‘I don’t need a doctor. I feel great. It’s just … I mean, it’s brilliant here. All my dreams coming true.’

‘Your accent sounds weird. You sound like Michael.’

‘No, I don’t.’

‘Yes, you do. You sound just like him. A little clone. What’s happened to my sister?’

‘You have to go, Dee. Michael doesn’t want you here.’

Dee started to cry. ‘I’ve flown all this way to see you. You look so … thin. Your cheeks … God. Worse than when you had the cancer. What is he doing to you?’

‘Nothing,’ I said. ‘I just told you. Things are amazing. I’m living with a rock star. I have everything I’ve ever wanted.’

‘Oh, come on, Lorna,’ Dee said. ‘Who are you kidding? This place is a building site, not a house. And he’s married.’

‘I know he’s still married. He and his wife are separated, but they can’t divorce because of the press.’

‘They’re not separated,’ Dee said. ‘He was at an awards ceremony with Diane just last month. I saw it in the papers.’

‘Michael has to do that stuff,’ I said. ‘You know, keeping up the married-man image. He doesn’t want to. He and Diane don’t have sex anymore. He doesn’t love her. He loves me.’

‘He’s brainwashed you,’ Dee snapped. ‘He’s keeping you out here like a little bird in a cage, while he goes back and forth to his wife. Why can’t you see it?’

‘Life with a rock star is complicated. It’s not like a normal relationship. If I want to be with Michael, I have to accept that.’

Michael’s words, not mine. But I didn’t have many of my own words left by then.

Dee reached through the bars to take my hand. ‘Your hands are so cold. And your eyes – you’re not yourself.’

‘I am.’ I snatched my hand back. ‘Look, I told you. I’m happy. I have everything I could ever want. You’re just being a jealous bitch.’

‘You don’t mean that,’ said Dee. ‘This is the first time I’ve seen you in months. You never call. I had no idea where you were. I had to stalk you to find this place and now you won’t even let me in the house. It’s like you died or something. He’s controlling you.’

‘No, not at all,’ I said. ‘But this is Michael’s house, Dee. I don’t get to choose who comes and goes.’

‘And you think that’s normal?’

‘I understand where Michael’s coming from. After that press story, he doesn’t want you here. He’s very protective of his privacy.’

‘Wait – what press story?’

‘Michael thinks you sold a story on us.’

‘No, I didn’t! I didn’t sell any story. I’d never do that.’