‘Please take him,’ Owen says. ‘I’m begging you. He’s doing my head in.’

‘He’s just annoyed that the gay boy wants to talk fashion,’ Josh retorts.

‘I just want you to make a decision! He’s being indecisive about tonight’s outfit.’

‘I’m not being indecisive! I’m being thorough.’

‘Well, actually,’ I say, ‘that’s exactly what I want to talk about.’

‘Why didn’t you say so!’ Josh jumps to his feet excitedly. ‘I’m always here to talk fashion! Intending to pull a look tonight, are we?’

‘Not exactly,’ I say, thinking of my plain white suit.

Owen lies back with his head in his hands and shuts his eyes, taking in the warm sunshine. He’s pretending to be grateful for the peace and quiet, but I know he loves Josh really. Because that’s how we all feel. We pretend to be annoyed by his stupid jokes, but I’ve even seen him make Tiffany crack a smile. Life at Oakbrook would be a whole lot less fun without him.

‘So?’ Josh says, once we’re out of earshot. ‘What fabulous outfits are we talking?’

‘Yours,’ I say. ‘I know what you’re wearing tonight. It’s a jester’s outfit, right?’

‘Oh, that absolute gibbon.’ He glances back at Owen. ‘I told him not to tell anyone!’

‘He didn’t tell me anything,’ I say. ‘But there is another choice, right? Something else you were thinking of?’

‘Yeah, but it’s too serious,’ Josh says. ‘I think everyone’s expecting me to do something a bit more fun.’

‘Why, what is it?’

‘I can’t ruin the surprise!’

‘But it’s … important.’

‘Oh yes, very important,’ he says. ‘Zach, what’s really going on here?’

‘It’s complicated,’ I say. ‘But did you see the results of the leavers’ poll?’

‘Oh my God!’ he says. ‘Hottest boy! I knew it was you that voted for me!’

‘Wait, what?’ I say. ‘I thought you voted for me!’

‘Why would I do that?’

‘OK, wow,’ I say. ‘Why don’t you tell me how you really feel?’

He laughs at that. ‘You already know I think you’re hot, Zach. I didn’t need to tell you in some anonymous poll. You think I give out love bites to just anyone?’

‘I didn’t want the love bite! That’s how people found out!’

‘You expect them to believe we went into the boathouse to do what – a jigsaw? Though I do like jigsaws.’ He bites his lip. ‘The way the pieces slot together so effortlessly.’

‘Oh my God –’ I groan – ‘can you be serious for one second?’

‘Hmm.’ He thinks about it. ‘No, I really don’t think I can.’

I want to be annoyed, but I can’t help but smile. Maybe this makes things easier.

‘So you really didn’t vote for me?’ I say. ‘It seriously wasn’t you?’