‘Is this … is this really necessary, do you think?’

After what had happened with Callum, Ben didn’t want to be the one to raise any objections, but as he waited he found he couldn’t help himself.

The others turned.

‘It’s just … I mean … don’t you think it’s a bit … dangerous?’

Lance gave a snort. It was barely audible, but Ben heard it clearly enough. He focused on Callum.

‘All I’m saying is, we’ve got the book now. The one I asked Father Steiner to sign? That’s got to count for something, right?’

When Ben had brought the book to Callum just over a week ago, it had been as though their argument in the library had never happened. Callum had been delighted, smiling down at the inscription with something like greed.

‘And the other thing is, everybody’s seen me,’ Ben went on. ‘Isaac in particular sees me in the chapel all the time. So … so that’s enough. Isn’t it? If I just keep doing what I’ve been doing. That’s got to be enough.’

‘I told you,’ said Lance, before Callum could respond. ‘I told you he wouldn’t go through with it.’

Ben looked at Lance, and this time there was a definite sneer.

‘Seriously, Cal,’ Lance went on. ‘Let me do it. I knew I should have done it from the start. He’s just going to mess everything up.’

‘No!’ Ben protested. ‘I didn’t say I wouldn’t do it! I was just … just asking, that’s all. Just …’

‘The book’s not enough, Ben,’ said Callum. His tone was reasonable, almost gentle. The way a parent would speak. A proper parent. ‘You know it’s not going to be enough.’

Ben dropped his head. ‘No,’ he agreed. ‘No, of course not.’

‘But there’s no danger,’ Callum insisted. ‘You’re the victim here, remember?’

Something about the way Callum said the word caused Ben to look up.

‘Would it help if we left you and Melissa alone?’ Callum said. ‘Just the two of you. So you can … get on with things.’

Now Ben swallowed. He wasn’t sure if being left alone with Melissa would make things better, or worse.

Callum picked up his blazer from where he’d tossed it on the chair beside Melissa’s bed. ‘Come on,’ he said to Lance. ‘Let’s leave the artists to their work.’ He winked at Ben, and steered Lance towards the door. Lance resisted for a moment, then snatched up his own blazer. He threw one last scowl Ben’s way before trailing Callum from the room.

‘Don’t mind him,’ Melissa said to Ben, when the two of them were alone. ‘He’s just jealous.’

‘Jealous? Of what?’