He is standing on the far side of the roof space, leaning back against the wall. I see the silhouette of smoke curling above him against the inky sky. He sees me, and I see the flash of white teeth as he grins. He turns away, and then hoists himself up onto the wall. Sits.

‘Hello,’ he says. He tips his head towards the cabins. ‘Don’t bother to try and coerce me, darling. It’s not really my scene.’

I swallow. He doesn’t recognise me from here. I can make him out because I knew he was up here, and because I would recognise him with my eyes closed. But he can’t see me yet. Besides, I don’t really look much like I did the last time he saw me. And I’m out of context, he won’t be expecting to find me here at all. I smile to myself, pleased at the surprise.

‘I’m not here to coerce you,’ I say. ‘Not really my scene either. Thought you’d know that.’ I take a few steps closer, teasing it out.

He sounds amused. ‘Do I know you? I don’t think I saw you downstairs. Are you one of Hagan’s new girls?’

I shake my head. ‘I guess Hagan is the arrogant prick with the blond flick? I don’t think he likes me very much. I kind of blagged my way in.’

He laughs, then flicks his cigarette over the wall, turning to watch it fall. ‘I’ve never heard of anyone crashing one of Hagan’s gatherings before. Most girls run a mile once they realise what goes on here.’

‘And what about you?’ I say, taking a few more steps closer. I can see his face now, and I long to put my hands on his cheeks and pull him towards me, to feel his soft lips on mine. ‘Do you like what goes on here?’

His face darkens. ‘Not really,’ he says, under his breath, ‘but I’m pretty close to getting a job with the firm, and from what I can gather, this stuff is compulsory. This is my third time, and I’ve always just snuck up here and hidden in the corner for a while. I don’t think anyone has realised that I don’t partake.’ He pauses, peers at me. ‘Are you sure I don’t know you? There’s something a bit familiar about you.’

I smile and walk further over, until I am only a short distance away from him. He can’t fail to recognise me now.

‘It’s me,’ I say, tipping my head to the side and giving him a coquettish smirk. ‘Violet.’

He looks confused for a moment. ‘I don’t know anyone called Violet…’