June nodded, understanding what I was asking. ‘Heath had changed his mind at the last minute. Decided that we wouldn’t be going. That appearances were less important than keeping me away from you. And I was so mad, I – we were at his place, and all I could think was that it wasn’t fair. It wasn’t fair that I had to live like this. He’d already taken most of my teenage years, and then you came, and you were someone that actually made me happy – and now we couldn’t even have that. It all just came to a head. I managed to leave as soon as I could, like, with the dance almost over so he wouldn’t be suspicious, and I was so worried I wouldn’t make it, but I did and … dude, I’m so sorry. I’m so sorry I did that.’

‘Why? No, it –’

‘I made you uncomfortable. I know I did.’

I shook my head. ‘It wasn’t you. Just … I knew it was wrong. I knew something was wrong and that tainted the whole thing.’

‘He found out I went.’

‘How?’

June swallowed. ‘He was tracking my phone.’

‘Yeah, he was texting me.’

‘Of course he fucking was. Afterwards, he forced me to make that horrible phone call. I felt awful. I’m not sure I’ve ever felt more awful. He said he’d hurt you. He said he’d hurt you if I ever spoke to you again.’

‘So then … why tonight? What happened?’

‘I ended it. For good. And he knew I was serious. He knew I was so done, so completely, entirely done, and he knew I had you, but he convinced me to – I’m so sorry, I didn’t know he was going to try to get you too, and I would have said something but I was so afraid he’d hurt you.’

I shook my head. ‘Don’t worry. It’s OK.’ I looked at her and smirked. ‘In one piece.’

That made her cry.

‘Oh God, I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to –’

She smiled. ‘No. It’s just … thank you.’

‘For what?’