Before, I’d have done anything to avoid walking into a roomful of people. Now, whoever I meet, there’s this kernel of knowledge inside me, a rabbit I could pull out of the hat if I am feeling shy. Hello, my name is Kerry, I’m eighteen today, I’m doing A levels in Biology, Chemistry and Physics and – oh, did I mention? I helped to save somebody’s life.

The lights are turned down in Girasol, though I think I can see the flicker of candlelight. I hesitate at the door, suddenly afraid that this is the best bit, this anticipation.

When I think of what disappointment would look like, the image of a packed room, with no Joel, flashes through my mind.

As I push the door open, a cheer deafens me. It looks like the whole sixth form is in here and I take in the medical-themed decorations: red crosses and bunting made from bandages and ‘Dr. Beat’ blasting out of the speakers. I see Tim straight away, dressed in blue scrubs, his hopeful face seeking confirmation that he’s got this right.

But even as I head towards him, I am scanning the other faces, my fixed grin faltering, until . . .

There. Joel leans on the bar, a distance between him and the others, maybe because he’s still scared someone might knock against his abdomen.

My smile turns goofy and my heart changes rhythm, a blush spreading across my cheeks and the warmth travelling all the way through my body. And for a split second, his face changes and I wonder: could he fancy me back?

Now Tim is embracing me, his herbal aftershave making me want to sneeze, but I can’t break eye contact with Joel.

‘Is this OK?’ Tim whispers in my ear. ‘Did I get it right?’

‘God, yeah! You know me so well. It’s everything I wanted.’

Chapter 13: Joel

I’ve got to get the hell out of here.

Away from all the smart, smug kids who can only talk about mocks and revision and conditional offers.

Away from Tim, who looks like the cat who got the bloody cream, as he snakes his arm around Kerry’s waist. Whenever my ribs ache or my scar itches, I blame him. The idea of him pawing at my body as I lay dead on the grass makes me want to hit him, and I’ve never hit anyone in my life.

But mostly I need to get away from her. Until she walked into the Arsehole tonight, I thought she would only ever be a mate, yet the minute I saw how beautiful she looks, I realized . . . it’s nowhere near as simple as that. And it’s scrambling my crappy brain.

I spin back towards the bar and look for Ant. He grins and grabs another bottle of Sol for me. I shake my head and mouth, ‘No, I’m going home.’