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I sit in the shadows, watching the magic show and the singing contest. I take note that my mum tries to cheer me up, and I’m grateful to her, but I’m not feeling anything but a hollow emptiness.

But I can’t wait for this awful night to end. I want to get it over and done with so I can go home and try to forget everything, as it feels like the best way to move on.

Robbie passes our table and my dad stands up and stops him.

“I’m impressed with you, young man. I think you’ll go far,” he says, holding out his hand for Robbie to shake. Robbie smiles and takes his hand, and my dad hands Robbie an envelope. “Here’s a little something to help towards your studies. ”

Robbie looks down at the envelope and smiles, then accepts it.

“Thank you, Mr Houseman. Also for that trouble with Penny.”

My father’s face forms into a puzzled frown and Robbie continues.

“She says it was mine but you know how these girls are.” He gives a little shrug.

My dad swipes the envelope back from Robbie and sits back down at the table. He gives me a thoughtful look before turning his attention back to the front of the room.

Performers and staff start congregating on the stage and the band starts up. They begin an anthem, a song about the resort. Some of the guests join in on the chorus, so I suppose it’s one they sing every year.

A shadow falls across the table. I look up and see it’s Johnny. My breath catches in surprise and my heart starts hammering on the inside of my ribcage. Dressed all in black, he looks as gorgeous as ever. He gives my dad a challenging look, and then he turns to me.

“Baby should never be put in a corner.”