‘It’s round this corner,’ Mike says.

Gary stops dancing, and starts walking, but doesn’t let go of my arm.

‘Wait,’ he says, stopping in his tracks. Donna bumps into me on the other side. ‘Where the hell is Jonesy?’

We all look around but he’s not behind us. He’s nowhere near.

‘I haven’t seen him all night.’

‘You lost him?’ Donna says, ‘you just left him there?’

Mike starts laughing so hard he’s bent over with it.

Gary shrugs. ‘I’m not his bloody father.’

‘You’re old enough,’ Donna says.

‘Says you, Mrs Mutton.’

She comes forward to slap him but trips on a loose paving stone and slams against me.

‘Ow!’

‘I’m sorry,’ she says, and her words are slurred, one strap falling down across her shoulder, ‘but he’s a bastard.’

‘Everyone just calm down,’ Mike says. ‘He probably just found someone he knew and buggered off like usual.’

‘You better hope so,’ Donna said, ‘or it’ll be on your head.’

I try to picture Jonsey in detail. His scruffy hair dyed a couple of shades too dark for his skin. The way he lets it hang over one eye. The quietness, the way he blushes when he’s put on the spot. He’s not really cut out for customer service. I can’t imagine him alone in the club.

‘Stop over-reacting,’ Gary says. ‘He’ll be reet. He’ll have gone somewhere more suited to his tastes.’

‘What do you mean?’ Donna says.

‘Oh come on,’ Gary says, looking to Mike for support, ‘I can’t be the only one who thinks it?’

‘What?’ I say, but I know what he’s getting at. It’s dawning on me and I can’t believe it’s never occurred to me before.

Gary rolls his eyes. ‘It’s obvious isn’t it? His best friends are all girls but he never has a girlfriend. He wears eyeliner. Do I need go on?’

‘Yes,’ Donna says.

‘Ok then. He’s dancing at the other end of the ballroom. Batting for the other team. Packing fudge for a living. Is that clear enough?’

I pull my arm away from him. I feel sick.

‘Oh come on!’ he says, ‘just because I say what everyone else is thinking!’

‘I’m going back,’ I say and turn and start walking.

‘Oh, come on!’ Gary says, ‘he’s a big boy!’

Donna stumbles after me. ‘He’ll be long gone by now,’ she says, ‘don’t leave me with them.’

‘I can’t stay.’

‘You coming, Donna?’ Gary shouts.

She shrugs and lets me go.