When they get back, Tess is waiting in the kitchen with a cup of tea for Lizzie and a Milkybar for Lenny. With Tess, tea is accompanied by a biscuit and a quick chat. She sends Lenny outside for a kickabout before sitting down.

‘So, how did it go with the liaison officer?’ Tess gulps at her drink. ‘Aah. Tea makes everything better.’

Lizzie thinks of all the times Greg put the kettle on. ‘No, it doesn’t. Tea drinking is just a habit.’

Tess ignores this and says, ‘So you’ll be making your statement? It is your choice but you know it’s for the best.’

‘Soon.’

‘As soon as it’s done, you’ll be able to start making plans to leave. You and Lenny can make a new life. You’ll have a new name, a new identity. Don’t you want that? Not always having to look over your shoulder? A proper garden for Lenny. His own room. A place where he could bring friends. What’s holding you back, Lizzie?’

Guilt climbs up Lizzie’s throat and she snaps at Tess, ‘Leave my son out of this.’

Tess looks shocked, clears her throat and says, ‘Well …’

Lizzie realizes she has gone too far. ‘Of course I want all those things.’

Lenny walks in now, saving her. ‘Why have I got to go to bed early tonight?’

‘Because the New Scientist,’ she waves the page at him, ‘says a blood wolf moon is coming but you need to be up really early to see it.’

‘A blood wolf moon? Sounds wicked,’ Lenny says.

Tess frowns. ‘Sounds gory to me.’

Frankie, who has come in and is making toast, peers over Lizzie’s shoulder at the article.

‘Why’s it so special? It’s just the moon.’

Lizzie turns to face her. ‘It’s so much more than just the moon. A total lunar eclipse happening at the same time the moon is closer than normal to Earth? It’s amazing. We’re so lucky to be able to see it.’

‘You’re a right old nerd, aren’t you?’ Frankie says, biting into her snack.

‘Yes, I am,’ Lizzie says, at the same time Lenny says, ‘No, she’s not.’

Frankie grins at him. ‘Are you looking forward to seeing the dog moon?’

‘Wolf moon. Super blood wolf moon,’ Lizzie corrects her quietly.

‘Yep. I am. It’s going to be awesome,’ Lenny says, ‘and you shouldn’t talk with your mouth full.’

‘You should see it,’ Lizzie says. ‘Set your alarm. It’s going to be amazing.’

‘Hmm, maybe,’ Frankie says noncommittally, and takes another bite.

Lizzie doesn’t think much more about it, but when she and Lenny creep downstairs at four a.m. to make hot chocolate, Frankie, Sarah and two of the others are sitting round the table in their dressing-gowns, yawning over mugs of coffee.