The large pieces of decking left over from the last smashed boat were making it easy to assemble. Those were being used for the main part, with loads of plastic bottles beneath for buoyancy. Too many people were already involved in trying to build the raft for it to be sensible. Most of them were doing more standing around poking and commenting than actual building, and there were a lot of raised voices – not of arguing, more of everybody trying to make sure that their voice was heard. Definitely one or two people alone could have done it more quickly – but there was a lot of nervous energy on board, and I think people needed to feel that they were involved in doing something.

Over at the Big House another, smaller group was repairing the plastic-bag rope. Another big pile of sea rubbish had been found towards the edge of the muscle ring this morning, so the rope was now almost as long as it had been . . . a few days ago. All the knots were just methodically being checked to ensure that it was as sturdy as possible.

‘What shall we do?’ I asked.

‘I have no clue,’ said James. ‘I might go and dig a hole and wee in it. Want to help?’

I shrugged. It was better than nothing.

Dr Jones strode towards us purposefully.

‘Uh oh,’ said James. ‘Don’t make eye contact. It looks like she’s about to give us some maths to do.’ He picked up a piece of plastic and started fiddling with it urgently, a frown on his face as though he was deep in concentration and doing something of vital importance.

‘You four can have one between you.’ Dr Jones held out a plain knife, with a smooth metal handle and a serrated blade.

‘Oh . . .’ said Kate, taking it. ‘Thanks very much.’ She clasped it uncertainly by the very tip of the handle. ‘What shall we do with this?’ she said, turning to us.

James grinned at me, dropping the plastic again.

‘I’ve got a few ideas,’ said Lana.

Kate slowly moved the knife round behind her back, keeping her eyes on Lana as she did so.

‘No! I’m not going to stab you with it. Why would you think that?’

‘I didn’t think that,’ said Kate. ‘I’d just like to hear your ideas before I give it to you.’ She smiled at Lana.

James sniggered. ‘This is going to be brilliant,’ he whispered to me.

‘We should cut our hair – all the salty, knotted bits that hurt and scratch when you lie down on them. There’s no way we’ll get a brush through them when we get on shore, so I think we should cut them off now. Plus, they might smell a bit,’ said Lana.

‘They do smell. And not just a bit,’ said James.

‘The knife’s too blunt for that,’ said Kate.