Harmony had never looked at getting anything for herself. She hadn’t had an infection since she was five, didn’t know what earache was, couldn’t understand the naturalists who insisted every year on getting hay fever “because nature knows best” or some such. The evidence was overwhelming, and healthcare companies like Fullife regularly ran ads to remind its current and potential clientele just what awaited them should they ever stop paying for their nanos.

This is gastroenteritis. The patient, as she vomits, is unable to prevent her bowels opening simultaneously. Her liquefied faeces carry the virus, which will infect anyone who comes to her assistance.

On the screen, a woman, face wracked with pain, leaned over the toilet, brilliant yellow-orange puke tumbling out of her mouth, thin white acid from her nose, while on the floor brown sludge seeped outwards, dribbling down between her thighs.

As the nodules grow on the eardrum, hearing begins to become muddy and impaired, with certain frequencies vanishing completely until finally she understands – too late – how far the infection has gone as yellow pus begins to seep into the hollow of her ear . . .

The day that Jarek blocked her on Facebook, Harmony opened up the nano control centre on her phone, and scrolled to in-app purchases.

The list of upgrades that Fullife offered seemed endless. Before, that had been off-putting, too much to think about.

Ever wanted perfect skin?

Worried about pregnancy?

Thicker hair?

White teeth!

Pancreatic support for those sugary treats . . .

Never worry about your waistline again!

The perfect boost for your marathon training . . .

She found what she was looking for under sexual health.

Take Control – your body, your choice. Never feel anxiety about unwanted pregnancy or sexually transmitted diseases again. With Take Control, you can make your choices for your body and your lifestyle. This month with 10% discount on period control when you buy anything from the “My Body, My Choice” range – never menstruate on holiday again! In the event of vaginal bleeding or discharge from the nipples lasting for more than 3 days, please contact your healthcare provider.

The upgrade was £17.99 a month for the initial twelve-month contract, rising to £35 a month at the end of the introductory period, valid for new customers only. She sat down with a calculator. £17.99 was only four fewer drinks a month, and she didn’t even like getting shit-faced anyway. She’d just have to be careful, balance these things up. It would be worth it.

This is Harmony Meads, aged nineteen, making a choice about her body, her life, not because of some bloke who was all into his upgrades, some jackass who just assumed everyone was like him and didn’t need a condom – not that he’d bothered to invest in any upgrades for his testicles, she mused – but because at the end of the day, she wanted to be in control.

She hit “buy”.

That was the beginning.