‘I had had a fair bit to drink, I know that. I must have or I would never have gone back to his house. Although . . .’

‘Confession time,’ said Monica, accurately interpreting her sudden pause. ‘You fancied him rotten. I’d have gone back to his place after a glass of Ribena. He’s a ride.’

‘What?’

‘Local expression. Self-explanatory. Shall we go and sit down on that bench over there? I’ve had a broken night.’

‘Oh, me too.’ Shivers were convulsing Laura’s body and she didn’t know whether they were caused by the cold, her hangover or by what had happened the night before. She remembered now exactly how much she had wanted to sleep with Dermot Flynn. She remembered how she’d decided that of all the men in the entire world he was the one who should have her virginity. And although the light of day was horribly cold and she felt iller than she could ever remember feeling, she hadn’t changed her mind. Not really.

‘So, did you have fun?’ asked Monica. ‘I won’t ask if you had an orgasm, because you probably didn’t.’

‘No . . . I don’t think I did.’

‘What? Have fun or the orgasm?’

‘Monica, I know this sounds really mad but I’m not sure if we had sex or not.’

Monica didn’t answer immediately. ‘Do you think it’s possible that you had sex and can’t remember?’

They reached the bench and as they sat on it, Laura winced.

‘You’re tender – down there?’

Laura acknowledged that she was. ‘But we went on that bike ride to see your boyfriend.’

‘But I’m fine! I know I’m more used to cycling than you, but you’re young and fit. I wouldn’t have thought you’d be that uncomfortable. You walked most of the way, after all.’

‘There were some very bumpy bits on the way home.’ Laura turned to her friend. ‘I do need to find out, Mon. I have to know if I had sex or not. I feel it’s important.’

Monica laughed gently. ‘Well, of course it is important, but—’

‘No, really. I have to find out. I can’t go back to England not knowing. I just can’t.’

Monica became practical. ‘OK, let’s try and work it out. Were you alone when you woke up?’

Laura shook her head. ‘No. He was asleep beside me. Snoring. And naked.’

‘Hmm . . . Well, did you notice anything, er, discarded on the floor? You know, like a condom?’

Laura pulled a face. ‘No, but then I was too busy finding my clothes and wanting to leave as quickly as possible.’