It’s OK, she said, and hunched her shoulders over. I don’t take up much space.

His mum looked up from the boot, where she was stuffing boxes of quick-cook pasta into every available crevice.

Lindsey, she said slowly. I think it’s better for Matt to be able to focus on getting settled. And you had a chance to say goodbye last night.

Lindsey looked at Matt. What do you think? she said.

He’d said the only thing he could. He didn’t want a shouting match outside the house, after all.

I’d love you to come.

She smiled, and clambered into the car, making a space for herself in the middle seat, pillows and duvets spilling around her.

The drive had seemed to last an age. Lindsey stared ahead; his parents maintained a stony silence. He just sat there, wishing it was all over.

At least now they were there, and he was closer to the end of this. He walked over to his parents. ‘There’s someone called Carla over there. She’s going to show me to the room. I’ll be back in a sec.’

As he approached the students they all smiled at him. ‘Hi,’ he said, looking at them in turn and feeling like he was going to die of shame. ‘Carla?’

A tall girl wearing grey sweatpants and a rugby shirt smiled at him. ‘That’s me.’ She had a strong Liverpool accent. ‘What’s your name?’

‘Matt.’ He looked at the envelope. ‘I’m in Chamberlain Hall. Room 418.’

‘All right,’ she said. ‘Come with me.’

They walked by a small lake towards a large, grey building.

‘That’s Chamberlain,’ Carla said. ‘I lived in Shackleton my first year.’

She was on his left; Lindsey was on his right, holding his hand. His parents were behind them.

‘What year are you now?’

‘Third. I’m doing English. What about you?’

‘Law.’

‘Cool.’ She turned to Lindsey. ‘Are you a student?’

Lindsey waited a long time before answering. ‘Not here.’

Carla’s eyes flickered to his, her forehead creasing in a slight frown. ‘Which uni are you at?’

Lindsey gave a little shake of the head and didn’t reply.

‘Linz is still at sixth form college,’ Matt said. ‘She’s got another year to go.’

‘Oh,’ Carla said. ‘I see. Anyway, we’re nearly there. We can go in this door.’

They walked into an entrance hall. There were posters on the wall and a row of small letter boxes.

‘For the post,’ Carla said. She nodded towards a set of stairs. ‘You’re on the fourth floor.’ She looked at Lindsey. ‘I’ll leave you to it. It’s easy enough to find.’

There was an edge to her tone. Matt made eye contact with her. ‘Thanks,’ he said. ‘For bringing us over here. I really appreciate it.’

She smiled. ‘No problem. See you around.’