‘You need a reality pill, Diane,’ I snap. ‘We’re both his victims. You just don’t see it. He’s using you. You’re good for his image.’

‘I’m not a victim,’ Diane shouts. ‘Michael and I are still going strong after twenty years, in spite of girls like you throwing yourselves at him. What did you expect when you picked up a married rock star outside of a concert? Happily ever after?’

The truth is, that’s exactly what I expected – stupid little teenage idiot that I was.

‘I’m asking you to leave our property,’ says Diane. ‘I have an anniversary party to organize.’ She gives an odd smile, then turns back to the house.

‘Please, Diane—’

‘Excuse me, madam.’

I feel a tap on my shoulder.

Two police officers stand behind me. One has shiny brown hair pinned into a bun, large sun spots on her cheeks and carrying a good twelve pounds of flesh around her stomach. She looks overheated and holds her cap in short, fat fingers.

The other, a male, reminds me of a milk bottle: tall, pale and skinny with an impeccable uniform. And way too young to be doing this job.

‘What?’ I demand.

‘You’re on private property,’ says the policewoman.

‘I have a right to be here,’ I say. ‘My daughter is here. Behind those gates. She’s only sixteen.’

‘Mrs Ray told us the full story,’ says the policewoman. ‘You’re on private property, so if you could come with us, please, Miss Miller.’

‘How do you know my name?’

‘Mrs Ray filled us in.’

‘Get my daughter out of there and I’ll go with you.’

‘Miss Miller. If you don’t come with us now, you’ll be charged with trespass. We know … we know you’ve had problems.’

‘You’ve got your facts mixed up.’ I turn back to the gate, wedging my foot back into the railings. ‘Michael isn’t what you think he is. He’s a monster.’

‘Miss Miller!’ The policewoman shouts. ‘Come with us now, before you get yourself into any more trouble. This is Mr Ray’s private property and you have no right to make a nuisance of yourself.’

‘You don’t understand,’ I say, finding another foothold on the gate and pulling myself up. ‘If you did, you’d be telling Michael to open the gates and let my daughter out.’

‘We understand the situation.’ The female police officer looks up at me. ‘You’ve been … very keen on Mr Ray and his music for a long time. And you just want to get close to him.’

The skinny policeman adds: ‘The word is stalking.’

I look down. ‘This is a set-up. I don’t care if you arrest me for breaking and entering – I’m speaking to my daughter.’

‘We will arrest you right now for attempted breaking and entering,’ says the policeman.