He lets me go and takes a step back. ‘Oh, not so much fun tonight, maybe? I think your friend is having all the fun though.’

I turn back to see Carrie laughing hard, swigging from the champagne bottle. Sergei has a meaty arm draped over her shoulders, and he is leaning in, whispering something in her ear. He’s stroking her cheek.

A burst of annoyance pops inside me. Why can’t she just be here with me? Why does there always have to be a fucking man involved in her fun? Does she have so little self-esteem that the only way she can enjoy herself is to have male attention? I think back to the Gobi trip, and how she led Rory on – all for her own amusement. He was all mouth, when it came to it – all over her but not brave enough to see it through and make a proper move. I watch Sergei, at the way he is hulking over her, and I think she’d better be careful. I don’t think he’s going to be a fan of her little games.

I snatch up a bottle of lager from a cooler box on the worktop and take a long drink. Lev has gone. Disappeared into the crowd – I was clearly not up for the kind of fun he had in mind, and to be honest I’m glad he’s left me to it.

When I turn back, Carrie has gone.

Panic washes over me for a moment. I don’t want to be here. My heart thumps in time with the bassline that’s still pulsing through from the other room. I should go back to the hotel, forget this place. Leave Carrie to it. I don’t like the way she’s trying to play my emotions – one minute my best friend, the next she’s off with whoever takes her fancy. Why am I not enough for her?

Why am I not enough for anyone?

I down the beer and take another one from the cooler, then I wander back through to the main room, where all the action is happening. Maybe I should go with Lev – he’s keen enough for us both. But there’s something about this place, this party, the whole set-up, that makes my insides itch.