‘I don’t know if it’s fair for me to put a word on it, Danny. But you’ve not been yourself. You’ve not been the same, not to me.’

‘How’ve I not been the same to you? I’m exactly the same.’

‘You’ve been walking around like a zombie,’ Shauna continued. Her voice had gone up a fraction, though she was still far from shouting, only speaking very clearly. ‘It’s like you’re on autopilot, day after day. Every time I see you. Won’t speak unless spoken to. Won’t do anything unless I get you to do it. You nod and agree to things, to everything, but the look on your face. I have no idea where you are, but you’re not here.’

‘I’m here,’ Danny mumbled.

His heart was still racing, in fact it was thumping now.

‘I don’t want it to sound like I’m . . .’ Shauna stopped, started again. ‘I have my head to get straight. I have a life too. And I want to go into September knowing I don’t have to ­be – worrying about you.’

Danny could see sparkles, flashes of silver and violet light. He closed his eyes and the sparkles transformed into sputters of yellow electricity. He was trying to control his breathing, in and out through his nose, because he felt like he might vomit. The curdling feeling in his stomach expanded in intensity. Seconds passed. It was only when he knew he wasn’t going to be sick that he opened his eyes. Shauna’s beautiful face was pale, welted and glossy with tears.

‘Are you dumping me?’

Shauna scoffed. Wiped, with deliberation, at her cheeks.

‘Danny, please don’t be like that.’

‘Like what?’

‘Nothing’s ended. Nothing’s over. At least I don’t want it to be. That’s what’s made it so hard to try and say anything, because of how you were going to take it.’

‘Why are you crying if you’re not dumping me?’ Danny tried to smile but his lips just twitched.

‘I’m crying because I’m sad.’

‘You shouldn’t be with someone who makes you sad.’

Shauna pressed her wrist into her nose.

‘I’m going to go now, Danny. I’m going to head with Alice. Listen to me. I need some time, OK? Nothing’s over, I just need some time. Do you hear what I’m saying?’

‘Yeah,’ he managed.