‘You’re jokin’, right?’ Jeremy imagined himself telling Deirdre about this madness tomorrow. She’s gonna have something to say about it.

‘Not jokin’. Come on, driver, let’s go,’ Rave said.

The gates were open even though Jeremy was hoping they’d be locked. Shite, what are they open for? It’s dangerous around here. I’ve a good mind to write a letter of complaint. He followed the narrow track beside the rushing water. His heart raced and he wanted desperately to get off the bike. ‘Why don’t we walk this bit?’ he shouted back to Rave.

‘What?’ Rave said.

‘Let’s walk it!’

Rave leaned to the side to hear him.

Don’t lean! It’s slippy as fuck – don’t lean, you nutter!

‘Is Beany scared?’ Rave laughed, grabbed Jeremy from behind and shook him so that they wobbled. For a second it felt like they were slipping towards the water. Instinct took over: Jeremy gripped the handlebars, straightened the bike and forged on through the muck and undergrowth. Rave held on for a few seconds too long and Jeremy could feel his heart beating against his back, the weight and warmth of his body. He gulped. He felt Rave’s hands move towards his chest, his breath on his neck. Oh, God. When his friend pulled back, the cold wind whipped between them.

‘I don’t feel well,’ Rave said. Jeremy stopped the bike just as they hit the reservoir bridge. Rave slipped off the saddle and stumbled a little. ‘I think I overdid it, Beany. Feelin’ dizzy.’

‘What can I do?’

‘Just give us a minute.’ Rave sat on the ground, leaning against the bars of the bridge. Jeremy wasn’t used to seeing him so compromised. He was fine when the lads left.

‘Sit with me for a minute, Beany.’

‘It’s soaking.’

‘It’s not too bad.’

Jeremy sat down gingerly, his back against the rusty bars. They felt gaping, unsafe. The water was a good drop down but he still felt too close to it. ‘Did you take something?’ he asked Rave.

‘No. I swear. I never would. The booze just hit me all of a sudden.’

‘OK.’

‘And I’m tired.’

Rave did look tired, Jeremy thought – in fact, he looked exhausted. His eyes were hollow, his face gaunt.

‘Been one of those days,’ Rave said, arching his neck to look up at the night sky. It was dense, cloudy, no stars, just darkness and the threat of more rain. He leaned against the bars on the bridge, slowly filling his lungs with oxygen.

‘You OK now?’ Jeremy said.

‘I feel better.’ He slapped Jeremy’s biceps, then kept his hand there, steadying himself.

Jeremy felt tightness, slight tingling and mild dizziness. He wanted to reach out and grab Rave’s hand but he fought the instinct with every fibre of his being. ‘We need to move.’

‘OK, but not on the bike,’ Rave said.

‘Where are we goin’?’