‘That’s not possible. Jack would never hurt me.’
At least she still knew who he was. ‘Have you known each other long?’
‘A couple of weeks. I met him at a university event. We got on well, exchanged numbers, went out a couple of times. He even took me to meet his friends.’
I tried to recall if I’d ever seen her before, but I was always too focused on Ashton and his friends to notice anybody else. ‘Did anything ever strike you as, I don’t know, a bit weird?’
‘No, not really. Just… afterwards, I felt a bit funny sometimes. Like, I’d be drinking a normal amount, not too much or anything, but I was just constantly knackered, like I had the worst hangover of all time. I even blacked out once or twice, and I never do that.’
‘And Jack? Did he ever bother you, put any pressure on you?’
Paulina didn’t hesitate. ‘No. I mean, we kissed, but that’s as far as it went. I wanted to, though–wantto. I like him. I… I’d do anything for him.’
I felt goosebumps rise on my skin. Not because of the words themselves, but because of the way she said them. I heard it every time Zoe talked about Ashton: the unconcealed devotion and admiration that smoothed the edges off every syllable. ‘Do you remember what happened yesterday?’ I persisted hoarsely. ‘Did he tell you to do it?’
‘No, that would be… No. All I remember is that I bumped into him in the courtyard and asked if he wanted to hang out. He was being sort of grumpy, but he wouldn’t tell me why. There was another guy with him, a friend of his, one of that group he’s always hanging out with.’
‘Victor.’
‘Yeah. We were chatting, and… it was nice. I always feel so warm when I’m with Jack. Everything feels so much lighter and more bearable.’ Her voice was softening. I could almost see her smiling dreamily. Until she coughed again. ‘Anyway, and then…I don’t know, it’s all a blur.’ She broke off and took several gulps of air, as if trying to breathe the memories in.
‘It’s all right,’ I said, as gently as I could, although I wished she could remember more. I’d heard enough of Victor and Jack’s conversation to be convinced, but I hadn’t recorded it, and whatever Jack had said to her, only the two of them knew what it was. She was the only person who could report him to the police. Him and his friends. I closed my eyes as instantly another face crossed my mind.Not now.
‘Do you think he’ll come to visit me?’
It took me a moment to realise who she was talking about. I frowned, exasperated. Apart from the fact that Jack was obviously involved in what had happened to her, I’d seen how he treated her. How could she have forgotten? ‘Do you want him to?’
‘I shouldn’t, should I?’ She was still trying to sound upbeat, until she suddenly started sobbing, so heart-rendingly that I felt the tears well up in my own eyes. ‘Then why do I feel like I’ll fall apart if I don’t get to see him again? I feel so empty inside. Like I’ve already… disappeared.’
* * *
My professor was leaving the room as I came back. She gave me a nod, eyebrows raised, but not even her disapproval upset me. How could it, after everything that had happened?
Zoe was sliding her folder into her bag, while the others drifted one by one out of the room. ‘Everything okay?’ she asked.
‘I spoke to Paulina on the phone.’
‘Poor girl, I really hope she gets the help she needs.’ Zoe pulled a sympathetic face. I’d given her a quick run-down of the incident over breakfast. Specifically, I’d censored everything except for the fact that I’d found Paulina on the bridge and then jumped in after her to rescue her. I didn’t know how to tell Zoe the rest without risking an argument.
I shoved my things distractedly into my bag. ‘She says she wasn’t trying to kill herself. She doesn’t know why she did it.’ Idarted Zoe an uncertain glance. I knew it was unwise, but I couldn’t hold it in. ‘She went out with Jack a couple of times. He’s one of Ashton’s friends.’
Zoe had been combing her fingers through her hair, but now she froze and narrowed her eyes ominously. ‘Mabel?—’
‘No, listen,’ I interrupted, taking a step closer. ‘She was at their parties too, and the way she talks about Jack is exactly the same way you talk about Ashton.’
Zoe crossed her arms and leant back against the table. ‘So what? Being in love isn’t a disease.’
I knew it was the worst possible reaction, but I couldn’t help myself: I snorted derisively. Not that I disapproved of the sentiment: I was just appalled at the person she had chosen to fall in love with. And because I was so sure he didn’t share her feelings. ‘That’s not love, it’s… I don’t know, an addiction. Something unhealthy, at any rate. He’s just using you–he doesn’t actually care about you at all. Like Jack doesn’t care about Paulina.’
Zoe blinked, wounded. ‘Wow, thanks.’
‘It’s got nothing to do with you, it’s not your fault,’ I added hurriedly. ‘But those people are dangerous. And they’ve been dangerous for a really long time.’
‘What are you talking about?’
‘I’m talking about the League of Starlings,’ I blurted. I could almost see Davie face-palming, but I pressed on, ignoring my guilty conscience. Ihadto tell Zoe. After everything that had happened to June and Paulina, I had to make sure she learnt the truth. Or at least the part I knew. ‘It’s the name of a secret society that Ashton and the others are members of. It’s been around for more than a century, and it’s been linked since the very beginning to dozens of crimes and… deaths.’
‘Deaths?’ Zoe stared at me, baffled. Clearly Ashton hadn’t mentioned anything about it.
