‘Why not? We have to tell someone. It’s not right that this should go on – your parents, living together like this when they’re … you know. I mean, isn’t it illegal?’

Corinne’s secret felt too large and explosive to be contained by just the two of them.

‘If you tell your parents,’ Corinne said, ‘then we will never see each other again. Do you understand that?’

‘But—’

‘Do you think they would allow us to be friends if they knew what a freak I am?’

‘But it’s not your fault! They’d understand that. And you’re not a freak.’

‘You made a promise,’ Corinne hissed through the darkness. ‘How would you feel if I told Val and Guy yours?’

The words reached Beth and a coolness swept over her limbs. They didn’t talk about it much but now she felt her own secret in the room with them, throbbing in the darkness, so much worse than what Corinne had admitted to.

‘It is better this way. Trust me,’ Corinne whispered, her voice softer, sinuous. ‘You do trust me, don’t you, Beth?’

‘Of course I do. More than anyone.’

Corinne flopped back on to the bed, satisfied. She dropped the book on the floor and a few minutes later, Beth heard the steady sounds of her breathing through untroubled sleep.

Abi did get to speak to her, eventually. The next day, as Beth idled on the terrace, waiting for Corinne to finish in the shower, her mother gently took her by the arm and walked her down to the river.

‘I just wish you’d thought this through,’ she said, casting her eyes over Beth’s ruined hair.

Beth knew Abi was trying to keep her frustration muted, but disappointment was coming off her mother in clouds. She felt herself tense against it.

‘I did think it through. I want to look like this.’

‘How could you have wanted this? You had such lovely hair, Beth.’

‘No, I didn’t. You never said that before.’

‘Of course, I—’

‘You were always at me about it, telling me to get it out of my eyes, to tie it back and do something with it, remember?’

‘Well, you’ve certainly done that now,’ Abi remarked, tartness entering her tone. ‘I suppose this was Corinne’s idea?’

‘No!’

‘You mustn’t let her talk you into doing things you’re uncomfortable with. This business of her telling you what to wear. I’ve seen her do it. You have to stand up for yourself. Be your own person.’

‘I am—’

‘It’s time to grow up a little. Stop being so naive.’

‘For fuck’s sake, Mum …’

‘Watch your language, young lady.’

Beth stared at the river, silently fuming. For a moment, both mother and daughter were silent.