Now she stepped cautiously into the room, while Beth sat up, swiping angrily at her eyes, struggling to compose herself.

‘I’m fine,’ the girl said, not looking at Abi.

‘You’re not fine. You’re crying.’

‘I’m okay, Mum.’

‘What happened? Is it Corinne?’

‘Nothing happened.’

‘Did you hear from her?’

‘No. I keep calling her, and sending her messages, but she hasn’t replied.’

Beth shook her head, biting down on the fresh tears that instantly rose. ‘I’m really worried about her.’

‘Of course you are. It’s natural that you’re concerned for your friend, but – well, perhaps you should give her some space, hmm?’

‘I just want to help her, even if it’s just to listen. She needs me.’

‘Yes, but you have to look after yourself too. How many times this week have you been crying because of Corinne?’

‘So?’

‘It’s not healthy.’

‘I’m not made of fucking stone, Mum.’

‘Well, exactly. You’re sensitive, love, and I worry about you. Corinne will get in touch when she’s ready.’

‘It’s not that simple. I’m her friend. She needs me,’ Beth said again, a pleading insistence to her voice that worried Abi. She couldn’t help but think that Corinne did not, in fact, need Beth, but rather it was the other way around. In the weeks of Corinne’s silence, Beth appeared scattered and lost. Acne had erupted on her face and she often wore the same clothes for days at a time, hair greasy and unwashed. Her whole body screamed with need.

Abi looked at the grim constellation of spots on Beth’s cheek and chin.

‘She’s got her mother to support her,’ she said gently, but Beth’s face contorted with scorn, and she shook her head with disgust.

‘Val’s useless.’

‘That’s not true.’

‘Yes, it is! All she thinks about is herself! She doesn’t care about Corinne! She doesn’t give a shit how much she’s damaged her!’

‘Damaged her?’

‘Oh my God. She’s just … Look. There are things you don’t know. Things about Valentina and Guy.’

‘What things?’

For a moment, she saw the indecision playing across Beth’s face. But almost as quickly, it shut down. ‘I can’t tell you,’ she answered quietly, half-turning back to the desk, idly spinning her phone over the surface.

‘Why not?’

‘Because I promised Corinne.’

‘I’m not sure I like that, Beth,’ Abi remarked, sitting down on the edge of the bed. ‘We’re a family. We shouldn’t keep secrets from each other.’

‘We shouldn’t. But we do,’ Beth said, and her gaze was cool and direct. Abi found herself inwardly backing away.

Beth refused to be drawn on the subject, whatever Valentina’s sin was, which was probably nothing anyway, Abi concluded. She was well aware of Corinne’s flights of imagination, the creative licence she took with the truth.