‘Say something,’ Carly screamed in her head. ‘Make me understand why I was the one to be sacrificed.’ But Marie was already clicking open the door. The wind blustered inside the car, coating Carly’s cheeks with rain. Carly didn’t care about the weather. Her cheeks were already wet with tears. Marie crossed her arms over her chest and hurried over the road.

From out of the alley stepped a man. He gripped Marie’s chin with his thumb and forefinger before spitting on the pavement beside her. The rain plastered Marie’s hair to her scalp, her thin jacket soaked through. Carly watched as Marie plucked notes from the bundle Carly had given her. He counted them with one hand, the other he thrust between Marie’s legs, laughing as she flinched and backed away. He held out a small parcel and she snatched it before backing off again. He followed her further down the street.

Carly looked around, wondering if anyone would help Marie, but the man’s eyes flickered upwards and Carly saw he’d glanced at the CCTV camera. They continued talking but this time he kept his distance. Carly couldn’t bear to watch any more. Marie had made her choice just as Carly had made hers. She shifted the car into first gear and pulled away. In her rear-view mirror she saw the man hold out something to Marie who snatched it and put it in her pocket before walking away. Carly braked. Her fingers drumming on the steering wheel. If she reverses it would never end. She would never break free. Marie was a mess. They all were a mess.

Family.

Except they weren’t now. Not really. They had made their choice to single out Carly. Her parents. Her sisters.

Marie raised her arm at a passing cab. Carly took comfort that she was off the streets at least.

She released the handbrake and drove away but as she was passing a lay-by she pulled in, rested her forehead on the steering wheel and wept.

By the time Carly arrived home, anger was again her overriding emotion. She picked up the phone and, pacing the lounge, she called the only person who could make her feel better.

‘Hello.’

‘Mum’ was all she could say before she was crying again. One word. Three letters that should mean so many things – love, protection, stability, strength – and it didn’t mean any of them.

‘Carly? What’s wrong?’ There was concern in her mum’s voice but this only made Carly cry harder.

She wiped her nose with her sleeve and tried to stem her tears. ‘Marie has told me.’

‘Told you what?’

‘Everything.’

There’s a pause. The sound of her mum’s breath coming faster. ‘It’s not true,’ she said at last.

‘So you know what I’m talking about?’ Carly slumped onto her sofa.

‘What? No, of course not. Just… just that Marie drinks too much and whatever she’s told you is probably a lie. What did she say?’

‘You knew,’ Carly said softly.