‘Then everyone will have to help him out!’ Becky went to Karin and hissed in her ear. ‘I will never forgive you for this. I never want to see you again, do you hear me – ever!’

‘Please.’ Karin’s mind whirled. ‘Let me explain. Let me, let me… let me.’

She tried to grab her friend’s hand, but Becky shook her off angrily.

‘Everyone come here,’ she whispered, examining the keys. ‘I think this one is for this door and there’s another one, which looks like it’s for the front door upstairs. But we’re not going to have much time. If none of them work upstairs, we’ll have to break a window. Michelle, you go first and open the door upstairs. Paul and Lydia, make sure Simon gets out. I’ll be right behind you.’

Michelle nodded and slipped the key into the keyhole. The door unlocked with a soft click, and swung open. They all stared up the dark steps for a moment and then Michelle ran up. Paul and Lydia, lifting Simon between them, followed her out.

Karin and Becky were left alone in the cellar. ‘Bex, please let me—’

But Becky pushed her towards the door.

‘Go!’ There was a look of disgust on Becky’s face that made Karin’s insides clench with despair. ‘Just you wait till I tell everyone what you’ve done, you sicko!’

‘Please, I love you, you’re my friend.’

‘Not any more I’m not. I’ve had it with you! I totally hate you for this!’

Karin was in tears. ‘You’re not being fair!’

‘What kind of person would…’ Becky looked at Karin as if she were a total stranger. ‘Just go!’

Karin couldn’t believe Becky was being so unfair, so cruel and judgemental, and anger surged inside her. She went through the door—

‘Wait!’ called Becky. ‘What are you—’

—and slammed it in Becky’s face.

There was a bolt on the outside of the door and Karin slid it across, locking Becky in.

‘What are you doing?’ shouted Becky on the other side. ‘Open the door, open it!’

‘Tell me you’ll be my friend!’ Karin called, heart hammering in her chest. ‘Promise you won’t leave me!’

‘Just open it!’

‘Tell me!’ screamed Karin.

‘I’ll be your friend.’ She could hear the panic in Becky’s voice as she desperately pounded on the door with her fists. ‘I promise! Please open it!’

‘Liar!’ Karin knew they could never be friends again, Becky would hate her for ever now, and she couldn’t bear it. ‘You’re lying!’

‘I’m not!’ Becky sounded terrified. ‘Please let me out! You can’t leave me!’

‘I’m sorry,’ said Karin, crying. ‘I’ll send help, I promise!’

She ran up the stairs, ignoring Becky’s frantic shouts, and found Lydia standing at the top.

‘Where’s Becky?’

‘She’s coming, keep moving!’

Lydia peered down the darkened staircase. ‘Where is she?’