I look up and Tim is walking towards Ant and me. The drunks stare at us, ready to kick off if we jump the queue. When Tim holds me, I remember how close we came to kissing, and I pull away.

‘They said we’re allowed to use the family room over here; it’s more private.’

And more claustrophobic: two rows of five chairs each, facing each other. I sit next to Ant, who has finally stopped jabbering about everything and nothing.

Tim sits down opposite us. ‘So, Joel has been taken to resus. He was stable in the ambulance. What Kerry and I did helped keep him alive, but now it’s up to the doctors.’

‘Has he woken up yet?’ Ant asks.

Tim and I exchange a look.

‘He probably won’t wake up for a while,’ Tim explains.

If at all.

‘I could talk to him, like they do in the films.’ Ant steps towards the door. ‘Anyone got a Walkman? He hates Westlife, so if I play “Flying Without Wings” or something, he’ll definitely wake up.’

Tim stands in his way. ‘He won’t, because he’s sedated so the doctors can do tests, work out what caused the problem with his heart.’

I want to say something to make Ant feel better but my mind is blank.

‘Your hands are shaking,’ Ant says.

I look down. He’s right. I grip my knees through the sequinned material of my dress, but still my hands tremble. Ant reaches across to hold them with his so mine can’t shake anymore.

‘Joel Greenaway? Where ARE you?’

The voice comes from the corridor. We head back out into the main waiting area, where Fat Matt is shrugging off a policeman.

‘Matt, we’re over here.’ Ant goes over to embrace his friend and the sound of their back-slapping reverberates. I see tears in Ant’s eyes, which he hastily wipes away, disguising the movement by running a hand through his hair. ‘Is Joel’s dad with you?’

Fat Matt shakes his head. I realize he’s not even fat anymore, just sturdy and muscular. I guess the nickname will stick forever, a lifelong reminder of a brief chubby phase in year 10. ‘The doctors took him straight in to see Joel.’

‘That’s good news, ain’t it?’ Ant says. ‘So how come you look like you’ve seen a ghost?’

‘Not a ghost. A woman,’ Matt says. ‘Mr Greenaway was with a woman who was definitely not Mrs Greenaway. The copper had to bang on the door loads of times and eventually when Joel’s dad opened it, I could see her behind him. Not much older than us. In a dressing gown!’

Ant tuts loudly. ‘Enough, OK? You don’t mention this to anyone, especially Joel. Hear me?’