Justin’s waiting for you at the resort!

‘Good God – James?’

You recognise that voice.

And you spit on the decking, unable to do much more, eyes barely staying open. Not him. Not here.

Because of course, Justin’s waiting for you.

‘Are you all right?’ he demands, with pitch-perfect concern. Around you, dancers scuttle off to the sides of the floor, looking horrified. You don’t blame them – leaking from a hundred tiny cuts, clothes ripped and stained with blood, you probably look like a disaster victim.

‘Please, sir, step aside.’ Alan’s voice cuts through the clamor, calm and in control. ‘There’s a possibility this man has been infected with something, and I need everyone to stay away until we’ve run some tests.’

Your head sags, and Justin nods somberly. ‘Please, anything I can do to help – he’s a friend,’ you hear him saying to Alan. ‘I’ll have the waiters call someone – I’ll stay with him until the ambulance arrives…’

Then another voice cuts through the night, shocked and scared.

‘Oh my God, James?’

You were hoping she wouldn’t see you.

You were hoping she’d be holed up in your room, calling you, or searching along the beach.

But Emma’s still here, and her eyes widen at the sight of you staggering through the dance floor, bloodied and battered, Alan’s shoulder the only thing holding you up.

‘What happened?’ she demands, and it’s only Alan’s other arm flashing out that stops her catching hold of you.

‘Sorry, ma’am,’ he says urgently, ‘but your boyfriend might be infected with a dangerous substance. It’s imperative we all stay calm and give him space.’

Emma looks horrified.

‘Infected with what?’ she stammers, looking like she’s about to cry. ‘He just vanished – I don’t know where he went –’

‘Maybe we should ask James,’ you hear Justin say, and he can’t quite keep the mocking tone out of his voice. Emma whirls on him.

‘You – shut the fuck up,’ she snarls. All around you, tourists gasp. The atmosphere’s suddenly turned electric.

Justin raises his hands in acceptance. ‘I’m just saying – maybe we should find out what happened first –‘

CRACK.

Even from your slumped position, you hear the slap echoing across the water.

Justin raises a hand slowly to his cheek, stunned. He looks like he can’t quite believe what’s happened.

Emma just slapped him. So hard his teeth rattled.

‘I know you had something to do with this,’ Emma hisses, every word a threat. ‘I know you, remember? And if you don’t get out of my fucking way, so help me God, I will smack you again until you stay plastered.’