I hover on the edges, observing with disgust. Why are these girls so interested in these hideous men? I don’t believe that they can’t find any better options. Sergei and Lev are far from the worst here, but I’m just not feeling it. I take another mouthful of beer then push myself through the crowd. I spot Carrie on the other side of the room, near the DJ. She’s huddled close to Sergei and I can’t make out if they are kissing or doing drugs as I can only see the backs of their heads. An angry-looking, harshly bleached blonde elbows me out of the way as I walk further towards Carrie and Sergei, and I feel a rush of blood threatening to burst out. I need to get Carrie and get the hell out of here.

‘Hey.’ I touch her shoulder, and she turns slowly to face me, and then I see what she’s doing.

‘Oh, hi,’ she says, the ‘i’ long and drawn on her smoky outbreath. ‘Have some.’

She thrusts the small pipe into my face, and I snatch it away, peering at the lit end, not believing what I’m seeing.

‘What the fuck? Didn’t we just talk about this?’ My cheeks burn with fury. How could she do this – it could’ve been both of us banged up in some Asian prison, not just her. She snatches the pipe back from me and rolls her eyes.

‘Jesus Christ, lighten up, bitch.’

Sergei laughs, and I feel the rage boiling deeper inside me.

‘Carrie, this is insane. Don’t you remember what this stuff did to us?’

It’s her turn to laugh. ‘Not really, V. But I think it was something good, yeah? Anyway, thought you’d be pleased. I had to suck both of the guards’ cocks to get this stuff over the border without a fuss. You’re so fucking ungrateful.’ She turns away, and her and Sergei start laughing again. She whispers something in his ear, and then he leans across to the DJ, moving the guy’s headphones and cupping his hands around his ear.

‘Fuck you, Carrie.’