‘It says only one.’ The doorman looked back at them.

‘Really?’ Clover queried, stalling for time. How could she talk him into letting them in, with a queue like that? ‘That’s so odd. Mikey told me to bring my—’

‘Crew. We’re his film crew. We’re doing a documentary on him,’ Johnny said, interrupting.

‘Oh! You’re Camera Lady?’ the doorman said, a sudden smile breaking through his sternness.

‘Yes!’ Clover said brightly, having to suppress yet more laughter as she caught sight of Matty’s expression. ‘I’m Camera Lady.’

‘I heard about you! Yeah, yeah, go right in.’

‘What the fu—?’ Matty grinned as the door was opened, just like that. They had to push their way through the immediate crowd, staggering through – less easy for Johnny, there was more of him to fold – until they eventually found a small pocket of space.

They looked around happily. So this was Saas-Fee’s après-ski! The noise was deafening. The band was playing, the lead singer standing at the mic and giving it his all. There were tables set around the walls but they were mobbed. There would be no chance of sitting down.

‘Shee-iit,’ Johnny said, pulling a face as he looked towards the bar. ‘That’s some crowd. Could take a while.’

‘You better load up then, Johnny-boy,’ Matty said, pushing him into the melee with a wicked grin. ‘At least they’ll be able to see you.’ He was almost a head taller than most people there.

Clover turned around on the spot, trying to find Mikey. There were so many people . . . it felt suddenly ridiculous to think that they could join him. How many people would he have asked along? Everyone he met? It was a full-on party in here; he wouldn’t have given her a second though—

‘Clover!’

She looked up. Mikey was waving to her from across the room. He was standing at one of the tables, beckoning her over. ‘Get over here!’ he yelled.

‘Yikes!’ Clover gasped, looking back at Matty. ‘He’s seen us.’

‘Well, go on then. Lead on!’

Clover’s hand flew up to her cheek uncertainly; Matty had put her make-up on for her, doing some intricate blending to lose the last shadows of the bruise, but she still felt insecure being out. It had been one thing being able to hide out in the chalet or behind ski goggles. In here, everyone was gorgeous.

‘You can’t see it, I promise!’ Matty yelled, seeing her hesitation. ‘Plus the lighting’s so shit in here!’

‘You’re absolutely sure you’re up for this?’

‘He’s got a table! Of course I’m up for it!’ her friend said, pushing her onwards.

‘We’ll just stay for one drink!’ Clover shouted over the noise.

‘The hell we will!’ Matty laughed back as they twisted, ducked and snaked through the crush of bodies.