I don’t change into the PJs. I don’t even take them out the plastic. I think about how vexed Annie would be. She’s always going on about how the whole world’s wrapped in plastic “and it’s SO unnecessary, Charlene”.

I don’t suppose I’m ever gonna see Annie again. Social services like you to make a clean break. It’s like the Lidl middle bargain aisle. Once you’re gone, you’re gone. But I suppose Annie’s gonna be there if this thing goes to court. Of course, she’s gonna be on Blake’s side, not mine.

I’ve been Released Under Investigation. Vera said that was probably a good result. Roberto too, before he hurried back to his in-laws. It means the police want more information about what happened before they decide what to do.

I don’t know what else they want to find out. All they got to do is go to Annie’s and see the tangled-up wool on Blake’s bed. Go to my old room and find all those dinosaur books. Maybe they’d understand then. This wasn’t just about the blanket. This was about Kandi and me. It still is. Blake did what he did. I did what I did. Now there’s no way in hell that Kandi’s dad will let me see her again.

I sit on the bed and I can smell the cleanness, like the covers just rolled out of the washing machine onto the duvet. It’s not even eight o’clock yet, but it’s November. It’s been dark for hours.

The foster carer knocks on the door and calls my name. It’s faster to answer because she’s gonna come in anyway. She’s been told I’m upset and has to keep an eye on me. She stands by the door and asks if I want her to turn on the light. I don’t. She asks if there’s anything I need. I shake my head. She pauses a little longer. She sighs. A sigh plus the way she’s standing plus the look on her face tells me what she’s gonna say next. “It’s none of my business, but …”

“It’s none of my business,” the foster carer says, “but I just wanted to …”

She makes an awkward face. She wants to give me advice.

“It’s not exactly advice,” she says, “but …”

I think she’s waiting for a sign from me. I’m not gonna say nothing, but I raise my eyebrows, just in case she’s got good night-time vision and can see them.

“I don’t know exactly what happened today,” she says. “And of course you don’t have to tell me.”

Nope.

“But you’ve been released under investigation, so perhaps it’s something less serious?”