As he ran through the crowds rushing the other way, he spotted men with hoodies and face masks throwing bottles, bits of wood ripped off gates and anything else that might cause harm. He frantically scanned the scene and worked out that most people were running in the direction of the police because they thought they’d be safe. In his experience of riot control, they would be gravely disappointed. Anyone who didn’t scarper from a violent scene would instantly be viewed as an aggressor. The whole point of riot control was that force was met with greater force and things were brought rapidly to an end.

As the mass of people surged this way and that, he spotted Ted lying on a grass verge beside the road. He wasn’t moving. He ran to him and went for his phone, and that was when he noticed he didn’t have it. He grabbed the nearest person and ordered them to call an ambulance.

‘Already did, mate, they’re on their way.’

Johnny felt Ted’s forehead. It was cool but not dead cold. Next he checked his pulse: it was too slow. But he heard a groan and watched as Ted opened his eyes and winced in pain. He’d just been knocked out, thank God.

‘Ted?’

‘Johnny? What happened?’

‘I have no idea. Everything has gone wrong; it’s a riot. Come on, we don’t want to get caught up in it. Can you sit up?’

Ted was clearly in pain, but he tried his best and Johnny helped him to his feet. As soon as he was upright, he bent over and vomited.

‘I think I’m concussed.’

‘We need to get you to hospital, come on. Josie and Callum are in the field.’

‘Are they OK?’

‘Yes.’ He helped Ted across the road. The fight was now moving in the other direction, and they watched as the police gradually gained the upper hand. Johnny shook his head: it was all so senseless. As they entered the field, Josie ran to Ted and hugged him. She sat by his side the whole time they waited. Eventually four ambulances turned up and medics treated the most serious casualties. Ted said he could wait.

Another ambulance drove directly into the field and a few people who were mildly injured approached it. Because Ted had suffered a head injury, and he told them that he had vomited, he was told he had to go to hospital. Josie sobbed as she let him go.

It was a long walk back to Johnny’s car in Penrith. Josie and Callum’s phones were both out of charge, and they didn’t pass one pay phone that was working. By the time they reached the car, it was four o’clock and they were freezing. Johnny could barely move his hands, and he put the heaters on high. Thank God he hadn’t lost his car keys.