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“Remember how that feels too,” he said, “and maybe we can avoid a repeat performance of last night.”

“Why are you being so horrid?” I whispered, and I couldn’t stop the tears. They fell in earnest.

“Because I’m still furious with you, Emily.”

“I said I’m sorry. I won’t do it again.”

“Damn right, you won’t. I’ll never let you out again—well, not until you’re eighteen and no longer my responsibility. Do you have any idea what could have happened to you? That boy you were dancing with was all over you. You’re not even on the pill, are you?”

I gasped, wide-eyed and mortified. “It’s not like that. He’s just a friend,” I mumbled in my defense. “I’ve never—” I cupped my head, trying to contain thumping temples and my shame, unable to bear his disapproval. My whole life I’d spent being “good,” and now, one slip, one mistake, and I was dealing with Dylan’s overreaction.

“Yes, and until yesterday, you would have said you’ve never taken drugs either. Well, I assume you’ve never had any before. Who knows what would have happened if I hadn’t turned up.”

“Please stop, please. I’m sorry,” I cried and started to sway.

Dylan swore and was at my side in a moment, lifting me gently off the chair.

Once put on the floor, I stepped out of his reach, like he’d whipped me. “Don’t touch me,” I hissed, and he stepped back, stung. “And for your information, I haven’t taken drugs before, because I lived in a sleepy little hamlet and I didn’t go out much because I liked to be at home with my family and just paint and play my cello and read. Read until my eyes hurt.”

My voice rose an octave and grew louder as anger coursed through me. How dare he!

“And why should I be on the pill? I’m only seventeen, for fuck’s sake. I’ve led a sheltered life. I’ve never had a boyfriend, never had sex. In fact, I know very few boys. The only one I do know is dead. So he can’t hurt me.”

Fury coursed through my veins, and I picked up the nearest object, the tea caddy, and I threw it at him. Dylan ducked and I missed him while tea bags flew all over the floor. Panting and glowering at him, I stood with my fists clenched, my head pounding and scorching tears of anger rolling down my face.

“Have you quite finished?” he asked, his voice arctic and his eyes blazing.

Stunned, I stared at him. He opened the middle cupboard and took out a black plastic box. In it, there were household medicines. Taking out the paracetamol, he placed two tablets on the island.

“Take these and then you can clean this mess up,” he said, his voice barely audible, and he turned and stalked out of the kitchen carrying the black box.

It was as if he’d slapped me. I sank to the floor in despair. Cold and aloof, Lulu had said. Now I knew what she meant. Wrapping my arms around myself, I started to weep. Shame and guilt washed through me. Dylan didn’t deserve this. I owed him so much. It wasn’t his fault that I’d been dumped on him, but how could he say those things? How could he be so mean?

I didn’t stay down long. I had to take the tablets. My headache was making me feel sick. I downed them and resumed my seat on the floor, waiting for the pain in my head to ease.

A few minutes later, Lulu bustled into the kitchen dressed in a white sleeveless shirt, a tight navy-blue pencil skirt, and navy-blue flats.

“What’s happened in here? Why are you on the floor? Is this why he’s in such a bad mood? I don’t think he’s slept. Emily, you can be so challenging at times,” she scolded as she crossed her arms and stared down at me. “You look very pale this morning. I’m not surprised after the little show you gave us last night.” She sounded surprisingly sympathetic. “Let me tidy this mess up.”

“No, Lulu. I’ll do it. I’ve been given my orders,” I said. “I’m just waiting for the pain in my head to ease.”

“How did all the tea end up on the floor?”

“I threw the tea caddy at Dylan.”

Lulu’s mouth popped open. “Well, you are full of surprises. Was he giving you a hard time?”

“Yes.”

“I know what that’s like,” she muttered.

Lulu disappeared into the utility room and returned with the broom. In spite of my protests, she swept the tea bags up, put them in the bin, picked up the tea caddy, and put it back on the worktop.

“Right, I’m off to Milan. And just so you know, Melina is coming today. She’s Dylan’s cleaner. I think she’s been in Poland for the past few weeks. I hope you and Dyl work it out. He’s having a shower. Try not to be too hard on him, Emily. This is all new to him too. Okay. Bye.”

“Bye, Lulu, and thank you,” I whispered, but she was already in the hall and probably couldn’t hear me. Lulu had moments of pure kindness, and I had no idea why that took me by surprise. I rose unsteadily and decided to go back to bed.

“Where do you think you’re going?” Dylan asked as I paused outside my bedroom door. He stood on the landing, his expression impassive.