as if he was soft in the head and took a couple of swigs from a can of beer Joe had given her, even though she never usually drank beer.

Carina realised she ought to help Bruno with Marie – get her to slow down, drink some water. However, at the same time it was pretty cool to see super-efficient Marie Andersson looking like a total idiot.

The song ended and Simon decided to take a break. He leaned back against the rock behind him and closed his eyes. Tanya rested her head on his shoulder. The intimate gesture infuriated Carina, and she almost didn’t notice Joe sneaking his arm around her. She didn’t shrug him off.

‘So, boys and girls,’ Joe said, putting on an exaggeratedly adult tone of voice. ‘You’ve graduated from high school. You have your whole lives before you. Anything is possible!’

He took a drag on the joint and passed it to Carina. ‘So, what do your dream lives look like? What are you going to be when you grow up?’ He pointed to Bruno. ‘Let’s start with you, Mr Catering Manager!’

Bruno glanced at Marie, who seemed to be having problems sitting upright.

‘I want my own restaurant,’ he said. ‘Not my dad’s, my own.’

‘Ah, a chef. An honourable profession. People will always want to eat.’

Bruno nodded uncertainly, as if he still wasn’t sure whether Joe was winding him up or not. Carina knew exactly what was going on, but she was enjoying the thought that she was the only one who understood.

Joe turned to Alex. ‘And how about you, Mr Alpha Male? What are you aiming for?’

‘An Olympic gold medal,’ Alex replied confidently, trying to catch Tanya’s eye. ‘Wrestling. I’m number two in Sweden in my age group and weight class. Barcelona ’92 – I’m planning to be in the top spot on the podium.’