‘Here is what’s going to happen.’ In a flash Haru removed something from his jacket. ‘I will act as your delivery boy.’ He held out a small manila envelope, similar to the one she’d received earlier. ‘I’ll pass these on to you, and I expect you to give your replies to me. And don’t worry,’ he added, gifting her a fox-like grin, ‘I promise I won’t read them.’

Lottie felt hot and yet she was shaking as if it were the dead of winter. She could still remember finding Jamie, feverish and afraid, begging her to get as far away from the Goat Man as possible. He was the looming shadow that followed them, always just out of reach, but now he was close enough that she could practically feel him under her skin.

‘Why on earth would I agree to that, after everything he’s done to my friends and family?’ She tried not to let the fear seep into her voice.

‘I am not finished yet,’ Haru said sharply, reminding her she didn’t have a choice. ‘We want to give you a chance to put things right, and I am here to keep an eye on you, to make sure you and your little friends stop interfering in business that you do not understand.’

Lottie recoiled, feeling like Haru really was a teacher at the school and that she was being reprimanded.

‘These are not requests. These are rules.’ His eyes locked on hers like a vice, forcing her to hold his gaze. ‘You have seen what we can do, but we would much rather avoid any serious unpleasantness.’

It was another threat, and Lottie could only gulp it down, thinking of Dom, Marcy and Ellie and all her friends.

‘Do you understand?’

Lottie nodded.

‘I want to hear you say it.’

Any ounce of pride Lottie had was shattered, and she looked up through her furrowed brows, not hiding any of her anger when she replied: ‘Yes, I understand.’

Even though Haru was on the other side of the pool, she could still smell the toasted marshmallow scent that followed him around, like he was right there, hand at her neck.

‘Good.’ His summery smile spread back over his lips like frosting, covering up his harshness, and it made her feel crazy, like she’d imagined the whole thing. ‘Now, are you ready to hear the rest of our rules?’

Lottie went to nod again, but Haru’s eyes narrowed.

‘Yes, I’m ready,’ she said, gritting her teeth, and wishing she could kick him into the bottom of the empty pool.

‘Along with giving me your replies to Claude once a week, I will spend one hour alone with Jamie, completely undisturbed. If you fail to allow this, we will take your Partizan by force.’