Alice looks perfect. She’s wearing a pair of white capri pants, a pink cropped T-shirt, and her sister’s denim jacket with embroidered flowers on the sleeve. I can’t believe Catherine’s letting her wear it. I’m wearing capri pants, too, but mine don’t look as good as Alice’s. They’re black and baggier in the leg and my white calves look too fat. I was so happy when I tried them on in Topshop, but as soon as I got them home, I knew they were a mistake. I should have worn my jeans. Too late now.

Catherine is standing in the hallway when we go downstairs. She makes a little adjustment to Alice’s hair and tells her she looks fab. Then she makes her promise to be home by nine thirty at the latest and not to take any shortcuts. Much as I’d have liked an older sister, I wouldn’t want one as bossy as Catherine. I don’t know how Alice can stand it, but Alice just rolls her eyes and opens the front door.

Catherine taps me on the shoulder as I’m about to follow Alice outside. “New trousers, Lizzie?” she says.

I look at her in surprise. She hardly ever says a word to me. She normally looks down her nose at me, as if I’m something the cat’s dragged in.

“Yes, I bought them from Topshop.”

Catherine smiles and I wonder if she’s finally decided to stop being such a bitch. “Well, as long as you’ve kept the receipt, I’m sure you’ll be able to change them for a pair that actually fits.”

So, that’ll be a no, then.

—

When we arrive, it’s already filling up. Dave Farley and some of the other boys are standing in huddles on the edge of the hall, swigging Coke from cans and messing around on their phones. One of the youth-club leaders is busy pulling down the blackout blinds against the evening sun and there’s a line of girls waiting to put their requests in to the DJ—Melissa and Bethany and a cluster of other girls in crop tops and denim miniskirts, or black leggings so thin they look like tights. Melissa and Bethany are moving their bodies and sticking out their bottoms in time to Rihanna’s “Umbrella.” They’ve straightened their fringes and curled the ends of their hair.