‘It’s three in the fucking morning.’ His hands were on her thighs, moving under the waistband of her pyjama shorts. She wondered what she was doing – out of her house, in the woods, in something so flimsy? He was now pulling her shorts right down, and she let him, knowing it would be easier, unable to explain why she didn’t want to. Was he forcing her? No. She was just letting him, even though she didn’t want it. That was different.

Aaron was quickly unzipping his jeans, his breathing getting faster and faster, and then she was lying back. She could smell him. Sometimes she literally couldn’t cope with it, his aftershave, his hair gel. It sent her crazy. Aaron, the most popular guy in school, was her boyfriend. Was that even true? She knew lots of girls would give anything to be in her position, about to have sex with him.

‘Wait.’

‘What?’ he snapped.

‘I don’t know if I . . . I’m not ready.’

Aaron sat up. It was dark, but she could see he was cross. ‘You said you were!’

‘I know, but I – maybe I’m not.’

‘For Christ’s sake, Cassie. It’s been months now.’

‘I’m sorry.’ She wanted to cry. But Jake’s voice was in her head, saying don’t do it if you’re not sure, you can’t take it back. She was trying to get her shorts back on. Her bum was numb and cold. ‘I can’t.’

‘You can’t just say yes then say no!’

Cassie started trying to explain, trying to channel her mother, tell him that of course she could, that was how consent worked, but the words wouldn’t come. ‘I have to go.’ She scrambled up. ‘I . . . I’m sorry.’ She liked going, actually. Leaving while he still wanted her. She hated it when she could feel he wanted her to leave so he could play Call of Duty or watch Netflix. But this, to leave him like this, it was a big risk. Was she making a mistake?

His voice had gone low and cruel. ‘Walk away from me like this, you’ll regret it.’

‘Look, I just can’t right now, OK? Not tonight. I’m sorry.’

As she left him, he was standing on the wood path, only his pale face visible in the dark. And then she went back into the garden, squeezing round the side of the house, and everything was different, for ever. Now Jake was in prison, and her dad was in hospital and would maybe go to jail too if he ever woke up. And Aaron had finished with her. The rush of fear was so huge she couldn’t breathe for a moment. No. It wasn’t true. She’d held on to him for six months, longer than anyone thought. It would all be sorted out. Just as soon as she could prove her dad was innocent.