‘Come on, get packed. We’re leaving in ten.’ Martin puts another can of Coke on the floor beside my bed and disappears back outside. He’s pissed off with me, which is fair enough, I suppose. He probably imagined some tantric sex on top of that miniature mountain with the pile of stones on top. If he’s pissed off, Rory must be fuming.

I sit up slowly, and notice that Martin has also left me a packet of painkillers next to my second can of Coke. Even annoyed, he’s a good Boy Scout. I feel bad for leading him on, but it’d just been one of those things, caught in the moment. There was never a hope that I’d sleep with him. I take a sip and lick again at my chapped lips. They don’t just feel dry, but cracked at the edges, and a bit swollen and bruised. A memory hits me. Carrie’s voice: Close your eyes. Carrie’s touch: her fingers on my lips.

The sound of the Land Rover starting up knocks the rest of the memory away. It’s so close to the surface, I know it’ll come back. I pick up my backpack, and, ignoring the pounding in the back of my skull, I throw everything inside. There’s something stuffed into the side pocket, taking up the space where I usually put my smaller toiletries, so I shove them into the main section instead. I don’t bother to see what it is. I can sort the bag out properly later, before we get back on the train.

They’re all waiting for me in the van.

‘Morning, Violet,’ Sarnai says. ‘I think you had a good time at the festival last night?’ She giggles, and I manage to give her a small smile.

Carrie is wedged up against the window, her head against her rolled-up hoodie. She has her bag beside her on the seat so that no one can sit next to her. She doesn’t speak but a flash of her eyes tells me that she’s just as messed up as I am right now. She looks grey and clammy. I imagine I must look the same.

‘About time,’ Rory mutters. He’s in the same position as Carrie, one seat in front. I ignore him, and take the single seat behind Martin, who, at least, manages a proper smile.

‘You look a bit better than you did half an hour ago.’

‘I don’t feel it.’