Why is this programmed into us so deeply? Will wonders. Why do we think we need to put on this stupid fucking show? Who taught us that?

‘Apologize to her,’ Danny shouts, wagging a finger in Beige Mac’s face, as if his anger has anything to do with protecting April’s honour.

‘For what?’ the girl with the ciggie asks, her eyes fixed on April. ‘She told you why she left our school?’

‘Fuck’s sake, Danny,’ April says, dropping into the passenger seat. ‘Let’s go. Please?’

‘Told you about her best friend, has she?’ the girl says.

For a second, Danny takes his eyes off his opponent, glancing into the car. Beige Mac strides forward, halving the gap between them. Tracksuit Boy takes up a position a step behind. Benji remains looking at the ground, the fur collar of his parka pulled high round his ears. The others barely seem to register Benji’s presence. He’s an outlier to this group of friends, that’s quite clear.

‘News to you, innit, bruv?’ Beige Mac says to Danny with a laugh.

‘Ask her about Lauren Hall,’ the girl shouts, talking to Danny but staring at the side of April’s head through the side window. ‘Best friends since they were babies. Know what this little sket bitch did?’

Will stares at April. She seems emotionless, looking dead ahead. Beige Mac and Tracksuit Boy close in another step on Danny. No man’s land is gone. Still Benji hovers a distance away: an actor in the wings, waiting to step onstage.

V. important you only talk to Danny. Underlined three times. Will’s heart pounds. Soon he should make his move.

Will looks again at Benji, standing alone, silent, one hand fumbling in his coat pocket.

‘Gonna tell him what you did?’ the girl shouts at April, slapping the window.

‘Can you stick a muzzle on that?’ Danny says, his nose almost touching Beige Mac’s.

‘Her best friend!’ the girl shouts, drawing the words out. ‘Pretty little April here, clever, goody-two-shoes April … was fucking her best friend’s dad!’

Danny glances round at April but she gives no reaction.

The girl puts her face against the windscreen. ‘Daddy-fucking whore!’ she screams.

‘Bit young for her, aren’t you?’ Beige Mac says in Danny’s face.

Danny leans back from the waist. In one movement, his hands fly up, grabbing the guy by the shoulders. Danny’s head comes piling forward into Beige Mac’s face. The aim of his headbutt is slightly off, the thump as he contacts cheekbone instead of nose audible to Will all that distance away. Tracksuit Boy piles in. He and Danny slap and grapple in an attempt to get each other in a headlock. Half blinded though he is, Beige Mac weighs back in, feet first.

Benji walks closer. He watches, waits.