‘Give me a second,’ Jonno told Rave. He walked over to Dave and grabbed him by his coat collar. ‘I am faster than you. I am cycling to one of those swish little houses and I’m gonna phone Maisie. You are going to keep Rave company. Do not say anything that will encourage him to jump. Understand?’

‘No.’ Dave’s eyes were wild. ‘I can’t be trusted. I’m a fuckin’ prick, remember.’ He was crying all of a sudden. ‘I’ll say something and he’ll fuckin’ jump. Please. I’ll go. I’ll do it. I’ll cycle this fuckin’ broken bike or I’ll run as fast as I can. Don’t make me stay. If you leave him, he’s as good as dead.’ Dave was sure about that, surer than he’d ever been about anything in his life. The best thing he could do for his friend was leave. Please, Rave, please don’t do this to me.

Jonno relaxed his grip. ‘You’ll be OK. Just be cool.’ Clearly he wasn’t taking no for an answer. He picked up the bike and started to cycle away. He was halfway down the bridge when the gears jammed. Dave watched as he jumped off and ran faster than he’d ever seen him run before.

Dave’s mind raced. He moved over to Rave with his hands up. ‘I come in peace.’

Rave didn’t move a muscle. Dave wondered if he was iced to the bridge. On closer inspection Rave’s top lip was purple, his bottom lip was blue. ‘Hiya,’ Dave said, when he was so close he could have touched Rave. He didn’t respond.

‘Jonno’s just gone to get Ms Bean. He shouldn’t be too long.’

Rave just stared into the water.

‘Jesus, it’s fuckin’ cold, isn’t it? Me gonads have shrivelled to the size of beach balls.’

Rave didn’t laugh.

‘Get it? They’re so big, they shrivel down to the size of beach balls.’

Rave looked tired. He was gaunt and bony. His hair was freaky-looking. Dave was truly terrified. Rave’s arms must really hurt, and when he swayed slightly it looked like he was going to fall. ‘Oh, Jesus. Hang on – hang on, for fuck sake!’

Rave looked like he was ready to go. ‘Tell Maisie I’m sorry.’

‘No fuckin’ way!’ Dave screamed at his friend.

‘Just do it, Dave.’

‘No.’ Dave was crying again. ‘No, I won’t. I’ll tell her you said she could fuck herself. That’s what I’ll say because if you jump now that’s what you’re doing. You’re saying yis can all go and fuck yourselves and it’s not right – it’s not right at all.’

Rave looked at him. Finally he had Rave’s attention and he was determined not to mess up.