When I’d imagined what it would be like to have a brother, I’d pictured someone almost exactly like Jesse. He would make me feel protected and safe, as well as being someone to talk to and tell my secrets to. I feel a pang of resentment at Dad for taking all that away from me and then I feel guilty and sad.

‘Better get back before Mum notices we’ve gone,’ Jesse says suddenly, breaking my train of thought and tugging at my hand. ‘We’ll go back in the way we came out.’

34

August 2013

Catford

‘That’s her!’ someone calls as we approach the passage at the back of the house; a man next to them lifts his camera and a flash goes off in my face.

‘Anna! How does it feel to be home? Where have you been?’ the man shouts.

‘Oh shit,’ Jesse says, grabbing my hand and pulling me after him as he tries to open the gate. ‘Fuck – it’s locked. Come on, run!’ The reporters chase after us as we run back around to the front of the house where there’s a whole load more who start baying ‘Anna! Anna! Over here!’ as they thrust tape recorders, microphones and cameras in my face. So much for them having gone home, or not being allowed to use pictures of me – there seem to be more of them than ever. ‘Where have you been, Anna! Who took you?’

‘Get out of our way!’ Jesse bellows, pushing through the gate, dragging me after him. ‘And don’t even think about coming beyond this gate or we’ll call the police!’

‘How does it feel to have your sister back, Jesse?’ one of them calls as he shoves his key in the lock, pushes open the door and drags me through it, slamming it behind us.

‘Where have you been?!’ Karen shrieks the instant the door bangs, running out of the kitchen. ‘Why didn’t you answer your phone? I’ve been worried sick!’

Her face is tear-stained and there’s a wild look in her eyes.

‘Sorry,’ Jesse mutters, running his hands through his hair, ‘battery’s dead. Why did you lock the back gate?’ he snaps.

‘I didn’t want the reporters to use it! How many times have I told you …’ Karen yells, but Jesse interrupts, shouting back: ‘Mum, leave it, please! We’re back, it’s fine. No harm done. Forget it. Get off my case!’ He turns and punches the wall, so hard I think I hear a crack.

‘Fuck!’ he shouts, following up with a kick to the wall which makes me flinch. He stomps up the stairs, shaking his hand at his side as he goes and then slamming his bedroom door behind him. I am shocked. I’ve never seen him like that before. Karen pats my shoulder nervously.