Despite her good intentions of dumping Dylan, her heart still ached when she thought of him. It had all been going so well until today. And now he’d just stalked off, not even caring how she got home.

She hoisted the bag onto her back and set off down the road towards the lane that led home. It would be muddy now – the rain was already pooling in pot-holes and gushing down drains.

She thought she heard something in the bushes. A rustling, a moan … but she couldn’t be sure and she hurried on, her head down.

She didn’t hear the car approach until it was right next to her.

‘Flora?’ said a voice she vaguely knew.

She looked up to see a large red face peering at her. He had the window down and rain was spotting his forehead, landing on his pale eyelashes, although he didn’t seem to notice. Or care. She recognized him as Speedy’s brother. Clive. That was his name. She’d only met him briefly a few days ago. She thought he seemed a bit leery. Beside him sat an older woman with a fluffy dog on her lap that looked like a bear. She’d seen Speedy with that dog and had raved about it to Heather.

‘This is my mum, Deirdre. Do you want a lift?’

It was so tempting. It was still a good ten-minute walk home, and she was cold and shivery. She didn’t like the way Clive’s eyes travelled to her chest but his mum was in the car. He was hardly going to do anything inappropriate with her there, was he?

‘Okay. Thanks,’ she said, getting into the back. The car smelt strongly of wet dog and there were cream dog hairs all over the fabric, but she didn’t care. She was warm and off her feet. That was all that mattered.

‘You poor thing, you look exhausted,’ said Deirdre.

‘That’s a shame. I was going to invite you to a party at mine,’ added Clive. She could see his eyes in his rear-view mirror. The pupils were huge so it was hard to see any iris. A party? She glanced at her watch. It was gone nine. It would be getting dark soon. She’d be in trouble with her mum if she was late. And Heather … She bristled when she thought about her sister and their fight. She’d never forgive her for breaking her Walkman.

‘Dylan will be there,’ Clive added, turning to grin at her. Then he put the car in first gear and moved away from the pavement. She stared through the rain-splattered window. The high street was deserted.

Dylan would be at the party. The thought was enticing. His cruel words of earlier filled her head. You’re a baby. Just like your sister. A fucking prissy small-town girl with no ambition.