‘Are you denying me being with the one person I want to be with over a stupid band?’ I ask him. ‘Are you really going to hold onto this forever? Why don’t you want me to be with him?’

He inhales and I fear what is coming next. There is more to this story, I just know it.

‘He will only ever be trouble, Charlotte! You’re making a big mistake, believe me, but hey, maybe I’m wrong? Maybe you two will live happily ever after,’ he spits at me and gets up from the stool. ‘But I very much doubt it.’

He walks away, leaving me puce-faced in front of Angela who is finding it hard not to look in our direction.

And at that he is gone.

My head is spinning with what just happened. I just don’t understand. What on earth could spark such a reaction? Why is he so angry at Tom, so bitter and mad that he can’t even stand the mention of his name? I look at Angela in utter confusion and embarrassment that she witnessed such an uproar, but she looks away until I say a quick goodbye to her, deciding to go after him and demand some answers. This time she does meet my eye, but her look is now one of pity, like I’m the last to know on this sorry occasion. I jump from the bar stool to follow my brother out onto the street where I’m met with a furious blizzard of fresh snow.

‘Matthew! Matthew, where are you going? Wait for me, please!’

I’m blinded by the wind, the snow and the haze of alcohol that’s pumping through my veins and blurring my already confused state of mind.

‘Matthew!’

I reach into my pocket to find my car keys, knowing that even out here in the middle of nowhere it’s too risky to drive. My head is racing, my heart is thumping, and I know there’s no way I could get behind the wheel to follow him, wherever he has disappeared to. I’ve had almost three drinks in a very short space of time and my emotions are running high. I can’t drive, I just can’t.

But I don’t know what else to do. The snow is thick and heavy now, and then I see him. I can just about see Matthew getting into his car across the street.

‘Matthew, no!’ I shout into the roaring wind. ‘You can’t drive in this weather! You’ve had too much to drink! Matthew, please don’t!’