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Robbie smirks, then kicks Richard’s foot with his trainer. “Come on, Richie, I need to go to the gym.”

“You’re always at the bloody gym.”

“It’s my favourite place, you know I only go there to check everyone out.”

“Exactly!” Richard yells, sitting up and smacking the back of his hand against my chest. “See! This is why I told you to stay away from him.”

Oh. My. God.

My face must be beet red from how fucking hot it is. I glare at my brother, unable to look at Robbie. “Goodbye, Dick.”

He ignores me and stands up, wobbling like a baby deer. “Yeah, yeah. I’m going.”

Robbie turns to leave, and my eyes betray me, going straight to his shorts. The high slits on the sides flap open, showing the bottom of his arse cheek and the crease where it meets his thigh⁠—

“What was that about not having an infatuation?” Bailey pokes me.

“Shut the fuck up.”

NOAH

“Noah, don’t look!”

“I’m not looking, I have my eyes covered. Now go hide before I count to ten.”

Shadows move in front of my face. Jamie must be waving his hand to check if I can see him.

“One.”

He squeaks, then runs off to hide. I wait, listening to work out which way he went.

“Two.”

Everything is silent. I can’t hear Jamie at all now.

“Three.”

An awful screeching rings in my ears, and my eyes fly open. I can’t see anything—it’s pitch black. I stumble around, hands out in front of me, trying to find a door or a light switch.

Two bright beams flicker on, blinding me. I walk towards the lights, shielding my eyes until I come to a car.

It’s blue.

My heart gallops in my chest. I already know what I’ll find, but it doesn’t stop me from walking to the driver’s window.

I place my hand on the cool glass and peer in. A woman is slumped forward, dark-brown hair covering her face.

“Mam?” I knock on the glass, but she doesn’t move.

“Mummy?” I whimper. I pull the door handle, then kick the car in frustration.

A cry comes from the back, and I quickly move to the window behind the driver. Two young boys with black curls are in there, trapped, just like Mum.

The closest boy turns to look at me, his wide grey eyes identical to my own.

“Jamie won’t wake up,” he cries.

I gasp awake, panting.