I take a step closer. ‘Ohhh, sorry,’ I say. ‘You didn’t know me as Violet, did you?’ I slap my forehead with the heel of my hand. ‘So silly. I got the new ID on the Khao San Road. I’d forgotten that was after you left me.’

‘Ronnie? That’s it, isn’t it?’ he says, shaking his head. ‘Jesus, is that you? You fucking mad bitch. Stefan and Pauli told me I should’ve called the police on you, but I was worried you’d end up in one of those crazy Thai prisons – and no one deserves that, not even you…’

It’s my turn to look confused. ‘You left me, Sam. We were happy … we were—’

‘We were nothing. You stalked me and tricked me into a one-night stand and then you fucking robbed me…’

‘You said we were going to travel together.’

He snorts. ‘Did I fuck! Bloody hell, wait until the guys hear that you’ve turned up. How did you even find me?’

The rage starts to bubble. ‘You’re such a fucking narcissist, Sam, checking in every place you go on Facebook. It’s not hard to keep track.’

‘And you’re a fucking fantasist! Jesus. Have you been keeping track on me since Bangkok?’

I take a step closer, giving him my best smile. I flick my hair back, then I smooth down my dress. I raise an eyebrow, saying, ‘Look at what you’re missing.’

He shakes his head. ‘What have you done to yourself? I barely recognise you. You know, I don’t think Hagan is going to like it much that you’ve crashed in here. He’ll try to put you to work. You should go.’

He shuffles back a bit on the wall, and I see from the look on his face that he’s not comfortable with me showing up like this. Fair enough; maybe I should’ve messaged him first to let him know – but then what would be the fun in that?

His look changes again, and I realise it’s not discomfort. It’s fear.

Good. I gave him a chance to be nice to me. I gave him a chance to want me.

‘Look … what do you want, Ronn—’

‘Violet. It’s Violet. You know what I want. I want to take everything.’ I pause, then lower my voice. ‘…Don’t I, Courtney?’

He shifts on the wall once more. ‘Who the fuck is Courtney?’

I smile at him. Courtney Love’s voice fills my head. The song – my namesake – keeps playing in my head, and I forget that only I can hear it.