They sat at the counter in Eddie Rocket’s, Corinne lazily flicking through the little jukebox on the countertop. Beth nibbled her veggie falafel. She didn’t like beetroot. Even slathered in Eddie’s Secret Sauce, it still tasted like dirt. But she had grown used to submitting to Corinne’s choices, deferring to her friend on decisions about clothes and food as well as other things. Beth wondered now, as the earthy taste filled her mouth, how she would manage on her own without Corinne’s guidance.

It was their last night together and already Beth felt the loss. A glimpse of impending grief had settled on her mind’s eye, and perhaps it had on Corinne’s as well, for she was quiet that evening, unusually pensive as she picked at her fries, her face resting on her hand.

‘You’re sure you don’t mind about the party?’ Beth said.

Corinne arched an eyebrow. ‘You have asked me this maybe twenty times already.’

‘I know. Sorry. I just hope you’re not feeling like you’re missing out.’

‘What are you going to do about her?’ Corinne asked, lifting her face from her hand.

‘Who?’

‘Sasha. She treats you like shit. You can’t let her keep doing that.’

‘I know.’ She pushed a nacho into her mouth unhappily. ‘But what can I do?’

Corinne shrugged. ‘You could kill her.’

She picked up the little knife by her plate, made a quick stabbing gesture. Instantly, Beth thought of her mother preparing roast lamb for Sunday lunch. She had a fleeting image of Sasha trussed like a joint of meat, her fake-tanned skin bristling with rosemary needles.

‘You know I’m kidding, right?’ Corinne laughed.

‘Sure.’

‘But there are things you can do. Things to make her feel uncomfortable, to feel scared,’ Corinne said casually.

But Beth dreaded the idea of confrontation, especially with Sasha, who commanded such power – her ready confidence, the crowd of fawning sycophants that trailed around in her wake.

‘There was a teacher in school who was mean to me,’ Corinne went on. ‘Teasing me about my hair, shit like that. So I started a rumour that he liked some of the girls in our class but in a sexy way, you know?’

‘What happened?’

‘He left.’

‘He was fired?’

‘No, but it didn’t matter. Once people start to think something about you, it’s hard to make them change their minds.’

‘But didn’t they know it was you?’

Corinne rolled her eyes and giggled. ‘I was careful.’

‘It sounds complicated.’

‘Not really. With the internet and a smartphone, you can do anything.’ She nudged Beth with her elbow, adding kindly: ‘Don’t worry. I will show you.’

But when? Beth wondered.