She took a long draw on the cigarette before pressing it forcefully into the ashtray to extinguish it. ‘You’ll need a top coat on that or it’ll ruin. Give me your hand.’ She selected another bottle from her bag and held my hand tightly as she added a coat of clear varnish to each of my newly coral nails.

‘God. Leave the poor girl alone, Eleanor.’

I turned to see Edie walking towards us.

‘Why? We’re both happy, aren’t we, Tamsyn? And it’s nice to have someone who’ll actually let me do her nails.’ She smiled at me and I thought I might explode with ecstasy. ‘Anyway, it’s a tragedy to see someone so beautiful not making the most of herself.’ Eleanor stared pointedly at Edie who rolled her eyes. ‘If Tamsyn spent a bit of time on herself she could be a real hit with the chaps. We could even take her up to London and show her off a bit.’

London? With the Davenports? The thought of it was both thrilling and terrifying. I’d never stepped a foot further out than Truro. London was like another country with its golden pavements, towering office blocks, and punks in Sid Vicious T-shirts loitering on every corner.

‘I’m sure now you’ve done her nails,’ said Edie, her words tinged with a diamond edge, ‘she’ll finally get to go all the way with Kevin Chambers.’

My insides turned to ice. Edie glanced at me mischievously as shame thumped me in the stomach. Why would she do that? Why would she tell her mother about Kevin? I lowered my eyes, unable to conceal my dismay.

‘Kevin Chambers?’ Eleanor gave a small trill of laughter. ‘Well, what a très lucky garçon the young man is.’

I cringed as I recalled how Kevin had pushed away from me to return to his group of smirking friends. How, frozen with horror, I’d watched from the darkened corner of the hall as he held his fingers beneath their noses, watched them grimace in unison then recoil laughing. The feeling of wanting to die of shame was still as vivid as it had been then. I should never have let him touch me like that. I should never have been so foolish as to think he actually fancied me. How pathetic to be so desperate to be liked.

‘We’re not together. It’s not like—’

Edie groaned. ‘Who cares? Come on, let’s go up to my room.’

I didn’t follow her. I felt inexplicably hurt by her telling her mother about Kevin. I’d told her about him in confidence. Her betrayal skewered me and I wished more than anything I’d never told her about him. ‘Er, Tamsyn? Are you coming then?’ She snapped suddenly. ‘God, don’t look so wounded. Eleanor doesn’t care. Seriously.’