To be on the safe side, she showered and dressed before looking for Rupert. She didn't want to go to his room in her nightclothes - didn't want to do anything that might result in them being forbidden to see each other.

But she had been forestalled. Rupert's mum was already in the room, sitting in the chair by the bed. Rupert was, as far as she could tell, fast asleep.

"Is he all right?"she whispered. Heather's head jerked upright and Samantha realised she had been ...