Yes, she was different to them, but she didn’t know how to deal with it yet. She hadn’t got her own head around who she was, so that made isolating herself and retreating her only option. The more she retreated, the quicker the bullying had picked up speed. They began hurtling insults at her like grenades, spreading rumours, hitting out at her with their hockey sticks when the coach’s back was turned and pinching her skin until it bruised as they ganged up and surrounded her in the toilet block.

But then she had met Diana and suddenly she didn’t care about the bruises. This beautiful, smart, confident woman was actually interested in talking to her! Wanted to spend time with her! It gave her the power and confidence to stand up to her tormentors. When they texted abuse and insults, she replied with selfies of her with Diana or a selfie of her staring straight into the screen, flipping her middle finger at them.

If they prodded, she poked back, started kicking out her feet and laughing as they pinched. And it felt good. Their power diminished while hers grew.

Diana was not pleased when she found out that Lydia had texted out the selfie of them together. She wanted their relationship to be kept a secret, saying that Matt wouldn’t understand. He would be heartbroken, considering how much he liked Diana himself. Lydia knew she was right. Matt had a weirdly unhealthy obsession with Diana, stalked her socials, constantly texted her, apparently wouldn’t leave her alone at college.

And then she told Diana she loved her – and Diana had stood silent for a moment.

Then Diana laughed, a cruel, patronising laugh.

One moment. One bad decision that sets off a domino reaction.

And before you know it, you have blood on your hands.

40

THEN

“Hey, losers!” A voice rips through the moment, just as I am about to reach out and take Tracey’s hand. I jump. Brian and his three mates tumble through the door, pushing and shoving at each other, already drinking from cans of beer. I get to my feet, but Tracey stays where she is.

“Hey, guys,” I say brightly.

“Is this it?” he says, looking around. “Cool pool, but where is everyone?”

“You’re the first here.”

I can see Jason over his shoulder. He smiles when he sees me.

“Lads, pool time!” Brian starts taking his clothes off, dropping them at his feet, until he is wearing only a pair of brightly coloured surf shorts, his skinny torso transparently white against the neon fabric. He runs and launches himself into the pool, splashing Tracey in the process.

“Guys! Chill, would you?” I say.

“This is a party, isn’t it?” he replies.