With the vodka and pineapple going down nicely, the girls talked excitedly about the night ahead. This rave lark was new to all of them and they couldn’t wait to try the experience.

‘Do you think we’re dressed right?’ Demi asked.

Frankie shrugged. ‘Dunno. Joey’s mate, Dom, said he’s been to one up his way. He said it’s casual, everyone wears jeans and trainers and stuff.’

Joey smiled as Dominic bent over to pick some money up he’d dropped. He only had to look at the muscles in Dominic’s buttocks to experience a feeling of butterflies. ‘So, did you book the hotel?’ he asked him.

Dominic nodded. ‘There’s nothing decent around here, so I got us into a little B&B. There’s no bar, but I dropped me stuff off there and stocked the room up with drink. I booked two rooms, one for us and one for your sister and her mates. I asked for single beds, obviously. Don’t worry, it won’t look suspicious.’

Joey smiled. He had been on double vodkas and already felt merry. ‘Fuck it – come to me family barbie tomorrow. I’ll get Frankie to invite her mates as well. If there’s a crowd of us there, no one will bat an eyelid.’

Dominic was unsure. Joey’s father sounded a bit too heavy for his liking. ‘I dunno, say someone says something, Joey?’

Checking none of the girls were watching, Joey squeezed Dominic’s hand. ‘There’s only me, you, and Frankie that knows. No one’s gonna say anything. Come on, please say yes.’

Unable to say no to the beautiful blond boy who had knocked him for six, Dominic nodded his head.

The Berwick Manor was set in the country lanes in the middle of nowhere. It didn’t look like a nightclub, more like a massive country home.

‘Weird-looking, ain’t it?’ Frankie said, as she climbed out of the taxi.

‘Frankie, you’ve left your phone under the seat,’ her brother shouted.

Frankie hated taking out a handbag – she felt like a right girlie – so had shoved her phone and fags into a carrier bag. The phone weighed a bloody ton and was a poxy nuisance to lug around, especially if she wanted to dance later on. She snatched at the carrier bag. ‘Look after it for me Joey, please?’ she pleaded.

Dominic laughed. He liked Joey’s sister, she was a top girl. ‘’Ere, give it to me. I’ll keep it safe for you,’ he told her.

Frankie smiled. ‘If he weren’t queer, I’d have gone for him meself,’ she whispered to Joey.

‘Shut up,’ Joey said, as he pushed her towards the entrance.