I sensed her phone shift – she was going to hang up. ‘June! I think I know what’s happening,’ I said, a final bluff to keep her there. It worked; the line didn’t go dead. I kept talking. ‘Just – please go off script. OK? I – after the dance I wasn’t sure, and, uh, I was talking to Leo – sorry, basically, your folder. There was a folder in my dad’s desk. Yours. And I went to look for it a few hours ago and it was gone, June.’

She was quiet for a moment. I’d have thought she had actually hung up were it not for her breathing. ‘What happened to it?’ she spat. She was interrogating me. Like this was all my fault, somehow.

I thought about lying. ‘I thought maybe you would know.’

‘I don’t. Why would I know?’

‘Because – because it’s your folder, June. Whoever broke in on New Year’s … they must have taken it. June, you can tell me – was it you? Or, like, you must know if someone would …’

A pause. ‘What are you saying?’

‘I have no idea! I don’t know. But those texts or whatever I’ve been getting – it has to do with this. Right? Just tell me that much.’

‘Listen to me. I promise, you don’t know what you’re talking about.’

‘Then tell me! Tell me what I’m talking about. You’re right, I don’t know, but I feel like I’m at least owed – I don’t know, June. I care about you so much,’ I said. It felt like an admission. ‘I do. OK? And I’ve been scared about this for … for months. Really fucking scared. About everything. I’ve been scared for me, and for you, and for what it could’ve meant about Dad, if something happened …’

I sensed June stiffen.

‘June?’

‘I have to go.’

‘Oh my God, please. Please. I’m begging you not to go right now. Please.’

Silence.

She was gone.

I debated calling again, texting again, but I knew that was it. That was my chance and I’d completely spoiled it. Now she was gone for certain.

Her and everyone else.

My trick no longer worked, the floodgates were completely, disgustingly open, and I had no other choice but to feel, feel, feel.

Sunday came and went in a blur and I felt myself rotting from the inside out. Leo didn’t know how to help, which wasn’t his fault. It was like asking for help pushing tectonic plates back together after an earthquake. He did say he’d ‘look into things’ but I couldn’t imagine that actually consisted of much.