I knew I was overdoing it, but the consequences of getting fat didn’t bear thinking about. Michael had told me over and over again how much he hated fat on a woman. His type was frail to the point of anorexic. Fat on women repulsed him, even though he himself was plump around the middle now the tour had finished.

As I struggled to get my breath back, I saw Michael, dark and looming in the wall-to-wall mirrors. He wore a black T-shirt, jeans and Ray-Ban sunglasses. His arms were crossed and his lips tight.

My whole body tensed. I recognized the signs. Something was up and I was to blame.

‘What?’ I asked, stepping down from the running machine.

Michael took off his sunglasses. He had that dark look again. Shoulders hunched over, eyes hard and cold.

‘I’ve been here the whole time,’ I said, voice going high and scared. ‘The whole time. I got up and came straight down to exercise. I didn’t even have breakfast—’

‘Your sister’s at the gate.’

‘Dee’s here?’

Michael nodded, jaw hard.

I shook my head. ‘She can’t be. She’s in New York.’

‘She must have got on a plane,’ said Michael. ‘I hear it’s quite the thing these days. Air travel.’

‘I didn’t tell her the address,’ I said, words rushed. ‘How could I? I wouldn’t even know how to get here myself. I swear to you, Michael. You won’t even let me call her.’

‘Well. She’s here.’

‘This is nothing to do with me. It’s not my fault, Michael. Please—’

‘The girl says she won’t leave until she sees you. If you want to associate with that press rat, be my guest. But pack your bags.’

‘Michael, she’s not a press rat. She wouldn’t have said a word about us. It was someone on your staff. It had to be—’

‘Don’t you DARE accuse my staff. Don’t you dare.’ Michael clicks his fingers at the door. ‘Go tell her she needs to leave. I want her off my property, Lorna. This is my home.’

‘Fine. Okay, I’ll tell her.’

Michael’s eyes softened then. ‘Listen – I’ve been through what you’ve been through. Remember? Family can be the worst of them. The very worst. You can’t choose your family. But you can cut them out now and move on with your life.’

There was a colourful splodge at the gates. As I got nearer, the splodge separated into a purple coat, bright red woolly hat and blue knee-high boots.

My sister.

Dee’s mouth dropped open when I got close. ‘Lorna. Jesus. Are you okay? You’re so thin.’

‘I’m fine. I’ve been exercising. Staying fit. Michael has his own gym here.’

‘Have you seen a doctor lately?’