As Jenna steps onto the minibus she scans around, looking for somewhere to sit. She keeps her gaze soft and unfocused to reduce the chance of Damian catching her eye. Everyone is paired up, most people staring silently out of the windows, the others chatting nervously. After the relative peace of the flight the volume level went sharply up when the plane touched down. Even before the seat belt sign went off, most of the passengers were up on their feet, scrabbling around in the overhead lockers for their belongings and filling the aisle; pressing up against each other, huffing and puffing, desperate to get off the plane. It was similarly frenetic at the luggage carousel; everyone desperate to grab, grab, grab and be gone. Jenna hung back by the toilets, watching and waiting. There was no hurry. Kate had said in her email that the coach to the ferry wouldn’t leave until she had ticked everyone off her list.

Now, as Jenna continues to scan the minibus, a hand, waggling from side to side above everyone’s heads, catches her attention.

‘Over here!’ It’s Erica.

Jenna hurries through the bus and gratefully takes the empty space. As she pulls her handbag onto her lap she notices Damian, several rows ahead, craning round to look. Jenna slumps down in her seat.

‘Thank you,’ Erica says, her blue eyes sparkling beneath her clumpy mascaraed lashes, ‘for being there for me on the plane. I feel a bit silly now, if I’m honest.’ Her voice is clipped, sing-song, light.

‘You were scared. I’ve been there.’

‘Have you? You seem so together to me.’

Looking at Erica with her smooth twenty-something skin and glossy hair makes Jenna feel old. The others in the group look tired, uncomfortable and nervous, but Erica looks like she’s about to embark on the most amazing adventure. But appearances are deceptive. Everyone on the bus is broken in some way. Even Damian. They wouldn’t be going to the retreat if they weren’t.

‘Hello, everyone, and welcome to Malta!’ Kate has appeared at the front of the minibus with Tom. ‘I hope you all had a good flight. We’ve now got a twenty-minute journey across Malta to the ferry that will take us to Gozo. Take this opportunity to look out of the window and enjoy the wonderful view. If you have any questions you can ask me on the ferry.’ She looks at Tom expectantly.