Rave filled the bag and put it down. ‘Much better. Any food lying around?’

‘What?’ Jeremy asked.

‘Biscuits, leftovers – you know, food!’

‘Your da not feeding you again?’ Jeremy asked.

‘Nah, I take care of meself. Come on, get some grub, and later, when the others go off home, I want to show you something.’

‘Jesus, Rave, I promised me ma I’d watch the girls.’

‘Don’t call your granny a girl.’

‘Why?’

‘It’s creepy.’

‘Sorry.’

‘Just come on, man, will ya? Don’t let me down.’

Jeremy was caught between a rock and a hard place. His ma needed him to do the right thing, but Grammy and Valerie would be fine until after midnight, and, although his friend would never admit it, Rave needed him more. What can go wrong?

‘I could make up a few sandwiches to go with some biscuits, and me ma’s just done a shop so I can throw in a few bars of chocolate.’

‘Nice one.’ Rave grinned. ‘I love you, man, you’re a rock star, Beany.’

Jeremy laughed. Suddenly he was wide awake and his previously dreary night seemed filled with possibility.

‘And hurry up! The girls are waiting in the park.’

He was on his way back from the kitchen when he heard Valerie calling him. Crap. He rested the schoolbag by her door, carefully so that the bottles didn’t clink, and opened it just a crack. ‘Hey, Shortstuff.’

Valerie was sleepy. ‘Is she gone?’

‘Yeah.’

‘She thinks I’m like him. That’s why she hates me, isn’t it?’

His heart sank. He walked into her room and closed the door behind him, taking a seat on the floor next to her bed. ‘You’re not like him, Valerie. You could never be like him, not in a million years.’

‘So why does she hate me?’

‘She doesn’t, ya mad lunatic. She loves you.’

‘You don’t bleedin’ starve the people you love,’ Valerie said, and Jeremy laughed.

‘There’s a kitchen full of food out there, if you’re hungry.’

‘No, screw that, I’m on hunger strike.’

‘You know who you are just like?’

‘Who?’

‘Me ma.’

‘Jaysus, no wonder she hates me.’

‘You didn’t mean it about finding him, did ya, Valerie?’

‘No, course not.’

‘Sure?’

‘Yeah.’

‘I couldn’t face it.’

‘I know. I’m sorry.’

‘All right.’

He got back on his feet, walked over to the door and was just about to open it when he heard his sister say something very quietly behind him. ‘Wish I was a bit more like you, Jeremy. Then life would be so much easier for all of us.’

‘Don’t say that. Don’t ever wish to be like me.’

‘What’s wrong with you?’

‘Nothing,’ he snapped.

‘I know you. Spit it out.’

‘Just leave it!’ he shouted.