Alexa and Ellen both stared at him over their shoulders; Ellen resisted the urge to roll her eyes. He stood, silhouetted in the sunlight from the skylight, a grin playing with the corners of his mouth.

‘What’s so funny?’ Jack called out again.

‘Yes, do share.’ Ben walked towards them, arms crossed, eyebrows raised in challenge.

Alexa looked delighted to have him back.

‘What’s going on over here?’

‘We were just discussing where I could go for a piss, honestly, Ben,’ Ellen offered, evenly. ‘Any ideas?’

‘Gross,’ Jack said quietly, wrinkling his nose, and turning back to his post at the skylight.

Ellen made a face at his back. Ben, meanwhile, smirked, settling himself back on the floor beside Alexa, stretched out, thighs almost touching. He was, Ellen could already tell from the glint in his eyes, a worthy opponent.

‘Skylight?’ he shrugged. ‘That’s what I’ll do when the time comes.’

‘I’m not sure you’re strong enough to lift me,’ Ellen replied. ‘I’m afraid I might have to try that box.’ She pointed at the perspex container of Elias’s DVDs.

Ben shrugged again. ‘As long as you leave it out of sight. And smell.’

‘Well, obviously.’

‘Off you go then, El.’ Alexa said. She was emboldened now, perhaps by Ben’s proximity to her thigh. She was playing up for him. It was entertaining to see Alexa act so coquettishly.

Ellen nodded grimly.

‘Do you want us to make a noise while you do it?’ Jack asked, turning round again. He looked stricken.

‘Yes,’ Ellen said, after a moment’s contemplation. ‘I would.’

They were all watching her expectantly. Ellen picked up the box and tipped out the DVDs, in a flourish, in front of the door. Even at a distance, Jack winced as the cascade of plastic boxes landed in a rough pile. Ellen could feel them all watching as she cast her gaze around the room, trying to work out which was the most private spot. There was a full-length mirror standing in one of the corners near the skylight, which she reckoned could function as a screen. It was far from an ideal set-up.

They were still watching her.

She affected bravado. ‘Talk among yourselves,’ she demanded. Then, more quietly, she added, ‘Please.’

Jack sounded a rusty note with his throat.

Gritting her teeth, and trying not to think about how close he would be, she started clambering through the tangle of boxes and dismembered appliances towards the standing mirror. As she approached, she glanced around the room one last time. Jack had dutifully stuck his head back out of the skylight now. Meanwhile, Ben was muttering something into Alexa’s ear.

‘Guys!’

They all looked at her again.

‘Remember to make some noise.’

6. Alexa