Ed had to suppress a snort of laughter. Poor old Macca. He was walking into a trap. He wasn’t the brightest kid on the chopping block. Brooke was way out of his league. He was a dick, but did he deserve what was going to happen?

Probably.

They came to the junction with the M25, the big motorway that ringed London. Ed glanced at the mil-ometer – nineteen miles gone. He had some idea now just how far twenty miles was. He’d had it in his head that you could walk it in a day. But the thought of walking all this way from the museum was nuts. It would take forever.

Next turn-off, though, they’d leave the motorway, start their search for some local settlements.

‘That was the main reason I came along on this thing.’ Brooke was pressing on. ‘As soon as I saw you turn up with Ed the other day, I thought, well …’

Ed had to hand it to Brooke. She was a pretty good actress.

‘It’s been quite lonely at the museum. You’ve seen what the guys are like there.’

‘Nerds and gays,’ said Macca.

‘Exactly.’

‘Is only …’ Macca was walking blindly into it. ‘I thought you liked Ed. I thought you two had a thing going on.’

‘Ed? You’re joking. God, no.’

Ed tried to hide his smile. Hoping Macca couldn’t see him. Was he the only person who didn’t know what was going on?

‘Cool,’ said Macca. ‘You know all that stuff I was coming out with? I was just mucking about. Playing with you. That’s how I show I like someone.’

‘Really?’

‘Truly. I mean, you’re not ugly and that.’

‘Do you think I’m pretty?’

‘Well, you know … You’re not ugly.’

‘Guys,’ said Trio quietly. ‘I’ve got a funny feeling.’

But everyone was too caught up in Brooke’s game to pay her any attention.

‘You’re pretty buff yourself, Macca,’ she said, sounding horribly sincere.

Ed was wondering how long Brooke was going to keep this up before she dealt him the killer blow. She was obviously enjoying it too much to stop now. It was cruel really. Macca had no defences against this kind of thing. He needed to be taught a lesson, though; he’d gone too far with Brooke.

Ed kept his head down, pretending to study the map, enjoying the show. Waiting for the drop.

‘Seriously,’ said Trio. ‘We need to stop the car.’

‘What’s up?’ Ed asked, looking back at her, and then he heard Lewis swear and felt the car slowing.

‘What?’ Ed faced front. Lewis didn’t need to answer. The road ahead was thick with sickos. They filled it from left to right and were stumbling along towards them. Lewis brought the car to a stop.

‘What you want me to do?’ he asked, his voice quiet and sleepy, unconcerned, bored even. Like he’d just woken up.