‘Now, you two better get some sleep. It’s almost dawn. We may have to make a statement to the police about the nature of this attack tomorrow.’

By the way he says the word I can tell he doesn’t really believe it either. Do they think I’d do this to myself? Do they really think I’m that kind of girl?

Then Luce says something mad. ‘Surely we should go straight to the police station now so we can report the crime and make sure those bastards are caught?’

Jesus, she’s really getting caught up in this.

Her dad starts scratching the back of his neck over and over. ‘The hospital tests showed it didn’t conclusively look like an attack by a male,’ he says, almost in a whisper, almost apologetically, not wanting to admit that I’m a pathological liar.

‘That’s cos they used a bottle.’ Luce is shouting now, high on her lies.

‘Ok, ok.’ Mr O’D seems out of his depth with this new hysterical version of his usually calm daughter. ‘We’ll discuss it in the morning. You’re both exhausted … come on …’

She starts to sob and Mr O’D goes to rub her back, then pulls away as she convulses. He stares incomprehensibly at all this teenage angst. Stop, Luce, it’s only a game. It’s worked … look … your dad was lovely to me, and I’m allowed stay the night. This is what we wanted. I suddenly feel stone-cold sober.

‘Bastards,’ she says, shaking her head, ‘bastards.’ This is not like her.

Maybe I pushed it all a bit too far. Shit, Luce, I’m sorry. I have a weird desire to get down on my knees and confess it all. Mother is standing over me, kissing the top of my head. ‘It’s ok, Darling,’ she’s saying. ‘It’s ok. Don’t worry about a thing. I love you no matter what, you know that.’ I shake my head to stop the tears from falling, and this time they’re real. I look at Mr O’D, who looks grey and suddenly old, and has started scratching that spot on the back of his neck again. I want to reach out and take his hand and tell him everything. Dear Confessor. But I can’t risk it, can’t risk his hatred too. Look at how he’s looking at his daughter; he’s worried for her. He’s right to be, with a friend like me.

5. Nico

5

Nico