Jonno was facing him now and shouting at him but the blood rushing from his chest to his head was deafening. Dave needed a minute. Rave? What are ya doing, man? What are you hanging off the fuckin’ bridge at low tide for? It’s freezing.

‘Dave!’ Jonno shouted. He was in Dave’s face. ‘Snap out of it.’

‘Rave?’ Dave said.

Rave’s arms were threaded through the iron bars and his heels barely fitted on the edge. He looked like Jesus, if Jesus had been hanging from a bridge instead of nailed to a cross. He was blue with cold, he’d lost weight and a patch of his black hair had turned white at the roots. His fingers and arms were blue so even if he’d wanted to hold on he probably couldn’t for much longer. Dave couldn’t take it in.

‘Rave.’ Jonno leaned over the railings. ‘It’s me, Jonno. Howya doin’, man?’

‘Don’t fuckin’ ask him that. It’s very fuckin’ clear how he’s doing,’ Dave said, finally finding his voice.

‘Shut up, Dave,’ Jonno said. ‘Rave, can you hear me?’

‘I can hear you.’ Rave kept his eyes on the water.

‘Oh, good.’ Jonno sighed. ‘Why don’t I help you?’

‘You touch me and I’ll jump.’

Dave dropped the bike with a thud.

Jonno jumped. ‘Jesus Christ, Dave, be fuckin’ careful!’

‘Sorry.’ Dave meant it. He felt really terribly, horribly sorry.

Jonno turned back to Rave. ‘I need you to tell me what I can do to help.’

‘Nothing.’

‘Everybody’s been looking for you. It’s been mad, hasn’t it, Dave?’

Dave nodded, even though Rave was facing the water and couldn’t see him. ‘The police and the press and Jeremy’s ma.’

‘Maisie was looking for me?’

Dave saw a little light switch on in him. ‘She went on the telly and told you she loved ya. She wanted yis home.’

Rave’s eyes filled. ‘I wrote her a letter. She’ll get it tomorrow.’

‘Why did you do that?’ Jonno said.

‘I needed to explain.’

‘Why don’t I go and get some help?’

‘It’s too late, Jonno.’

‘No, it’s not!’ Jonno said, in a panic. ‘You just hang on – all right, man?’

‘No. Can’t.’

‘You can – you are! Look at you.’

‘It’s too late.’

‘I could get Maisie,’ Jonno said and Rave gulped. ‘It’s better to say things in person.’

Rave thought about that and nodded. ‘You’re right.’

Thank God, Dave thought. Nice one, Jonno. Dave really didn’t know what was going on. What did Rave need to say to Maisie? What was he doing on the bridge? Where was Jeremy?

‘OK, good. Hang on while I get her. Dave is gonna stay here with you,’ Jonno said, in a calm voice.

‘I am in me hole!’ Dave almost screeched. No way! I can’t, I can’t, I can’t!