I could hardly believe it. A boy like Kit, who seemed to have everything: good looks, sporty, clever in his own way. What terrible offence had he committed?

‘For good?’

‘That’s what “expelled” usually means.’

‘Sorry.’

‘No, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to snap. It’s just that, oh, I don’t know . . .’ His legs jiggled with pent-up energy.

‘And you’ve been keeping this to yourself all this time?’

‘I thought – oh, I don’t know – that if I put it to the back of my mind and got on with other things, it would go away somehow.’ I remembered his sudden, intense focus on the plans for our protest; his almost manic energy at the birthday party and when we were playing pirates; the way he’d seemed so distracted when we were together on the island. It was all beginning to add up.

He dropped his head into his hands. ‘Oh God, I’m so miserable.’

‘But what did you do that was so terrible?’

He shook his head.

‘Tell me, Kit. I’m the best keeper of secrets in the world.’

‘It’s no good, Molly. I just can’t tell you. I’m sorry. You wouldn’t understand.’

‘Try me.’

‘You’re the ruddy vicar’s daughter, for heaven’s sake.’

‘But you know I’m not the churchy type, Kit. I won’t judge you, whatever it is you’ve done. I promise.’

He took a deep breath and sighed. He started to speak, and stopped. ‘No, I can’t tell you. It’s hopeless, Molly. Perhaps one day I’ll explain.’ He turned to me with tears in his eyes and buried his face in my shoulder. ‘Oh God, whatever am I going to do?’

I wrapped both of my arms around him, and he reciprocated. This was the physical contact I’d so longed for, but not in this way – not as his comforter.

After a short while Kit sat up and wiped his face with his hands, leaving dirty smears. ‘You must think I’m ridiculous, snivelling away like that.’

‘I suppose you’ll just have to do what your parents want you to do.’

‘But what about Eli and his hut – all of that? I’m so sorry for letting you down.’

‘Don’t worry. We need to find another way of helping him, I think.’

A distant clock began to chime and we paused, counting to eleven. ‘Cripes, is that the time already?’ he said, leaping up. ‘My parents will be back soon. Will you be all right, going up the lane in the dark?’