I remain where I am, curled up on my side on the floor. At some point, someone must have left me a blanket, which I’ve pulled around my shoulders, but it’s sodden and uncomfortable. I push it back and cover my eyes with my hand as light floods the hut. Someone has opened the door.

“SIT UP!”

The light disappears as a female shape steps into the hut, blocking the doorway.

“Jesus,” another voice says. “It fucking stinks in here. Fucking Isaac; he should do his own dirty work.”

I try to push myself up with my arms but they buckle beneath me as I blink up at the woman. She crouches beside me. A scarf is covering her nose and mouth but I recognise her eyes. “Cera? What’s going on?”

She shakes her head and hooks a hand under my armpit. “You need to stand up, Emma. You need to take a shower and get changed.”

“What day is it? How long have I been in here?”

“Emma.” There is a warning tone to Cera’s voice. “You need to stop asking questions and do what you’re told. Do you understand?”

I nod, looking beyond her now, transfixed by the tree outside the hut, bending and swaying in the wind.

“Isis!” Cera shouts. “I’m going to need a hand.”

Isis appears from nowhere, darting into the hut with a bundle of cloth in her arms. She looks me up and down and sighs.

“Put your arms up, Emma.”

I do as I am told and a soft cotton dress is pulled over my head. When she lets go, the hem drifts to the floor and tickles my ankles.

“Step into these.” She crouches down and holds out some knickers, and I obey.

“Flip-flops.” She reaches into a cloth bag slung diagonally across her body and pulls out some sandals. I slip them on. I feel like I’m a doll, being dressed by a rough-handed young girl.

Isis looks at Cera, who shrugs her shoulders. “That’ll have to do until we get her down to the waterfall for a wash.”

“Right, Emma.” Cera takes me by the shoulders and turns me to face her. “We’re going to take you down to the waterfall so you can have a wash. Then we’ll have a little picnic so you can get a bit of food and water in you” – she glances at the bucket and screws up her nose – “then we’ll take you back up to the house.”

“Where’s Isaac?”

The women exchange a look and laugh.

“Busy,” Cera says.

Isis puts my arm over her shoulder and nods to Cera to do the same.

“Can you walk?” she asks. “Try to take a few steps.”

I take a step forwards, towards the light and air outside. My legs wobble but I take another step.