She falls back onto the bed. ‘No, you don’t, Violet,’ she says, gently. She flips onto her side and faces me. ‘You just think you do, because it’s all been so intense. We’ve been in each other’s pockets since we met. You know, I’ve been thinking…’ She pauses, sits up again, swinging her legs back round off the bed. ‘I think maybe we should go our separate ways after this. You need to carry on with your trip how you want it, and I—’

Tears spring to my eyes, making them itch. ‘No. Please. That’s the last thing I want.’ I take a few deep breaths, trying to calm myself down. I don’t want to do this. I don’t want to sound desperate, or make a fool of myself. ‘This is just like what happened with Sam. I can’t believe I’ve been used and let down again.’

Carrie sighs. ‘Look, you’re blowing this all out of proportion. Let’s go to the party. Have a laugh.’ She comes over to me and puts an arm around me, squeezing me into her side. ‘We’ve had so many laughs. We’ve made so many memories. Let’s not spoil it though, eh?’

I swallow down salty tears, then I nod. I don’t want her to see me like this. I want to be the fun, sexy Violet that she’s been hanging out with.

‘Come on then,’ I say. ‘Let’s go.’ If I’ve only got one night to convince her that we should stay together, then I need to sort myself out fast. ‘You know, I think I’ve got PMT.’

She laughs, then grabs her bag, and heads for the door.

I follow her, because that’s what I always do. She can kick me as many times as she likes, and I’ll still want her. I’ll still love her. Won’t I?

The thumping bassline leads us to the right door. I knock, hard, but I don’t expect anyone to hear it. I’m about to tell Carrie we should just go in, when the door swings open and the smiling bulk of Sergei stands in the doorway. He’s holding a bottle of Baltika lager in one hand, and a cigarette in the other.

‘Ladies … you made it.’ He seems genuinely pleased, even more so when he clocks Carrie, standing a little behind me, hidden in the shadows. She steps out into the light and his eyes seem to darken immediately. He grins wider, looking her up and down. ‘This is your friend? Hello, friend,’ he says.

‘I’m Carrie,’ she says, stepping forwards and taking the cigarette out of his fingers. She takes a drag, then blows a perfect smoke ring into his face.

He turns to me. ‘I like your friend.’

Carrie follows him into the house, and I follow her.