Annalise risked an excited glance at Michael. Then she looked around the vestibule at the plasterboard, ladders and paint cans. Even with all the mess, it was probably less chaotic than Cat’s place.

‘Is my room upstairs?’ Annalise asked.

‘Yeah, upstairs,’ said Michael. ‘Lorna – grab Annalise’s stuff, will you? Come on now. Lend a hand. Make the girl feel welcome.’

I wanted to swallow but couldn’t. My throat was tight as a drum.

Michael linked Annalise’s arm and escorted her up the stairs, leaving me with the bags. I dragged the luggage over the floor and bumped it viciously up each step, bump, bump, bump.

‘Does her mother know she’s here, Michael?’ I asked.

Michael turned to give me hard eyes. ‘No. Annalise needs a little peace and quiet from Cat.’

‘But she’s only fifteen. She shouldn’t be staying somewhere without her mother’s permission.’

Annalise grabbed Michael’s hand. ‘Age doesn’t matter. It’s just a label. Right, Michael?’

Blood rushed to my face. Those were Michael’s words, not hers. Age is just a label. When had he said them to her? He’d said things like that to me in bed, soon after I joined him on tour. Age is just a label. Marriage is just a label. Had he and Annalise been to bed together?

‘Cat’s not going to be happy when she finds out,’ I said. ‘Don’t you think it’s sort of weird? Moving in a fifteen-year-old without her mother’s permission?’

Michael’s eyes blackened. ‘If you say a word, ONE WORD about this—’

‘I didn’t say I’d tell anyone,’ I said. ‘But Cat’s going to find out eventually. You two are friends.’

‘NO ONE is going to tell Cat that Annalise is here,’ Michael boomed. ‘It’s our secret, and if you’re loyal to me, Lorna, then you keep my secrets too. Mention this to Cat and you’re out of here.’

I watched Annalise climb the stairs, holding Michael’s hand, and spots and flashes danced in my vision. ‘I loathe you,’ I told her. ‘Making big lovestruck eyes at him. You won’t take my place, do you hear me? Michael is mine. You won’t take him away from me.’

‘You’re, like, so into ownership,’ said Annalise. ‘Everyone is free. No one belongs to anyone. Michael isn’t your property.’

‘Well, if he’s not mine, he’s not yours either.’

‘Lorna, you’re being jealous and ridiculous,’ said Michael. ‘Annalise is a good friend of the family. Stop acting up.’

‘You want me to share you now?’ I said, starting to cry.

‘You’re being paranoid,’ said Michael.

I turned to Annalise. ‘How long do you need to stay here?’

‘I don’t know. Michael. How long am I staying here?’

‘As long as you like, love. Like I said. You’re practically family.’