‘What about something from the bakers?’ I said instead. Hot sausage rolls or Cornish pasties followed by carrot cake made my stomach growl appreciatively.

‘Okay, good idea. And if you aren’t planning on being a hermit tonight perhaps we could order a pizza and watch a movie. I’ve got a night off. What do you reckon?’

I hesitated, hoping Ben didn’t assume this was leading to something. We’d been living together for around two years but had never hung out before. This was new territory for both of us.

‘Sure. Thanks for being a good mate.’ I cringed as the last word left my lips, but Ben didn’t seem to notice, or if he did, he didn’t take any offence.

‘Well, if anything happens to you, I have nowhere to live so got to keep you alive at least!’ he said, bumping his shoulder into mine. I tried my best not to flinch.

On the way back, we took a detour to visit the bakery. Clutching our spoils, we approached Blackwater Lane on our left, which was where the other entrance to the park was. The one I never made it to. My whole body tensed when the road came into view and a wave of nausea washed over me. I couldn’t see the entrance to the park, but knowing it was there was enough. Facing forward, I marched on, speeding up until out of the corner of my eye, a glimpse of yellow caught my attention.

I stopped dead in my tracks, staring. There was a bright yellow rectangular police sign on the entrance to Blackwater Lane.

INCIDENT HERE printed in black letters and scrawled underneath in black marker.

INDECENT ASSAULT

Grove Park 24/09/2017 @ 8:30 a.m.

Witnesses please contact Crimestoppers

0800 555 111

Ben prised my fingers from his arm, tiny half-moon indentations left on his skin. He sensed my distress and carried on walking, propelling me forward.

I couldn’t tear my eyes away, a cold sweat developed in the small of my back. I was mortified. As though the sign had announced my name. We hurried back to the refuge of the flat. I’d had enough fresh air for one day.