Once again Lance said something Ben didn’t hear. He pressed himself closer to the gap in the door, and one of the hinges gave a creak. For a second nobody spoke, and Ben was worried the others had realised he was listening in. But then he heard Lance’s voice carrying through the darkness. He spoke more softly than he had before, but somehow his words seemed more urgent.

‘You know there’s more to it than you think, don’t you?’

Ben felt himself frown.

‘Melissa? Did you hear what I said?’

‘Of course I heard,’ Melissa snapped. ‘And of course there’s more to it. You know how it turned out last time. There has to be more.’

‘And you’re not worried about it? You’re not worried about what?’

When Melissa spoke again, it sounded as though she’d turned away. ‘I trust him,’ she said.

Lance gave a mirthless laugh. ‘Seriously?’ he said. ‘You trust him? Knowing what he’s capable of?’

Melissa didn’t respond.

‘How’s the wrist, by the way?’ Lance said, his voice taking on a crueller edge.

‘What are you talking about?’ Melissa replied, and even Ben could tell she was stalling. He imagined her pulling her sleeve down towards her hand.

‘Your wrist. I saw the mark. Did Callum give you that?’

‘Don’t be ridiculous. I got it … playing hockey.’

‘You’re lying. I know he hurts you. I’ve seen the bruises before. Make-up only covers up so much.’

‘He doesn’t hurt me. He loves me! And don’t think I don’t know what you’re trying to do.’

‘What am I doing, Melissa?’ Lance said. ‘Tell me.’

‘You’re trying to split us up. You’re jealous. Don’t think it isn’t obvious to me and Callum how you really feel about him. You fancy him. And you resent me for getting in the way.’

There was another silence. Ben pictured Lance scowling, and Melissa glaring right back. In the meantime he was trying to process everything he’d just heard. Melissa’s wrist. Lance fancying Callum. There’s more to it than you think …

‘You do realise this is exactly what he wants, don’t you?’ Lance said. ‘Us arguing. Bickering with each other. It’s how he operates.’

‘You’re the one who’s standing there arguing,’ Melissa shot back. ‘Take some fucking responsibility for once!’

‘But that’s just it! Callum doesn’t have to take responsibility. He can get away with anything. He always has. It’s not the same for people like us. That’s the other reason he wants us involved.’

‘So what are you saying? You want to back out?’

‘No, I—’

‘Because you’d better not, Lance. I’m telling you now. You’d better not even think about it.’

‘Or what?’ Lance replied. ‘You’ll tell Callum? I’m not afraid of him, you know.’