I found Ellen with Bouncer in the box room the performers used for a kitchen. She was gargling saltwater, one of her many rituals before she went onstage; she’d even made me do it once and laughed when I swallowed some down by mistake. Bouncer trotted over to me and put his wet nose in my hand, but when she saw it was me, Ellen spat out the water and called him back to heel sharply. She made to leave the room, but I blocked the door. There wouldn’t be another chance for us to talk properly and I was determined to say my piece.

‘You’re singing tonight?’

‘What’s it to you?’ she said.

So, it was going to be like that, then.

‘I didn’t sleep with him,’ I said.

Ellen shrugged her shoulders, making out as if she didn’t care, but I could tell she was hurting. Our friendship had always contained more than a dash of rivalry, but surely she knew I’d never let a man come between us, and certainly not one like Crillick. She resumed her preparations, stretching her arms, warbling her scales as if I wasn’t standing there, and though I’d come to make peace I started to get annoyed.

‘It’s fine if you don’t want to believe me, Ellen, but Crillick will back me up. You should ask him.’

Of course, I knew she wouldn’t. She was too afraid he’d leave her to hold him to account. It pained me to think she’d never see that she was too good for him. Ellen stopped what she was doing and spun around to face me.

‘How dare you say his name to me, you little harlot.’

There was a noise behind us and I turned to see the back of one of the dancers who’d probably come to get a drink, seen us rowing and thought better of it.

‘You see, no one wants to be around you, Zillah. Even a girl as sweet as Marie.’

‘Everything’s my fault, is it? Crillick can do no wrong, but it’s fine to freeze me out? I know it’s you who told the others not to speak to me.’

‘You shouldn’t have done it, Zillah.’

‘I didn’t. I wouldn’t do that to you.’