Fran shakes her head. Phoenix gets up from the floor. ‘Neck your shot and I’ll get you some wine.’

Fran knocks it back then shudders. Her stomach clenches horribly as she hands the glass back to Phoenix. Whatever’s been making her feel nauseous all day really doesn’t like the addition of alcohol. ‘That’s the last shot.’

‘Don’t be a killjoy.’ Caroline gives her a steely look. ‘Anyway, this game isn’t about shots. You just need to sip, or gulp, from whatever you’re drinking.’

This is their one, possibly only, chance to get the truth out of the Gozo three. Most people are more likely to open up when they’re drunk, Caroline had said earlier, and if she and Fran were clever with their questions one of the others might let something slip.

‘Fine,’ Fran says. ‘Now someone tell me what the rules are.’

She listens as Renata explains how the game works.

‘So I drink if I have done something the other person has never done?’ Fran asks.

‘Yes,’ Renata tucks a strand of blonde hair behind her ear. Her cheeks are pink, her eyes are shining and the bottle of gin on the carpet in front of her is half empty. ‘But you can say I have never even if you have done it.’

‘Right. Clear as mustard.’ Fran pauses. That’s not right, is it? What’s the phrase she’s looking for? She attempts it again ‘Clear as …’ She shakes her head. Why can’t she think of the word?

‘What is it as clear as, Geraldine?’ Damian asks, smiling as he strokes his beard.

Fran waves a hand through the air, her irritation growing. ‘I know this. It’s clear as—’

‘Your wine, madam.’ Phoenix presses a glass into her hand.

‘Are we ready to play?’ Caroline asks. ‘I’ll go first. I have never … skinny dipped.’

‘Boring.’ Phoenix plonks himself back on the ground beside Fran’s feet. He takes a sip of his drink, as do Renata and Damian. ‘Hasn’t everyone?’

‘Mud,’ says Fran.

Phoenix twists round to stare at her. ‘Have you genuinely skinny dipped in mud?’

‘Nooooo.’ The word rolls around on Fran’s tongue as her brain scrabbles to keep up. ‘No, I just … I just thought of the word. Mud?’ Her brain is foggy and slow. Oh god, she’s drunk. She looks desperately at Caroline for help.

‘Clear as mud,’ Caroline says, then launches into a coughing fit.

‘What is?’ Fran asks and Damian’s booming laughter fills the room.

‘Right,’ Phoenix says. ‘Renata, it’s your turn.’