Page 44

Sophie

I clutched Lily’s hand as the car tore away with a screech of brakes and booming music.

‘I’m sorry I’ve ruined everything for you!’ I cried.

‘You haven’t.’

Lily was lying, obviously , but I loved her for it.

‘The only thing that matters is that we’re together.’ She squeezed my hand, before tugging at her seat belt.

I tried to put mine on, but it wouldn’t click into the holder. I wrapped my arm in the strap and leaned forward, catching a strong whiff of vomit. Priti was asleep, head lolling against the window, and Vinny pounded the steering wheel with both hands.

‘Can you slow down? We’re not strapped in yet.’

‘Soz, they’re knackered.’

‘That’s what Tom said!’ Lily flashed me a worried look.

I touched the base of my neck, but my Mobius strip pendant was gone – I’d flung it at Adam. Even in my drunken state I knew he was right – getting into Vinny’s car was a terrible idea.

I clutched Lily. ‘I’ll hold on to you, I promise. I won’t let go. We’ll be there soon.’

Priti woke up with a jolt and wound down the window, sticking out her head.

‘Go, go, go!’ she hollered.

‘Let’s get to this paaaaarty!’ Vinny slammed his foot on the accelerator.

Lily clutched me, her face pale. ‘I’m going to be sick.’

‘Hey, Vinny! Ease up.’

‘Nah.’

‘Okay, we’ve changed our minds. Pull over and we’ll walk from here, thanks.’

He turned around, glaring, making the car veer. ‘I’m not losing valuable drinking time. We’re almost there, so why don’t you shut up?’

‘Keep your eyes on the road, for God’s sake!’ I pleaded.

The car swerved again and Lily screamed as thorny shrubs thudded against our window. I hugged her tighter.

‘That’s it, you lunatic,’ I shouted. ‘Let us out!’

‘Fuck you, Sophie!’ Vinny yelled back.

He rammed the accelerator harder and leaned across Priti, scrabbling with the glove-box handle as we turned the corner. I had opened my mouth to yell at him when white lights dazzled the windscreen, blinding me.

Time seemed to slow down as a car hurtled towards us. Then the seconds sped up.

The horrifying thud of impact rang out, followed by a grinding, splintering noise.

A single scream stabbed my eardrums, and fireworks detonated inside my head.

Pain ricocheted through my whole body.

Lily was ripped from my arms and flew forward.