‘So much.’ She smirked. ‘What was your name?’ She paused, for dramatic flourish. ‘I was miss_BehaviourX91. That was the hotmail address I put on my UCAS application.’

Alexa scrunched up her face. ‘Ellen, that is dreadful.’

Ellen rolled her eyes in agreement.

‘Mine was jackthelad93.’ Jack sounded solemn.

‘Standard.’ A guilty grin danced about Ben’s mouth. ‘I don’t know if I can tell you mine. It’s too embarrassing.’

‘Oh, come on,’ said Ellen. ‘Maybe I’ll remember speaking to you. Or maybe one of my friends had a long and passionate virtual relationship with you.’

He looked to Alexa, his expression like that of a child who’s been caught out in a far-fetched lie.

With effort, she affected lightness. ‘Go on – spill.’ She smiled, archly.

He returned an appraising look, one eyebrow cocked, and then turned to face Ellen and Jack.

‘OK, bear in mind I also applied to university with this name. I’m shocked they let me in.’ Another glance at Alexa. ‘Don’t judge me – I was an awkward teenager.’

‘OK, I promise I won’t judge you.’ She was pleased to be included. ‘Too harshly.’

‘OK –’ Ben started. ‘I can’t believe I’m going to admit to this.’ He cleared his throat, hamming it up. ‘Rainham_romeo1991,’ he said, slowly, dramatically. A pause. ‘In lots of ways I think it’s the underscore that’s the worst part.’

‘That is even worse than Ellen’s,’ Alexa confirmed, haughtily.

He gave her a begging look, playing up to it.

‘Wait … hang on.’ Ellen’s voice had dropped several degrees.

Alexa and Ben both turned to look at her.

She was alert, her mouth pursed. ‘You’re telling me you were rainham_romeo1991?’

‘I know.’ Ben shook his head. ‘Just dreadful, I –’

‘No,’ Ellen interrupted, louder and more distinctly this time. ‘I mean – you were rainham_romeo1991?’

This time, Alexa noticed the emphasis. Ben did too.

‘Yeah,’ he said. He sounded a little hesitant. ‘That’s what I said. Why?’

Alexa noticed that the colour had risen in Ellen’s cheekbones.

‘We used to talk on MSN,’ she said, quietly. She was staring straight at Ben, eyes slightly narrowed. After a second, she added, almost to herself. ‘Of course. Benjamin.’

‘What?’ Ben said, disbelievingly. ‘Did we?’

‘Every night.’ Ellen’s voice was subdued, but she was still focused on Ben’s face. ‘Don’t you remember?’

‘What?’ Ben laughed, uncertainly, and then stopped abruptly when he saw Ellen’s expression. He looked at Alexa for support, but she was watching Ellen closely. Her hackles had risen and her face was set.

Alexa’s thrum of foreboding ramped up several decibels.