‘It just suits you better that way, doesn’t it? It’s a numbers game, and here’s another win for you lot. Never mind that there are still so many losers left out there. You’re locking up all the wrong people!’

‘Rachel was an adult for almost the entire duration of—’

‘Almost.’ I pinch at the scratches round my wrist, make them bleed again. ‘That’s the point, isn’t it. That’s where your numbers game gets inconvenient. She wasn’t sixteen when it all started…’

I trail off as Kayleigh’s photos disappear under a booklet. Like two years make a difference. None of this adds up. And numbers always do, even if you don’t want them to. I know that better than any of these grown-ups, who may as well be a thousand years older than both of us.

‘Wait … Can I keep one of those? Please?’

‘Of course,’ the policewoman says. ‘They’re for you.’

I shove her papers back towards her as I reach for the pictures.

‘When do I get to see her again?’ I trace the outline of her hair with a fingertip. ‘I just want to see her once more before I disappear…’

‘All in good time,’ she says. ‘We’re protecting you both, Carly. We know what we’re doing, you have to trust us on this one.’

I snort, fumbling with my precious photos, too late for a tear that’s already warped a corner.

‘Perhaps we can talk Carly through the next steps?’ Julie says. ‘That’s why we’re here today, isn’t it? To go through her witness protection? Unless I’ve misunderstood.’

‘Quite the stickler, aren’t you?’ the policewoman snaps at her.

I look at the floor, lose myself in the pictures I’ve found in all its cracks. There’s Jesus on the cross, a clump of scratches on a tile at two o’clock. A cluster, like a perfect star, at eight o’clock. A whole chunk, a wonky triangle, is missing in action near eleven. And suddenly a booklet, thick and heavy on the table, unfamiliar 164words blocking out my star. Me-mor-an-dum? The letters disappear as she flips it open to lists, lists and more lists.

‘As you can imagine, there’s quite the pile of paperwork involved in a protection plan of this scale.’ Her fingers drum on the lists in front of me. ‘We need to make sure you get the new start you deserve. But we’re almost there, Carly. Almost there. All I need for now is your signature, and—’

‘Don’t I get to read it?’ I cut her off. ‘I’ve never seen that booklet before. You’re changing my name, changing my life, changing everything I’ve ever known…’