I was about to grab a coat and head out, when a lump lodged itself in my throat. This could be dangerous… and my show wasn’t even over. That’s when Carrie skipped into the living room.

“Hey, something wrong?” she asked.

“Actually, I need you to do me a favour. You busy?”

“Nope, I finished my DNA model last night; Mrs Shitari will be so surprised! Things are finally looking up for me.” Carrie had suffered severe depression at 15 when her boyfriend dumped her for putting on weight. Now, a year later, she’s fit and a healthy, serious student.

“Great! Listen, a friend is waiting at Charlie’s to give me something. Could you run over and pick it up for me?”

“Sure thing. It’s Bill, right? He’s really cute.” Okay, not a very serious student, but she does concentrate in class.

“Bye!” I called out, and glued my eyes to the screen. I had no idea the next time I would see her would be on the ten o’clock news. 30 minutes later, I got a text:

Thanks 4 the slut, bro! I left the $$ at the address in her wallet.