She hadn’t told Ellie, or anyone, about the letter she’d received. Haru’s threat meant that it was impossible for her to get the words out.

‘Thrice he assay’d, and, thrice in spite of scorn, tears, such as angels weep, burst forth!’ Ms Kuma intoned, her elegant face peering over the top of her copy of Milton’s Paradise Lost. ‘Can you tell me what that means? That he assay’d?’

Lottie raised her hand to speak but was cut off by another girl in what felt like a calculated interjection. ‘It means he tried to speak, ma’am, but each time he opened his mouth he’d start crying,’ said Billy Levine, a Stratus girl who Lottie knew from her habit of nabbing a number of leading roles in the school musicals. Looking very pleased with herself, Billy gave Lottie a wicked smile, her short, curly bobbed hair bouncing beneath a yellow beret like it was taunting her.

Even Lottie’s favourite class wasn’t safe from Haru’s poison.

‘It’s not just regular crying, though, is it?’ Ms Kuma continued. ‘These are angels’ tears, suggesting that there is still some goodness left in him at this point. That he still has regrets. Or perhaps it is his greatest deceit.’

Interrupting with a high-pitched trill, the bell went. The second she heard it, Lottie leaped to her feet like she’d been given a military command, packing up her bag with a sickly unease, each item taking her one step closer to Haru.

‘Now wait a moment!’ Ms Kuma gestured for everyone to sit back down, making Lottie wince. ‘With the Presentation of the Pillars coming up in the spring, I want you all to start thinking about how you’ll pay respect to your house namesakes. If any of you Ivy students want to discuss powerful women in poetry or literature for a Florence Ivy tribute, please do not hesitate to see me. Same goes to Conch students, although I’m not sure I will be much help there. And my fellow Stratus students –’ she beamed out at the room, her gaze falling naturally on Billy, who was clearly a favourite – ‘you know you can always come and chat to me any time. You’re dismissed.’

Lottie went to stand up, and Ms Kuma stopped her again. ‘Lottie, could I borrow you for a chat, please?’

‘Of course!’ Lottie smiled, putting to work all her princess training. She watched the rest of the class filter out, yellow, purple and red blending together as each of them stared at her. It wasn’t the usual nods and goodbyes she was used to. It was cold and alienating, and it reminded her of the damage Haru had caused.